The Book of Were-Wolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition

by Sabine Baring-Gould MA, Stephen Graham Jones (Foreword)

Sabine Baring-Gould’s The Book of Were-Wolves has long prowled the edges of horror lore and been whispered about by devoted fans, but now, after decades, this ancient work reemerges in a stunning hardcover edition, introduced by modern horror master Stephen Graham Jones. The shadow manifested in your room. The figure in the trees. The howl carried across the moors. They all started here. When it first appeared in 1865, Sabine Baring-Gould’s The Book of Were-Wolves was the first serious study of a superstition as old as Arcadia and as vast as human fear itself. Moving through folklore, confession, and what would one day be called true crime, Baring-Gould traces stories of wolves in league with the devil, of men drifting into the shapes of bears, serpents, and hyenas, and of a boundary between human and beast so thin it dissolves in the moonlight. For generations, this strange volume has imprinted itself on the minds of horror writers, its rare editions passed quietly from hand to hand. Now, with a new introduction by Stephen Graham Jones, Baring-Gould’s dark and curious classic steps once more into the light—summoning ancient lore with it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1865

Reviews

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Were-Wolves by Sabine Baring-Gould was an interesting read, though it feels more like a thesis than a traditional collection of folklore. It builds its argument through accounts from different geographical locations, many relying on testimony that leaves plenty of room for doubt. As the stories pile up, familiar details begin to emerge: witchcraft, mysterious salves, wolf or bear skins, and the disturbing consumption of human children. That repetition is both fascinating and unsettling.
At first, these accounts have all the telltale signs of stories meant to scare children into behaving. But the further I read, the more I started questioning what was behind them. Were these descriptions of people committing horrific crimes, attempts to explain mental illness, or accounts interpreted as possession? By the end, I was less interested in whether someone could literally become a wolf and more caught up in how people understood the frightening things happening around them. The academic style can feel dry, but the material gives you plenty to think about. A strange, disturbing read that left me with more questions than answers.

[Janna Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Book of Were-Wolves is a landmark non-fiction study examining centuries of werewolf mythology across cultures, providing historical context and rational analysis for superstitions as old as Arcadia and as vast as global human experience. Originally published in 1865, Baring-Gould's work remains one of the most cited references on werewolf lore, offering readers scholarly exploration of how humans understood human-animal transformation across time and geography. The rationalistic approach to examining lycanthropy carries particular value; rather than treating werewolf beliefs as mere superstition, Baring-Gould investigates the genuine historical circumstances and psychological factors that led communities to believe in such transformations. The breadth of cultural sources, spanning Norse berserkers, classical mythology, medieval accounts, and contemporary folklore, demonstrates how fundamental the werewolf archetype is to human imagination and explanation. The historical narratives supporting various beliefs create compelling reading despite the academic framework; understanding how specific individuals came to be labeled werewolves illuminates both medieval psychology and the dangers of superstition. However, the dense research-heavy approach means the text occasionally bogs down in citations and historical detail that modern readers might find overwhelming; certain sections could have been streamlined without losing essential information. The rationalistic framework, while intellectually satisfying, occasionally dismisses genuinely compelling accounts with insufficient consideration of alternative explanations. The application of 1865 scholarship to modern paranormal interpretation has limitations; certain conclusions feel dated or oversimplified by contemporary understanding. This is a serious scholarly work that remains valuable for understanding how humans have explained transformation and monstrosity across centuries, offering genuine insight into the werewolf archetype's cultural significance.

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabine Baring-Gould's The Book of Were-Wolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition is a fascinating and surprisingly thorough examination of one of history's most enduring legends. Originally published in the 19th century, the book explores the origins, cultural significance, and historical accounts of werewolf beliefs across Europe, offering readers a unique blend of folklore, mythology, and social history.

One of the book's greatest strengths is the depth of research. Baring-Gould gathers numerous stories, historical records, and regional traditions, providing valuable insight into how and why belief in werewolves developed over time. Readers interested in mythology, folklore, or the history of superstition will find the material both informative and engaging.

The author's scholarly approach gives the book credibility, though modern readers may find some sections dense due to its age and academic style. The extensive detail can occasionally slow the pace, but it also serves as one of the work's most valuable features for those interested in the subject matter.

What makes the book particularly compelling is its exploration of the human fears, cultural influences, and social conditions that fueled werewolf legends. Rather than simply recounting stories, Baring-Gould examines the phenomenon as a historical and psychological curiosity, adding depth to the discussion.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

TL;DR: A bit dry, but a fascinating history.
Source: NetGalley, so many thanks to the publisher!

