Werewolves: The Legends and Folk Tales about Humans Shapeshifting into Wolves

by Charles River Editors

*Includes pictures *Includes excerpts of medieval accounts *Includes a bibliography for further reading *Includes a table of contents Werewolves have long been a staple of popular culture. In the 19th century and 20th century, there were countless books, plays, and films about people who turned into wolves or wolf like humanoids and went on rampages. The figure of the werewolf is so familiar that people across the world are familiar with the folklore, and the beliefs that they transform during a full moon, can only be stopped with silver, and transmit their disease by biting their victims. In fact, those beliefs were not originally part of werewolf folklore, but later embellishments by artists. The belief in lycanthropy is far older and more complex than most people suspect, dating all the way back to antiquity, and werewolves were once assumed to be very real. Indeed, people were even put on trial and executed because the courts of law were convinced they could change their form and kill innocent people. For thousands of years, werewolves have represented a strange and ancient tradition that still echoes through culture to this day. The Legends and Folk Tales about Humans Shapeshifting into Wolves chronicles the ancient traditions and origins behind the belief in the existence of werewolves. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about werewolves like never before.

Genres: History

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2019

About the author

Charles River Editors is an independent publisher of thousands of ebooks on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple iBookstore & provider of original content for third parties.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accidental reread but still enjoyed this one a lot and agree what I wrote last time.
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When I want something short but very engaging to listen to as I lay resting a bit. I often choose something by Charles River Editors as their non fictions book are short and there are plenty to choose from. I really enjoyed the narrator of this as I sometimes just don't get with the one they have chosen. But this one was a pleasant to listen to. Very very interesting subject and I love how they don't seem to waste anytime telling bunch of facts in a digestible way

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview. Nice use of sources and history.

[Matthew E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical curiosity

The book is short and concise. But it reads like that of a college student essay, however, the content is incredibly interesting. Took about an hour to complete

[Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome short book with historical stories.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just the perfect length to see if I want to learn more about the subject of werewolves. I did not know how far back in history these creatures were mentioned in literature. Up until recent times, humans lived close to the natural world and predators (such as wolves) were a real threat. Because people were not educated, they believed in the possibility of men turning into wolves.

Early Indo-European mythology had many humans don animal skins in order to take on the traits of animals. The Greeks talked about men turning into wolves. Slavs, Prussians, and Lithuanians believed in the idea of men turning into wolves. The tradition has gone around the world and in many visages. Mostly, men become wolves only for a time.

This is a great overview; however, I thought it bounced around a bit. Then it talked about lycanthropy (the essence of having a wolf spirit within one's body) in more modern times. Now, that was interesting!

[Steve Visel · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for research into how stories of werewolves came about, this might be a good source for you. There's little analysis, just a more or less chronological listing of accounts of European wolf or serial killer attacks. Nice cover art and decent editing, but so-so writing.

[Shaia]

thumbs up

pretty good book ,I enjoyed reading it. Wish it had of been a little longer though. still good either way

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book, but full of information, some familiar to me, some new. Worth my time.