September 6

The Werewolf Book by Brad Steiger

Visible Ink Press, 1999

Available: New and Used

If you want to expand your interest in werewolves and other shape shifters beyond fiction, to the realms of history, science and the occult, start with this book. 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. Even the effect comedy, such as Abbot and Costello’s monster movies, has had on the mythos, is dealt with respectfully. 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 reference for 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

Posted September 6, 2010 by Michele Lee in category "monsterlibrarian