The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings

( 8 )

Overview

With 250 entries, this updated filmography and resource is the encyclopedic guide to all things lycanthropic and a fascinating compendium of comparative mythology and folklore. Delving into the 15th century to uncover the origins of the werewolf legend, it is an eye-opening, blood-pounding tour through the ages, landing on the doorstep of creatures like hirsute mass-murderer Albert Fish, Michael Lupo (Lupo is "wolf" in Italian), and Fritz Haarman who slaughtered and ate his ...

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More About This Book

Overview

With 250 entries, this updated filmography and resource is the encyclopedic guide to all things lycanthropic and a fascinating compendium of comparative mythology and folklore. Delving into the 15th century to uncover the origins of the werewolf legend, it is an eye-opening, blood-pounding tour through the ages, landing on the doorstep of creatures like hirsute mass-murderer Albert Fish, Michael Lupo (Lupo is "wolf" in Italian), and Fritz Haarman who slaughtered and ate his victims–selling the leftovers as steaks and roasts in his butcher shop. The photos and drawings provide hair-raising evidence of strange and obsessional behavior through the centuries, and a helpful chronology of lycanthropic activities dates back 140,000 years to the first mixing of human and lupine blood. Werewolf hunters of all ages will appreciate the detailed section on slaying the beast, while potential victims will find the information on detecting and warding away the occasional wayward wolfman more to their immediate liking—if not need.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher
"Brad Steiger's magnum opus, a labor of deep scholarship elegantly written. As a reference source, it is invaluable for anyone interested in pursuing the werewolf."  —Ancient American magazine

"From A to Z, Brad Steiger presents a true encyclopedia of werewolfism, a reference masterpiece, overflowing with fascinating information to make readers think and shudder."  —Fate magazine

"It is with reverence to its awesome scope that we recommend it to anyone even marginally interested in the topic"  —Rue Morgue

"If werewolves, hairy shape-shifting monsters, and silver-bullets are your thing, then you're in for a big, big treat! An excellent, fully updated, and massively expanded, edition of The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings is most definitely a title to sink your teeth into!" —www.mania.com

"Another good spell-binding Brad Steiger classic! This book will be hard to put down once you get started." —Alternate Perceptions (September 2011) 

"Provides detailed information on a wide variety of mythical creatures and the culture surrounding them." —Book News (October 2011) 

"The Werewolf Book is wonderfully thorough, exhaustively detailed, and affordable." —www.ARBAonline.com

"A very professional encyclopedia from one of the field's masters, covering all things shapeshiftery and not just 'men who are hairy on the inside.'" —Fortean Times (September 2012)

VOYA - Jonatha Basye
There has been an incredible influx of material written about vampires, werewolves, and the like over the past several years. Their induction into American pop culture certainly cannot be ignored. And with that comes another book that discusses shape-shifters; however, this offering is a little different. First of all, this is an encyclopedia, and second, the title is misleading. At first glance, I assumed that the book would only cover werewolves, and that is definitely not the case. This encyclopedia includes entries from Elizabeth Bathory to Maenads to True Blood. There are historical as well as pop culture entries in this encyclopedia, and I think that's what makes this book so different. It does not deal strictly with one facet of the information being presented. All avenues are pursued in The Werewolf Book—from the factual to the fantastical. Most people do not sit down and read an encyclopedia from cover to cover, but with this book, the reader can do exactly that and not feel overwhelmed with information. All of the entries are alphabetized, as would be expected in an encyclopedia, as well as the contents page. I thought this especially helpful when trying to locate a certain entry. Steiger includes a chronology at the back of the book that deals specifically with werewolf folklore. The index is also quite extensive and well organized. I have a feeling this encyclopedia will appeal to more than just the average werewolf/vampire lover. Reviewer: Jonatha Basye
VOYA - Mauree Schroeder
The Werewolf Book is a compilation of things related to shape-shifting, werewolves, or vampirism. The references follow chronology—B.C.E. all the way up to modern time. It considers psychological aspects of lycanthropy, legends of occult creatures such as the Windigo, and real stories of children raised by wolves or people who acted inhumanely. While the title is misleading, there are a broad array of werewolf references, from Adolph Hitler to the wild boy of Avaron. 4Q, 2P. Reviewer: Mauree Schroeder, Teen Reviewer
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—Guiley's timely, though not stellar, update of the 2005 edition presents vampires as real. Gone from the title in this edition is "…and other monsters," which, rather than reflecting a change in content, is more accurate. Most of the other revisions are additions of recent movies and books, such as those by authors Charlaine Harris and Stephenie Meyer; also new is that this work has color illustrations. At times the organization is confusing. For example, "Arts and Entertainment" includes the role of vampirism in literature, film, and TV, but readers must use the index to discover that much of what is mentioned in this section is elaborated upon in other parts of the book. Also, while all-capitalized words indicate cross references, that is not explained. It is impossible to determine which source in the extensive bibliography matches which entry. In Steiger's alphabetized collection of lycanthropic lore and pop culture, most entries have undergone scant revision since 1999, and that in the form of rewording. Around 20 new entries include coverage of the series "True Blood" and "Twilight." Pieces with tenuous ties to werewolves and shape-shifting have been omitted. The writing is riddled with conjecture; the author says of the imprisoned Elizabeth Bathory, for example, that "perhaps she could only hear the ghostly echo of the screams of pain and the pleadings for mercy of her six hundred victims." Sources are sketchy and some are decades old, and doubts about authenticity linger.—Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781578593675
  • Publisher: Visible Ink Press
  • Publication date: 9/1/2011
  • Edition description: Second Edition, Second edition
  • Edition number: 2
  • Pages: 430
  • Sales rank: 404,622
  • Product dimensions: 7.10 (w) x 9.20 (h) x 0.90 (d)

