By Florescu, Radu In Search of the Pied Piper Paperback - July 2005

by Radu R. Florescu

Known principally for his bestselling In Search of Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Radu Florescu now takes us on a magical tour of the origins of the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, exploring both the myth and the history that has captivated so many since the Middle Ages, and has been immortalized in Browning's famous poem.There are intriguing insights and speculations on the genuine history on which the poet relied and an explanation for his choice of Transylvania as the end of the child exodus from Hamelin town. Most plausible is the author's adoption of the history of a German military leader, leading the youths on a colonizing expedition to the Baltic lands where they all perished in a shipwreck. The author also links the story of a genuine rat infestation in Hamelin with the child exodus - a good opportunity to examine that pest's nuisance value from the time of the great plague to the German siege of Stalingrad in World War II.All in all a thoroughly intriguing and well-written book.Dr. Florescu, Professor of History emeritus at Boston College, Consul emeritus of Romania for New England. He received his BA, MA and B.Lit. degrees from Oxford University (Christ Church College) and his Ph.D. in History from Indiana University. He is currently Director of the East European Research Center at Boston College and the author of numerous works on East European and Romanian history.

Genres: History, Mythology

Paperback

First published July 30, 2005

About the author

Radu Florescu was a Romanian academic who held the position of Emeritus Professor of History at Boston College. His work on Vlad Dracula includes a series of bestselling books that he co-authored with his colleague Raymond T. McNally. Along with serving as Director of the East European Research Center at Boston College, Florescu was also a philanthropist and an adviser to Edward Kennedy on Balkan and Eastern European affairs.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Dr. Florescu's books about Dracula and enjoyed them. This book I did not like as much. Part of it is undoubtably, I knew the theory he puts forward.

It is interesting, and it has some lovely pictures and facts; however, to much of it is simply rewritten conversations. To be honest, I also really don't like reading about other people's dreams (unless its fiction).

[Hilde Helseth · Rating 4 out of 5]

'A book containing poetry'