"With the inquisitive heart of an adventurer and the rigor of a scholar, this spellbinding work leads listeners through centuries of dark folklore, lost legends, and the wild inspirations behind Bram Stoker's immortal classic.
Volcanic cataclysms, secret aristocratic scandals, mysterious societies, and ominous landscapes all converge to cast their spell. Historian Steven J. Rolfes skillfully untangles a web of real events, eccentric creators, and uncanny myths that shaped and informed Stoker's Dracula.
Rolfes's writing is lively, immersive, and unfailingly engaging, inviting listeners to make sense of what is fact, what is fable, and how the two entwine to birth the world's ultimate vampire. For those compelled by the timeless mystery of the undead, this book is both an exploration and an adventure, reviving forgotten tales and reimagining the legendary Count for a new generation."
"Unveil the mystery of the banshee and other entities that bridge the gap between life and death with this book's extensive Celtic folklore and historic cases. From deities like the Morrigan to death-related beings such as the Doppelgänger, Steven J. Rolfes examines what banshees are and how they have captivated humanity for centuries.
This book presents numerous examples of banshees, such as the omens connected to President Abraham Lincoln's murder and modern encounters with the herald of the grave. You'll learn about the piercing wails at the 1876 hanging of a young Irish murderer, the sign of impending death that came for the German philosopher Goethe, and much more. From ghostly white women in Germany to avian creatures in the jungles of Sri Lanka, this book will thrill you with tales of death messengers from all around the world."
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