Complete Idiot's Guide to Urban Legends

by Brandon Toropov

A collection of modern-day urban myths and folklore explores questions relating to famous figures, government conspiracies, paranoia, revenge, chain letters, and humiliating experiences.

Genres: Nonfiction

308 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2001

Reviews

[Adam Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It does what it sets out to do: categorizes and discusses major urban legends. Contains a helpful glossary of terms and a checklist for spotting an urban legend. Wish it was a bit deeper, but that's what the bibliography in the back is for -- pointing out the more academic books on the subject.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 of 5

A fun introduction to urban legends. Not a huge selection of tales - nowhere close to N.E. Genge's book - and they were, for the most part, already well-known to me and probably most other people in the world. Toropov opened the book with the concept of "Urban Legends as Collective Dreams" which, although interesting food for thought, seemed out of place given the overall lighthearted tone of this guide. The real gems, though, were the sidebars, especially the "Strange but True" callouts.

I would recommend this guide to anyone new to urban legends, or anyone who wants a quick refresher before digging deeper into modern myths.

Notes for my quick reference:

It was while reading this guide that I began to realize how many urban legends have been used in the TV show Supernatural . Even the BBC show Luther used "killer under the bed" for one of its episodes.

Defined UL as "a compelling story of unknown or enigmatic origin that spreads in various forms and may use humor or terror to deliver a lesson (often involving punishment for violating a social code.) (p.4)"

"As you make your way through this book, consider the possibility of examining urban legends as though they were collective dreams built around shared challenges, concerns, and patterns of thought (p.19)."

[Allyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had been wanting to brush up on some urban legends, so i purchased this book (used, thankfully). I normally enjoy the Idiot Guides, but this one not so much. I read it in about 2 hours time.

I started it like any other book, but it quickly became quite boring. i ended up skimming through most of the book, only slowing down when i came to the actual stories. I liked the actual urban legend stories that were included, but that's pretty much all i enjoyed.

I wouldnt recommend this for anyone who wants to add the actual Urban Legend tales to their library. I only spent a few bucks on it, but it seriously wasn't worth it.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend was getting rid of it, and I thought Why not? I like that the author tried to attribute the urban legends to earlier stories or to parable/fable type writings where there is a lesson or moral that we are supposed to learn. He also provides numerous tips to help people recognize urban legends when they come across stories in their email or in person.

[Little Timmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The slowest and least interesting of the idiot's guides I have read. If you like rumor and urban myth a good book. Not recommended