Werewolves and Shape Shifters: Encounters with the Beasts Within [Paperback]

Scott Bradley (Author), John Skipp (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2010

Werewolves and shapeshifters have morphed into the latest pop culture stars.  This mind-bending collection includes thirty-two new and classic stories from the best writers in the genre

Werewolves and shapeshifters are the latest literary craze following vampires and zombies.  The phenomenal success of the Twilight series, and the blockbuster movies that followed, has spawned a new obsession with these supernatural beings.  From John Skipp, the master of horror, comes this definitive collection of thirty-two classic and new stories, written by favorites of the genre including George R.R. Martin, Charlaine Harris, Chuck Palahniuk, Neil Gaiman, H.P. Lovecraft, Joe R. Lansdale, Angela Carter, David J. Schow, Kathe Koja, Bentley Little, and more. Skipp provides fascinating insight and details, through two nonfiction essays, into the history and presence of shape shifting in popular culture.  Resources at the end of the book include lists of the genre's best long-form fiction, as well as movies, websites, and writers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Skipp is a New York Times bestselling author and editor, whose 18 books have sold millions of copies in a dozen languages worldwide.  His first anthology, Book of the Dead, laid the foundation in 1989 for modern zombie literature, bringing George Romero's vision of the dead next door to new levels of scope and intensity.  He later edited three more zombie anthologies, including Mondo Zombie, which won the Bram Stoker Award for best anthology, and Zombies: Encounters with the Hungry Dead and Werewolves & Shapeshifters: Encounters with the Beast Within, both published by Black Dog & Leventhal. Skipp is recognized as splatterpunk's founding father and the elder statesman of the genre. His own legendary horror works include The Light at the End, the Scream, Jake's Wake and the Long Last Call. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (September 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579128521
• ISBN-13: 978-1579128524
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 2.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Anthology October 12, 2010

By Book Lover

Format:Paperback

I loved getting a chance to read so many different styles of writing on werewolves. Some of the stories I've seen elsewhere, like "Gift Wrap" by Charlaine Harris. However, I never would have found great stories like "Dissertation" by Chuck Palahniuk or "The Cold that Flays the Skin" by Tessa Gratton if I hadn't bought this anthology. Some of it made me squirm, like Bentley Little's story, but the writing is all really good.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT anthology! December 7, 2010

By J. Finn

Format:Paperback

I loved this book. Any anthology where I think to myself "What is WRONG with this author?! He/She is SICK!" is a good book indeed!
Ranges from fun/funny stories to the truly disturbing. I highly recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unleash the Beast Within September 6, 2012

By Mike Sanders

Format:Paperback

As a rabid Werewolf fan, I try and read anything related to the subject. This massive book does not disappoint. Chock full of thirty-five stories, ranging from the funny to the gory, the central theme of the beast that lies inside us all is clearly expressed and beautifully illustrated in stark black and white. Featuring classics like Angela Carter's feminist take on Little Red Riding Hood and the source material for Neil Jordan's 1984 lycan masterpiece; The Company of Wolves, and H.P. Lovecraft's fishy tale; The Shadow Over Innsmouth, to more modern writers such as Fight Club's Chuck Palahniuk, Richard Christian Matheson, son of the great Richard Matheson, and True Blood creator Charlaine Harris, Werewolves and Shapshifters will continue to provide years entertainment for years to come. And, as a bonus, two essays concerning lycans bring this tome to a close reminding us just how far this hulking nightmare of blood and uncontrolled rage has come. A perfect choice to read at night with only the moonlight to read by. Bon appetite.