Legends of Dracula (A & E Biography (Lerner Paperback)) [Paperback]

Tom Streissguth (Author), Thomas Streissguth (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up | Series: A & E Biography (Lerner Paperback)

Also known as Vlad the Impaler, Prince Dracula ruled near Transylvania more than 500 years ago and was notorious throughout Europe as a fierce tyrant who tortured and murdered many people. When writer Bram Stoker combined Dracula's blood-thirsty reputation with popular vampire folklore, the literary character Count Dracula was born. With his sharp teeth, pale skin, and staring eyes, he continues to rule the world of horror today. Author Tom Streissguth tells the chilling tale of the real-life Prince Dracula, relates vampire legends, and shows how these stories--as well as Bela Lugosi's definitive film portrayal of Dracula--have created one of the most terrifying figures of popular culture. Dracula and other tales of vampires returning from the dead to drink the blood of the living have haunted the world for centuries. But unlike many of the old superstitions, the legend of Dracula isn't just another scary story.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Author Tom Streissguth (Lerner, 1999) provides an exhaustive, battle-by-battle history of Vlad the Impaler. Vlad, or Prince Dracula, earned his reputation by impaling his subjects and enemies on a regular basis. Streissguth moves from the Balkans to discuss Bram Stoker's Dracula, the play; Dracula, the movie; actor Bela Lugosi; and reviews a few later Dracula movies. Listeners looking for some good old fashioned blood-letting may be disappointed by the many details such as political infighting in the 1400's, the state of Hollywood in the 1930's, and the woes of Bela Lugosi in his later years. Narrator Scott Brick takes us through over 500 years of Dracula with a uninteresting, studious voice. His dry synopsis of Stoker's book will leave listeners craving a good scare. This audiobook will be disappointing for Dracula fans, and too long-winded for the marginally interested.
Todd Dunkelberg, Deschutes Public Library System, OR
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publications (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822596822
• ISBN-13: 978-0822596820
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,936,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Biography should read NOt about the real Romanain prince, January 15, 2011

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Neannalina "Neannalina" (Iowa) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Legends of Dracula (Biography (Lerner Hardcover)) (Hardcover)

This is not a book about the real Romanian prince Vlad Dracula, it has some historicla facts, but it is mainly a book intertwining the real prince with the mythical one created by Bram Stoker.if anyone has studeid Bram Stoker's book, they would see the notes at the Rosenbach museum in Philidelphia, Bram had next to nothing in information about the real Romanian prince Vlad Dracula.During the time Bram wrote 'Dracula' he only had available one or two books on the Romanian Prince. This book stated that most of Vlad Dracula's crimes were over exaggerated, then on the next page prior, they say that Dracula showed no pity for his horrendous crimes. First they say most were exaggerated, and then they use them as historical evidence, then, they state something about his character, when the man died over 500 years ago and they use only their opinion, and not FACTS about him. There are some errors in this outdated version, such as the large circles of impaled victims. This was not at Timpa hill in Brasov, but in Targoviste, outside Vlad's capital. The population of Brasov was @13,000 in the 14th century and also in the Brasov archives, it states Vlad only impaled 40 cheating merchants. Whoever else got in his way to stop him obviously got hurt. This is why the figure of 30,000 impaled outside of Brasov is a very EXAGGERATED figure. This book is a good read, but only if you know the difference between the two Dracula's:Mythical and Real.