Setting: This is primarily focused on European traditions and myths with a few mentions of Hindu culture.
Readability: Probably middle of the road, it’s dry but the subject material is fairly fun to read about.

Thoughts:

The Book of Were-wolves is one of those kind of legendary books in the paranormal, occult book circles. It’s been passed around in paperbacks and ebook copies for years and now we’re finally getting it in a lovely hardcover!

This one, I’ll be the first to admit, is dreadfully dry. It was written in 1865, so you’ve got to temper your expectations to the time period. It does however collect some fascinating myths and stories, some of which I hadn’t heard of. It also doesn’t shy around some very dark stories from history. But you also have to keep in mind that this was from a man who was very willing to believe everything he heard as fact.

If you’re interested in the stories and history of the were-wolf from someone in the 1800s, this is a fascinating pickup. If you’re looking for something that’s fast paced or keeps you hooked, this could be a skip.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Goodreads giveaway recipient**

Not a light, pleasant read, by any means. But an intriguing romp through history in stories of werewolfiness.
I appreciate the deep dive into ancient mythologies and worldwide cultural lores. I thought this book would just be a hodge-podge of stories—which it is…but at a nonfiction angle.
Some stories, I (if asked) would not have classified as werewolf stories, but it’s difficult to argue with Baring-Gould’s logic.
The foreword from Stephen Graham Jones is a heartfelt, fascinating look his early explorations in books. And gives a lovely tribute to Baring-Gould’s work.
(I would have appreciated a more consistent translation of text. Some texts from other languages were translated; some, not. Hopefully the completed book will have foot- or endnotes, at the very least.)

[Alicia Ceasar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Were-Wolves by Sabine Baring-Gould was originally published in the 1800s and is being republished with a foreword by Stephen Graham Jones which I thought was as a great way to set up expectations for this novel.

This is one that I have read excerpts from in the past but I’ve never read the whole thing so that was a new experience. I feel like this really captures how people felt about strange occurrences in the time it was published. This being tagged as nonfiction is a really smart move.

This was not an easy read as the language is kind of dated and some of it is formatted in a weird way. Besides that, this is one of those books that’s great to have if you are someone that is interested in werewolf lore. This isn’t something that I would say is a pleasant read but it’s very informative and feels like you are living in the past while reading it!

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Were-Wolves is a lore heavy nonfiction exploring the origins and superstitions surrounding the creature commonly known as… the werewolf.

Stephen Graham Jones offers a compelling forward in this repackaging of the 1865 work of Sabine Baring-Gould. In his thoughts, SGJ mentions the accounts being contradictory but points to this as being a compelling reason this work has held up well for over 160 years. Among the vast and thorough records of eyewitness accounts and folklore explored within these pages, somewhere there may lie truth.

Sabine Baring-Gould explores (as thoroughly as could be conceivably possible for the era) records, accounts, and ancient stories surrounding the mythological creature. From Scandinavia, Greece, England, and the United States, the author creates a sweeping conglomeration of legends and lore. The author also explores how language may have shaped our understanding of the werewolf and how the superstitions have transcended any one place and time.

Drawing on stories of cannibalism, murder, myth, and magic, these tales and anecdotes will make the impossible feel likely.

Thanks to Saga Press for the gifted copy - all opinions are my own.

[Zackary Ryan Cockrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I really enjoyed this. It’s hard to read at times just because of its age. I love that this is shelved in non-fiction and spirituality. The book is exactly what I expected and the forward by Stephen Graham Jones may be the first forward I’ve read that actually set up what to except from the book and set the tone. This is an interesting read but I would recommended reading it in chunks it does read like a textbook bec it was written like one.

[always reading ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the one hand, this was definitely what I expected, but on the other hand, it wasn't. The collection of histories, historical accounts, and commentary was all on par with my expectations. Where this simultaneously lost me and took me by surprise was when the majority of the book was not in fact about werewolves. He's constantly veering off on irrelevant topics, going in random directions. And it definitely had some interesting information, but still most of it had nothing to do with werewolves. Overall it just didn't work for me.

[Lili Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not aware of this book despite original publishing occuring in 1865. Absolutely worth the read! Stephen Graham Jones writes in the foreward about reading this at a time when he just accepted cryptid accounts as factual and I wish I had, because the tales re-told in this book are compelling! Tales from all over from the 1400s on, it certainly taunts you to believe if it was occurring in many places, there must be some truth to werewolves existing. Thank-you, Saga Press, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Gabrielle Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Werewolf Folklore to read if you're interested in lycanthropy.

[Amber Taylor · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this book of Were-Wolves. Very informative and the perfect size.