A
fascinating and
exhaustive historical survey and
critical analysis of the legend of the were-wolf,
including actual trials and events from
history Synopsis:Author Sabine Baring-Gould (Squire and Parson of the Parish of
Lewtrenchard in West Devon, England, scholar, antiquarian and celebrated composer of the famous Christian hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers"), created a foundation work of modern supernatural lore when he published his definitive Book of Were-wolves in 1862. The book is a fascinating survey of were-wolf lore from the Greek and Roman era to the mid-nineteenth century. Baring-Gould cites 100's of sources as he builds his case for the "reality" of were-wolverie, from the misunderstanding and distortion of words surrounding the myth to a detailed account of the truths surrounding the Marechal de Retz (the true Bluebeard), Jean Grenier (the French were-wolf boy), Countess Elizebeth Bathory (the Hungarian vampire known as The Blood Countess), and others. His approach to the subject is analytical and modern. His conclusions are extraordinary. Baring-Gould analyzes several famous true cases in which were-wolves were captured, tried and sometimes executed for their crimes. Thirty years before Jack the Ripper, he concluded that were-wolves are what the modern era would come to know as serial killers or sexual psychopaths, individuals suffering from profound mental illness and sociopathy. Using the best psychological, sociological, historical, anthropological, mythological and medical theories and ideas of his day, he uncannily identified several key characteristics of these killers. And his conclusions have withstood the test of time. Baring-Gould takes the the reader on an intriguing journey through a poorly understood and dark side of legend, history and human nature. This book is surprising, extraordinary and fun to read. As one reader said. "It's like reading a true-crime novel." WITH 45 UNIQUE ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHS..
Price:
$24.95
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