:"Vampire!" The very word conjures up visions of ruined castles, of enigmatic, pale-skinned noblemen shrouded in dark cloaks, of slumbering beauties being bloodily ravished by supernatural, nocturnal creatures. But just how accurate is that picture? How much do we really know about these mysterious entities? Surprisingly, perhaps, almost every culture can boast of its own vampire beings, few of which correspond to the stock Hollywood image-some are not even human in form, some do not drink blood, some appear in daylight. Are you ready for such horrors as the Penangal, the screaming blood-soaked lead that drifts through the Malayan jungle seeking victims; the Jaracacca, the Brazilian stalker that hides in the clothes of its victims to drink their blood or bodily fluids; or the Aswang, the scaly demon of the Philippines, who lies among the leafy roofs of huts and drinks through its tongue? And how do we dispose of vampires? Is the simple stake through the heart-much beloved of Hollywood directors-really enough, or is there something more? And does the sight of the crucifix repel all vampires-what if the vampire is Jewish (a dibbyuk)? Vampires is a unique, lavishly illustrated work that explores the rich diversity of vampire belief and lore, ranging from countries as diverse as Japan, Sweden and Ireland, looking at their historical origins, and setting them in their cultural context. Dr. Bob Curran is a native of Northern Ireland, born and raised in the Mourne Mountains area of County Down, a region steeped in folklore and legend. Throughout a varied life, he has worked in many fields-as a gravedigger, professional musician, journalist, and civil servant. He is now a history teacher and well known throughout Ireland and beyond as a writer and broadcaster. He has written extensively, in English and several other languages, on various aspects of history and folklore and acted as advisor to the Cultural Committee of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly. Bob has authored numerous titles including: Bloody Irish: Great Irish Vampire Stories and Banshees, Beasts & Brides from the Sea.
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Bob Curran is a broadcaster, writer, teacher, and researcher he has written a number of books including Vampires, Encyclopedia of the Undead, Walking with the Green Man, Celtic Lore and Legend, and Lost Lands, Forgotten Realms, all published by New Page Books. Bob was born in a remote area of Northern Ireland and has held a number of jobs--grave-digger, journalist, musician, and hospital porter among them. He travelled in many parts of the world, exploring the cultures and traditions of other peoples before returning to Northern Ireland to take several University degrees. He currently lives in Northern Ireland with his wife and young family.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Trust any book on the supernatural by Bob Curran!,
By Amanda Pike (NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Vampires: A Field Guide to the Creatures That Stalk the Night (Paperback)
Dr. Bob Curran won my respect with his book on werewolves. He is concise while also providing valid facts and research into the paranormal and into folklore. His writing style is simple while at the same time presenting a great many useful tidbits of information. This is an author that I highly respect and recommend. Anyone who studies the paranormal, history, and folklore should appreciate this man's writing. He is a breath of fresh air in the wake of far too many supernatural reference guides with a slant toward this or that author's favorite work of fiction or personal bias within the subject such as a different author's predisposition toward the study of "psychic vampires". Bob Curran does not use a bias. He writes with a professional straight forwardness that I completely admire and respect. I would recommend any title by this author written as a tool of research into folklore and the paranormal.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Vampires Field Guide Review,
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This review is from: Vampires: A Field Guide to the Creatures That Stalk the Night (Paperback)
It's probably way too soon to even give this book a fair review... but 70 pages in and I'm finding mistakes and errors.
The first two entries for starters... Tomte and Wood-Wives... incorrect information there about them. Yes the Tomte can have a bad temper and aren't always nice... I wouldn't place them as vampiric entities. And the Wood-Wives, none of my other books regarding Vampire or Faerie Lore, ect reference Wood-Wives as having a vampiric nature. Are there creatures of Faerie with vampiric tendencies. Yes there are. El Chupacabra, Curran's done better then most, but I found errors here and disagreements on.. such as linking them to an even older story with the Zunis and a failed Spanish quest for the Cibola? Right. He's got some facts correct such as the Ekimmu and Dearg-Dul. I should have waited and finished reading the book before writing a review... I can't just help but feel to put a word out if there's anyone else going to pick this book up, don't rely solely on it for correct information regarding Vampires, do read and compare with other books and authors who've researched or tried to research.
5.0 out of 5 stars
good book,
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This review is from: Vampires: A Field Guide to the Creatures That Stalk the Night (Paperback)
I enjoy all his books - he makes the subject very interesting with a lot of information on myths and legends.
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First Sentence:
Vampire. The very word conjures up visions of ruined castles in Eastern Europe; of deathly pale and saturnine noblemen, wrapped in dark cloaks; of fangs brushing the throat of some helpless female; of stakes and crucifixes destroying ancient evil. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Baobhan Sith, Eastern Europe, Dames Blanches, Rhode Island, Wood Wives, Puerto Rican, Arnold Paole, East European, Puerto Rico, South County, Bram Stoker, Midnight Washerwomen, United States, Edwin Brown, Nelly Vaughan, New England, Peter Plogojowitz, Sarah Tillinghast, Ann Hughes, Colorado Springs, Cormac Tadhg, County Kerry, Mary Olive, Mercy Brown, New York New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Vampire. The very word conjures up visions of ruined castles in Eastern Europe; of deathly pale and saturnine noblemen, wrapped in dark cloaks; of fangs brushing the throat of some helpless female; of stakes and crucifixes destroying ancient evil. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Baobhan Sith, Eastern Europe, Dames Blanches, Rhode Island, Wood Wives, Puerto Rican, Arnold Paole, East European, Puerto Rico, South County, Bram Stoker, Midnight Washerwomen, United States, Edwin Brown, Nelly Vaughan, New England, Peter Plogojowitz, Sarah Tillinghast, Ann Hughes, Colorado Springs, Cormac Tadhg, County Kerry, Mary Olive, Mercy Brown, New York New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 11
books:
See all 11 books this book cites
- Grimm's Fairy Tales (Barnes & Noble Classics) by Jacob Grimm on page 92, and page 93
- Great Britain (Cultures of the World, Second) by Barbara Fuller in Back Matter
- The Poetic Edda by Lee M. Hollander on page 84
- Highlands and Islands of Scotland by Allan C Mclean on page 109
- Tales of the Celtic Otherworld by John Matthews in Back Matter
See all 11 books this book cites
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