Meet the Author

Brad Steiger has been devoted to exploring and examining unusual, hidden, secret, and otherwise strange occurrences for nearly five decades. He is the author of numerous articles and more than 150 books on paranormal theme, including Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits, and Haunted Houses; Real Monsters, Gruesome Critters, and Beasts from the Darkside; Real Vampires, Night Stalkers, and Creatures from the Darkside; and Real Zombies, the Living Dead, Creatures of the Apocalypse. He lives in Iowa.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 8 )
Rating Distribution

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(3)

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Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 20, 2003

    A serious study of all things lycanthropic.

    If you¿re interested in werewolves, this book is a necessary addition to your personal library. It is a serious study of werewolf legend and folklore. Every aspect of lycanthropy is investigated, from the Badger People of the Native Americans, to the incubus, succubus, Kasha (the Japanese ghoul) to the nemesis of children everywhere, the bogeyman ¿ and more. If you already believe in werewolves, this book will be a fascinating journey. If you don¿t believe in them now, you will after reading Steiger¿s book, especially when you consider that werewolves are part of the native folklore of civilizations all over the world, from the very earliest days of humanity. Spend a few days with this book and you¿ll agree with Brad Steiger that ¿Werewolves are real!¿ If it¿s lycanthropic in nature, you¿ll find it in this book. The author even explores the psychological motivations of Jeffrey Dahmer, Richard Speck and other serial killers. Were they possessed by some sort of demon or beast within they could not control? Do all of us possess a beast within that manifests itself during those, hopefully rare, occasions when we become extremely angry? Just one suggestion: Read it in the daytime.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 27, 1999

    OK, but there is better

    For those of you who want to read a werewolf book that doesn't have all the serial killers, I recommend Daniel Cohen's 'Werewolves,' which is also available for sale on this site.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 27, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    A handy resource

    If you want to take your study of werewolves and other shape shifters out of fiction and into the realms of history, science and the occult this is the books to start with. Not only does The Werewolf Book have entries on all manner of shape shifting beings from myth, and accounts of supposed real life were-critters, it also encompasses the books and movies that influenced the image of shape shifting and werewolves throughout history and made it what it was today.
    Nothing is treated as trivial, not even the effect comedy, such as Abbot and Costello's monster movies, has had on the mythos. And while the encyclopedia isn't exhaustive in its entries it does offer a plethora of titles to seek out for further research. Certainly a core directive in the study of shape shifting beings The Werewolf Book is an essential part of collections that cater to researchers, occultists or fictionists.
    Contains: some disturbing descriptions of witch trials and tortures

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 8, 2008

    There is better...

    The Werewolf Book has some fantastic pieces, but overall has a lot of...fluff. The writings are not especially objective, as someone else noted, and it pales in comparison to the Vampire Encyclopedia that shares a similar format. It is interesting, but there's no clear direction to the entries.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 1, 2002

    Fill Your Mind With Fascination!

    This is a heavy piece of work, in fascinating detail, interesting real facts and in size. If ever I received my money¿s worth in a book, this is it. Legends, myths, and factual matter will fill your mind with fascination and awe. This great book reads more like a true crime novel than a research effort. I must admit I keep mine on my coffee table, and it¿s been borrowed so many times I probably need to buy another copy. My two teenagers are always picking it up to read a few new undiscovered tidbits. My wife has been a Steiger fan for decades and she has read most of his 140 plus published works. I usually read them after she has read and marked up the extra special parts, so in my feeblemindedness, I don¿t miss something important. My college aged son used `The Werewolf Book¿ to write a paper on myths. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this wonderful work, a work which is `the definitive reference book¿ on Werewolves in many many libraries around North America. I totally disagree with those who were too dense to enjoy this terrific book.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 3, 2000

    Doesn't stick to the point very well

    While this book does include some vital information for any werewolf enthusiast, it tends to diverge widely from the subject and include topics that aren't even relevant to the title. Mr. Steiger also tends to disseminate his opinion throughout the book, which is a no-no when givinga factual representation of a subject. The pros and cons of the book tend to offset each other, but there are better first choice books out there than this one. Still, for the die-hard person, this book has enough information to make it a worthwhile addition to your library.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 24, 2013

    Bad read

    Nothing to read disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 25, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

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