Vampires and Vampirism (Dover Occult)

Research into vampire traditions and folklore largely begins and ends with one man: Montague Summers! A Catholic priest and theater critic writing in early 20th Century England, Summers penned an infamous five-volume series on witches, werewolves, and vampires, in all of which he resolutely believed. Collecting tales, superstitions, and theological analysis from every corner of history and the globe, Summer's erudition and unabashed orthodoxy (as well as his unmistakable affection for the macabre) make his works into delightfully guilty and surprisingly educational pleasures.

I bought this book to help with researching a paper on the impact of vampire folklore on society and it certainly helped a lot. I can see the appeal of this particular book from the viewpoint of a social historian, a student, and a casual reader with an interest in occult subjects. I sincerely like this book and what it has to offer on the subject matter but I do not think I would actively recommend it or any of Summers other works to the general public. If you are looking for an analysis of the "vampire epidemic" in Europe from the perspective of someone from those times, this is definitely the author you will want to go with. After I finish this and the other book by Summers I purchased at the same time, I plan on buying a few more of his other works to read in my spare time for entertainment purposes.

Compilation of historical accounts of vampirism. Problem is there are many quotes not in English which the author does not translate. There are many topics covered loosely related like, premature burial, cannibalism, etc... I have been able to put the book down for two weeks and had forgotten about it until now. I will probably finish it by skimming the pages.

This book does not remotely live up to the effusive praise of other reviewers here (and I've read and liked Summers on The Gothic). Save your money and get it from a library. Why the warning? Summers gets far too carried away with his own research, and goes off on seemingly endless digressions that have only tangential reference to the main topic. In his discussion of vampire literature, do we really need to know the original casts of vampire plays performed in New York or London? And do we need page after page after page on excommunication? I found myself deeply annoyed as vampires faded from sight time and again and Summers expanded with scholarly garrulity on whatever bee was currently in his bonnet as he wrote. If you removed the digressions, this would be a long pamphlet, and a dull one at that.

This book is just amazing, I have learned so much about Vampire lore and all the different believes from all over the World. Just a wonderful and interesting book.

The information on vampires is useful, but the reading is dry.I'd hoped for a more interesting style, more stories,and more surprises.I haven't studied the subject in great depth and hoped to uncover unique twists.Perhaps my paranormal leanings over years educated me, so this work brought only smatterings of the new.Most of the information would be useful if you're unfamiliar with the subject.If you're well versed in vampires, the history and myth, this book may reiterate what you know.

An interesting book of lore and legends of Werewolves, but very dry. I would rather find a book of folks stories of Werewolves like the Brothers Grimm's work on fairy tales.

Don't but this book unless you speak French, German, and Latin.

great background slightly heavy going but no problem to a VAMPIRE lover.......

It is amazing

Great