Howling Through Time: “Werewolf Stories – Shapeshifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts” by Nick Redfern and Brad Steiger
When it comes to monsters, werewolves have always been one of my favorites. They are simple creatures with one mission, to kill. You can’t say that about vampires, thanks to the TWILIGHT movies. Werewolves have been portrayed in many different ways in the movies. There’s the wolfman type, those that walk on all fours, and my favorite, the ones that walk upright. Even in werewolf folklore, these different versions appear.
Over the years, there have also been many books on the subject, dealing both with movies and lore. This September, prepare for another book, “Werewolf Stories: Shapeshifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts,” by Nick Redfern and Brad Steiger. Redfern and Steiger are well-known writers regarding anything paranormal, and this book will be a welcome part of your collection. Though Nick Redfern is probably best known for his UFO books, Brad Steiger is no stranger to werewolves. In 2011 he released the book “The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings.”
“Werewolf Stories” is set up like an encyclopedia and is a great read. The stories are so well-researched, and Redfern is a great storyteller. The topic is presented in a profound way which is appreciated. There is enough folklore on this topic that it deserves to be treated seriously. I also appreciate that the source information is provided at the end of each entry. Usually, this all appears at the end of the book.
From today’s lycanthropic creatures found in pop culture, such as DRACULA, TWILIGHT, and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, to the earliest mentions in folklore of the shape-shifting legend, “Werewolf Stories: Shapeshifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts” is an eye-opening tour through the ages of all things werewolf. Along the way, readers land at the doorstep of creatures like serial killer Fritz Haarmann, tiger people and their thirst for human blood, Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome, shapeshifters of all kinds and sizes, and even a spell to repel werewolves. This fascinating tome provides 140,000 years of blood-pounding evidence of strange and obsessive behavior. It tells stories of becoming a werewolf and the intricacies of slaying the beast.
Something else I like about this book is that it is all short stories. I love to read before bed, and short sections are ideal for this time of night. You can stop at any time or read just one more entry (which will almost certainly lead to reading multiple entries). For me, this is a book that I cannot put down.
I have been a fan of Nick Redfern and Brad Steiger for years. Their books have always been highlights for me regarding anything paranormal-related. Like “Werewolf Stories,” the books are always well-researched and easy to read. They all make excellent reference material when it comes to these topics. I highly recommend pre-ordering your copy today!
Remember to read other entries in my BASEMENT BOOK SHELF series!
~David Albaugh
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