Vampire Watcher's Handbook

by Gregory Constantine, Craig Glenday (Annotations)

A wealth of information on the lore and history of vampires, covering all the various major traditions of this much discussed revenenant. From how to distinquish a 'real' vampire from a 'wannabee' (which helps avoid those embarrassing 'staking' mistakes), to effective means of escaping unscathed the clutches of a ravenous creature of the night, this is a comprehensive look at the ways and means of the Undead.

The Vampire Watcher's Handbook is reprinted from a turn-of-the-century compendium of the craft, complete with the annotations of the book's original owner (whose name and fate remains unknown). For those who wish to pursue a career path as the scourge of the vampires, it includes lists of necessary equipment and essential knowledge for hunting and 'retiring' all the various types of blood sucking fiends (stakes and holy water not provided with the book). But it also provides many useful tips for those for whom bird watching and trainspotting has lost its charm and now wish to observe in their natural habitat this most compelling of unnatural creatures, without ending up on the dinner menu.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires

160 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Devyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover is deceiving.
What I originally perceived as a lightweight, fun, little juvenile book is actually a serious, hardcore encyclopedia on everything vampire. It digs deep into the history and reveals a good deal more than expected. The modus operandi of finding, identifying, fighting, killing and prevention is a complicated one, and - surprisingly- involves more thorns, poisons, and seeds than hand to hand combat.
Vampire Watcher's Handbook is not the familiar Hollywood vampire depiction, but real historical accounts pulled from obscure, usually Latin, records recorded in diaries, newspapers, church ledgers, old archives, ect about vampirism and other supernatural things that go bump in the night (or day).

The original myths are unfamiliar, horrifying, sometimes hilarious, and usually almost always pretty disgusting.
I can't imagine Hollywood would have had much luck Romanizing the ye old vampires that are basically decomposing corpses out on the prowl for human excrement.

[Angela Maher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first look, this seems a lightweight, fun book on how to find and slay vampires. It does have its silly bits, but overall it is actually a comprehensive collection of vampire folklore from around the world. It's full of numerous pieces of information, some familiar, some that were totally new to me.
This would be a good book for anyone interested in the vampire legend, or anyone thinking of writing their own piece of vampire fiction.

[Peter Brichs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Den her bog er en sjov lille samling af vampyr-viden fra hele verden. Den er skrevet, som var det en håndbog, fra en ægte vampyr jæger - komplet med de håndskrevne noter, bogens tidligere ejer har skrevet i bogen.

Vi kommer rundt om myter fra hele verden - alt fra de mere kendte vestlige vampyrer, til østens mere (for os) obskure af slagsen. Også Østeuropa har en god sjat mere eller mindre kendte vampyrer.

Jeg synes det er en fin bog. Den er meget letlæst - jeg tror målgruppen de 8-9. klasse børn. Men dog stadig: Et klart hit i min samling!

[Gianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a how to guide, this is the book for you.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very historical, well informed book the guide for slayers is part historical lesson and present day guide to finding and slaying the undead. First the book lets the reader know the history behind the vampire. The names of vampires all around the world and the myths leading up to the existence of the vampire. There are many causes behind the vampire and many ways to become one it seems and just as many ways to prevent becoming a vampire all which require action by the entire community as well as the individual. The myths all seem to overlap in some ways and in others they are different. The guide then goes on to talk about the different ways to defeat and recognize the vampire in its many guises. Finally the guide gives the reader places they may be able to find the vampire if they went searching them out.
The book is well organized and has many special effects to go along the topic such as fake dirt and blood stains as well as many interesting pictures and side notes that would be helpful to any vampire slayer. I give the book two stakes up.

[Denlillebogblog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Positive: Nice layout, fun read for children.

Negative: Too superficial and too short. Seems like a book you'll write because you want to monetize on the vampire-hysteria that has ruled the book market during several years.

Review in Danish: http://denlillebogblog.blogspot.dk/20...

[Michael Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little book that takes you through vampire mythology around the world under the guise of teaching you how to slay the undead!