📖 Overview
Real Vampires, Night Stalkers and Creatures from the Darkside is a comprehensive exploration of vampire lore and supernatural entities throughout history. Author Brad Steiger examines reports, testimonies, and case studies of alleged encounters with vampiric beings and dark creatures.
The book covers both traditional vampire mythology and contemporary accounts from around the world. Steiger investigates lesser-known vampiric entities and parallel creatures from various cultures, presenting interviews with people who claim firsthand experiences with these phenomena.
The research extends beyond typical vampire tales to include energy-draining entities, shadow beings, and other paranormal manifestations. The text incorporates historical documentation, eyewitness accounts, and analysis of recurring patterns in reported encounters.
This work raises questions about the relationship between folklore and unexplained phenomena, and how different cultures interpret similar supernatural experiences. The intersection of ancient mythology with modern-day encounters suggests an enduring human fascination with entities that exist in the shadows of our understanding.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a compilation of vampire accounts and folklore, with many finding it repetitive of Steiger's previous works.
Readers appreciated:
- The range of historical vampire cases covered
- Inclusion of lesser-known vampire stories and legends
- Clear writing style and organization
- Photos and illustrations throughout
Common criticisms:
- Recycled content from Steiger's other vampire books
- Surface-level treatment of many cases
- Limited new research or analysis
- Too much focus on modern vampire/goth subculture
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.6/5 (48 ratings)
Amazon: 3.9/5 (21 ratings)
Representative review: "If you've read his previous books on vampires, you won't find much new here. Good starter book for those new to the topic." - Goodreads reviewer
Several readers noted it works better as an introductory overview than a deep exploration of vampire folklore and mythology.
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The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead by J. Gordon Melton This comprehensive reference work covers vampire lore, legends, literature, film, and real cases throughout history and across cultures.
The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings by Brad Steiger The text examines werewolf stories from folklore, literature, and reported cases, with entries on transformations, historical incidents, and cultural interpretations.
The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke This collection presents historical accounts and folklore of supernatural beings, monsters, and unexplained phenomena from various cultures and time periods.
The Monster Book: Creatures, Beasts and Fiends of Nature by Nick Redfern The work catalogs reported encounters with mysterious creatures, paranormal entities, and cryptozoological specimens from around the world.
🤔 Interesting facts
🦇 Author Brad Steiger wrote over 170 books, primarily focusing on paranormal phenomena, UFOs, and unexplained mysteries before his death in 2018.
🧛♂️ The book explores global vampire myths beyond the traditional Eastern European folklore, including the Filipino Aswang and the Malaysian Pennanggalan.
⚰️ Steiger's research uncovered numerous accounts of modern-day vampirism, including the story of the "London Vampire," a series of attacks in 1967 that left several women with mysterious neck punctures.
🩸 The book details the medical condition porphyria, which may have contributed to vampire legends due to symptoms like extreme sensitivity to sunlight and reddish teeth.
🌙 Unlike many vampire-themed books, this work dedicates significant attention to psychic vampires - beings who allegedly drain energy rather than blood from their victims.