Vampires : Restless Creatures of the Night (Discoveries)

By Jean Mariony and Jean Marigny

Book Overview

In antiquity there were divinities who demanded blood sacrifices. In the Middle Ages tales of the walking dead and other bloodthirsty beings were as prevalent as the plague. Between then and now, from Transylvania to London, legends, firsthand accounts, literature, and film have conspired to distill into one being all our worst fears and most secret desires. This volume explores why the vampire has endured through the centuries and reminds us that the undead live on.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810928698
• ISBN13: 9780810928695
• Release Date: March 1994
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 143 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Excellent primer on the enduring myth of vampires.

This small, well organized, and beautifully illustrated book is an unexpectedly thorough and complete reference on vampire lore in Western culture. Succinctly written and carefully researched, it presents an entertaining and informative account on the mythical and religious origins of vampires, citing innumerable traditional, historical and literary sources, from the earliest civilizations to the present day. It also includes a discussion on the evolution and permanence of vampires in our culture through literature and films, featuring an exhaustive filmography of the most often dramatized of all fictional characters. For those interested in pursuing a deeper study of the subject, the bibliographical reference titled Further Reading and the List of Illustrations, both located in the back of the book, will prove to be invaluable resources. --Reviewed by Maritza Volmar

Very Good and Colorful

I thought that this book was good, however it isn't in depth and is short. I liked looking at the pictures but the information were just summaries. The book was colorful and interesting, yet it was a lot of show and not enough information. I think that it is a very good "beginners" book for first time Vampire readers. I think that all who read will most likely enjoy it.

Vampires in Film and In Real Life (History)

This book is great if you're into Vampire Films, Stoker's Dracula novels, or if you're into the Masquerade. This colorful book gives you the history of Real Life Vampires from where it started. Not alot of people realize that vampires are this real. Stoker actually based his books on such real life mortal vampires as Elizabeth Bathory and Vlad the Impaler. It also gives you a timeline of vampire movies. With also summaries of the movies and pictures. Including my personal favorite: Nosferatu. So check this book out, it's colorful and its great if you have any interests in vampires, Vampire Movies, or Stoker's books.