The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings [Paperback]

Jan Harold Brunvand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1989

The book that launched America's urban legend obsession!

The Vanishing Hitchhiker was Professor Brunvand's first popular book on urban legends, and it remains a classic. The culmination of twenty years of collection and research, this book is a must-have for urban legend lovers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A uniquely entertaining book, edifying scholarship, diverting social history.” (Elaine Kendall - Los Angeles Times Book Review )

About the Author

Jan Harold Brunvand lives in Salt Lake City, where he is professor emeritus at the University of Utah. He is the author of numerous books, including The Vanishing Hitchhiker; The Choking Doberman; The Baby Train; Too Good to Be True; and Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (February 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393951693
• ISBN-13: 978-0393951691
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Vanishing Hitchhiker, May 10, 2000

By 

steven (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings (Paperback)

This is a book about American Urban Legends and their meanings. The book has two aspects to it. Firstly, it describes many common urban legends, and tries to trace the origin and evolution of the stories.

Secondly, it attempts to provide an analysis or the reason for such legends appearing. The book has been organized under several broad categories for the purpose of analysis: CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE LEGENDS, TEENAGE HORRORS, DREADFUL CONTAMINATIONS, FEAR OF DEATH, NUDITY, and BUSINESS RIPOFFS.

I enjoyed many of the urban tales. It brought back memories of my childhood when I was hearing or telling the same stories. There were also some stories that were new to me, and I look forward to telling them to my friends! The author also did a good job discussing the origin and history of each of these urban myths.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend to anyone who likes these types of tales.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does This Book Actually Exist? or Is It Just A Rumor?, August 14, 2001

By 

Gypsychick "gypsychick" (miami, fl USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings (Paperback)

Brunvand was so ahead of his time. This book was originally published before the term URBAN LEGEND was a film, a sequel and a catch phrase. In these days of email boxes crammed to the brim with fake virus alerts, cookie recipes, pyramid schemes, and hundreds of forwards you cannot open, we forget the origin of "urban legends." Told and retold from generation to the next, Brunvand tells us the history of these "sworn to be true' stories such as "The Hook" and "The Boyfriend's Death" - how the stories got started and how they evolved into permanent teenage and campfire lore. Sure you can look 'em up on the Internet now, but you will never get the rich and wild history of tales told by the sister of an old boyfriend who had a cousin who SWORE it happened to her unless you read this book, and the many that Brunvand followed it up with.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book about stories and culture, August 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings (Paperback)

This book is excellent. By reading it you get a good scope on what urban legends are and how they fulfil their role in communication in society. I have done some research in Folklore and Urban Legends in the Netherlands, and Brunvand's work has had a major influence on the scope of my thesis. He knows what he is talking about. This book gives a good insight in storytelling, culture and American Society. A must for researchers in cultural studies, and probably a good book for those who want to learn more about the American society. It is fun to read, clearly written and Brunvand has a nice style of writing. I think many people would like this book, whether they are doing research, are on holiday, on the train or whatever. It's a book of all times, and so are the stories...