Best Book on Vampires.
Written: Feb 18 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent reference and great writing style.
Cons: More color photos for the excellent artwork, please!
The Bottom Line: Anyone who loves vampires and slayers should buy this book.
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| ceciltheme's Full Review: Vampire Slayers' Field Guide To The Undead Books |
I guess "I loved it" isn't enough for a review. Well, that's really all I can say about it. This is the best non-fiction work I have ever seen on the subject of Vampires and other Undead. Ever.
The author of the book examines vampires and other predatory demons from every culture (and I do mean EVERY----FROM ALL THE CONTINENTS), along with excellent illustrations and creature history, as well as documenting how such creatures can be slain according to historical and folk beliefs. MacDougal explains such details things as to why garlic is the bane for killing vampires, which way to bury the corpses of these creatures, and some lesser known approaches for slaying some demons, such as scattering rice for the ones who are obsessed with counting small objects.
One interesting aspect of the book: MacDougal goes into how the spread of Christianity influenced vampire folklore in Europe. Complete with references and countless examples, he compares some cultures views on these creatures before and after the Church influence. Those churchgoers who are unfamiliar with demonology and/or the history of the Christian Church may find that particular analysis a little unsettling. He does not bash the religion, he merely provides information that few are willing to share.
This is not a dry read. The writing is basically standard English with a slight colloquial feel to it. MacDougal does a great job of writing in a voice that sounds learned and informative without dumbing down to or boring the reader.
My only complaint is that I wish all of the illustrations were in color. But, if that were the case, then that might drive the book out of the range of many budgets. Rest assured, the gray-scaled images are top notch.
You will feel like you are real vampire slayer who is sitting at the foot of Giles while reading this book. I'm telling you, if you're a fan of vampires, interested in Religious and Occult history, and especially if you are a writer who needs a good reference, then this is the book for you.
Let me put it this way: the book is so compelling that I read it from cover to cover. How many reference books are so good that you read every page of them and contemplate actually reading them again? Not many, I'm sure.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ceciltheme
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Member: Cecil Washington
Reviews written: 162
Trusted by: 14 members
About Me:
I write speculative fiction. I'm the founder of Creative Brother's Sci-Fi magazine.
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