The Book of Werewolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition

Educational book if your interested how the Werewolf phenomena originated.

Written in the 1860's but still holding up to the test of time this book ranks as a classic of European lore on lycanthropy/shapeshifting in particular pertaining to werewolves. Worth its weight in gold just for the two chapters on Scandinavian wolf lore, and the idea that the viking berserkers were werewolves/shapeshifters. But besides that there is plenty of folklore on werewolves/shapeshifting in eastern Europe, France, and various other places in Europe. Also historical documentation of medieval serial killers who were alleged to be werewolves is recounted, as well as Baring-Goulds own encounters with local werewolf legends that had people in fear to go in the woods alone in various locales in France that he visited. The only fault I see with this book is that even though for a book written when it was it really covers a lot of bases the vast amount of Celtic shapeshifting/werewolf lore that exists is not included. Regardless this book still remains a timeless classic work.

This is a good book for someone who wants learn about Lycanthropy. The book has various stories, fables, and anecdotes about Lycanthropy which the author has abstracted from a variety of sources. Keeping in mind who Baring-Gould was and when he wrote the book, the author's perspective, analyses, and opinions are interesting indeed. Among other things, the author compares folkloric Lycanthropy with contemporary Lycanthropy (i.e., supernatural phenomenon versus the disease model).Note there are several different Kindle versions of the book available. This version cost $0.99 If there's bad news about this version it is the number of what appear to be OCR scan errors that were not caught in proofreading. E.G., 'wax' instead of 'war', 'be' instead of 'he', 'Ulkolak' instead of 'Vlkolak', 'purpose' instead of 'propose'. I can't speak to the other versions. However, these typos are in no way a show stopper.Two things I found personally interesting: This book is a good counterbalance to the Hollywood/Ouspenskayan 'Even a man who is pure at heart...' type of nonsense. And, if you've read 'Vampires, Burial, and Death' (a very good book, btw), you may have the thought that Paul Barber used 'The Book of Were-Wolves' as a template.

This was one of my favorite buys the tales from the 1800s that are in this book literally literally the most amazing things I’ve ever read I’m very interested in werewolves in the history of where they first originated in this book explains all of that even makes you wanna truly believe that they exist

Well, I haven't even read it yet, but I read excerpts long ago, so I know I will like it. And the author is/was a Victorian Renaissance man - as far as I know about him. This should be a good read!

Fascinating look at the history of Werewolves. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the topic.

I like the book, but someone didn't proofread this thing. I found typos on page one! The author does an excellent job of citing sources and really demonstrates a fundamental understanding of the anthropological history of Werewolves. The book isn't for light reading. There's plenty of Greek and Latin excerpts and the language is a bit stilted. Still, if you want a good, well-rounded history of Werewolves - buy it.

Everything about it was as expected. Bought it as a gift

It is what it is. I know it's a cheapo print, but I would have liked a bit more attention to detailsThe cover decorations/angles aren't even centered in the print.There is no title on the spine.No interior illustrations of any kind.A few typos here and there.A good book indeed if you're interested in the subject.

Please don't advertise what you can't fulfill! I bought it as a birthday gift for someone and it looks so flimsy. Not only did I get no help from the Amazon team but the seller also ignored my request for a replacement. Really disappointed

This book is excellent and suitable for anyone who has an interest in the subject of werewolves or if you are researching it. The book was written during the nineteenth century when belief in werewolves in many remote communities in Europe was still fairly common place. The writer begins his book by recounting an experience of his own on a visit to a rural village in Italy in which a number of locals warn him not to venture out alone after sunset for they fear a large wolf is plaguing their village at night or a "loups garoux" as described by the author.In the following chapters, the author goes on to explain stories of werewolves in ancient mythology including Greek and Norse myths.He covers tales from around the world regarding cases of Lycanthropy and various beleifs about werewolves, also, how a person may be cured of his or her affliction. In a further chapter he goes on to explain the physcological reasons why people may believe themselves to be wolf people and the way in which most of us have it within ourselves to maim and kill and some members of society may harbour secret desires to inflict cruelty on others or small animals.This publication is also great as a general reference book on the origins of the legendary werewolf.

This must be the classic study of werewolves, written by a notable Victorian clergyman. It is also an excellent read. Baring-Gould has collected myths and legends from cultures all over the world, and all of them are fascinating. In fact, there's enough information here for a whole series of horror stories if anyone wanted to do a well researched werewolf story. Forgotten Books has done us all a real favour by reprinting this. If anyone wants to learn more about lycanthrope than the latest Hollywood offering, this is the book for them.(To add a complete tangent, which Amazon can easily delete, Baring-Gould is the second most famous pupil to come out of my alma mater, the King's School Warwick. Both he and the most famous - one time Poet Laureate John Masefield - were only there briefly. None of us who completed our education there achieved their dizzy heights, which gives you some idea of what an illustrious establishment it is.)

A fabulous and terrific read into every aspect of werewolf history, if you like the supernatural this is highly recommended