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Romancing the Vampire: Collectors Vault
Long before Edward Cullen and the Twilight phenomenon, there was Angel, Barnabas Collins and Bela Lugosi, and many others in between. They are vampires — the undead. Add an infusion of Bella, Buffy and Carla Laemmle, then sprinkle in unforgettable characters such as Renfield and little Eddie Munster, and you have a capsule of how cinematic vampires are viewed by today’s world. But there were vampires walking this earth long before the invention of movies and television. In this book, author David J. Skal weaves a narrative history of vampirism, from the ancient Aztecs through the writings of Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and Stephenie Meyer. But what makes this book even more unique are the replicas tucked inside sleeves and pockets. There are removable photos of Bram Stoker, Carmilla and Lord Byron. For movie buffs, it has posters from Nosferatu, Dracula Has Risen From The Grave starring Christopher Lee, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula — along with a replica of Stoker’s “Dracula” notes. It also has photographs from Forks, Washington, where the Twilight series is based. Take a walk through the history of the undead, with romance, horror and blood along the way.
Foreword by Nina Auerbach, author of Our Vampires, Ourselves. Afterword by Rosemary Guiley, author of Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves and Other Monsters.
Foreword by Nina Auerbach, author of Our Vampires, Ourselves. Afterword by Rosemary Guiley, author of Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves and Other Monsters.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
David J. Skal
55 books182 followersDavid J. Skal became fascinated with monsters at the height of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, when indestructible monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man provided a "nuclear security blanket" for a whole generation of youngsters.
Active as an editor and reporter on his high school newspaper, he was granted a journalism scholarship to Ohio University, Athens, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1974. His work as film critic, arts reporter, arts editor and assistant managing editor of the Ohio University Post, one of the country's leading college papers,led to his three-season appointment as publicity director of the University-operated Monomoy Theatre on Cape Cod. Following his graduation, he served as a public affairs intern in the office of National Endowment for the Arts chairman Nancy Hanks, and went on to the position of Publicity Director at the Hartford Stage Company, where he oversaw all media relations while the regional company fund-raised, built and opened a major new facility in downtown Hartford. In 1978, he was staff writer for the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, with responsibility for the content of all printed materials. From 1979-1982 he was Publications Director of Theatre Communications Group, a national service organization in New York City. From 1982 to 1992 he was president and creative director of David J. Skal Associates, Inc. (later Visual Cortex Ltd.), a Manhattan-based, nationally oriented design and marketing consultancy with clients ranging from the Metroplitan Opera to regional theatre, dance and music organizations.
A published writer of short fiction since his early college years (he was one of the youngest students ever admitted to the celebrated Clarion Writers Workshop in fantasy and science fiction), he authored three well-received science fiction novels: SCAVENGERS (1980), WHEN WE WERE GOOD (1981) and ANTIBODIES (1987). His long-standing interest in Dracula and his extensive contacts in the theatre world led to his first nonfiction book, HOLLYWOOD GOTHIC: THE TANGLED WEB OF DRACULA FROM NOVEL TO STAGE TO SCREEN (1990), followed by THE MONSTER SHOW: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF HORROR (1993). Many other books followed, including V IS FOR VAMPIRE (1995); DARK CARNIVAL: THE SECRET WORLD OF TOD BROWNING (1995,with Elias Savada); the Norton Critical Edition of Bram Stoker's DRACULA (1996, co-edited with Nina Auerbach); SCREAMS OF REASON: MAD SCIENCE AND MODERN CULTURE(1997); and the monumental anthology VAMPIRES: ENCOUNTERS WITH THE UNDEAD (2001, the largest such illustrated/annotated compendium ever published.
Skal began his work as a documentary filmmaker writing and co-producing segments for the A&E Network's award-winning series "Biography," and contributed scripts chronicling the lives and careers of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Angela Lansbury (with whom he had worked during his theatre career). In 1999, he wrote, co-produced and co-directed a behind-the-scenes chronicle of the Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS. The same year, he was tapped by Universal Studios Home Video for a series of twelve original DVD documentaries exploring the legacies of the studio's classic horror and science fiction films. His DVD work has continued with Disney Home Video's "Jules Verne and Walt Disney: Explorers of the Imagination" (2003) and the feature commentary for Warner Home Video's special-edition release of Tod Browning's FREAKS (2004).
His current projects include CITIZEN CLONE: THE MORPHING OF AMERICA (Faber and Faber, 2005)and CLAUDE RAINS: AN ACTOR'S VOICE, a biography based on the acclaimed character actor's never-published reminiscences, written in collaboration with the actor's daughter, Jessica Rains.
David Skal is a member of the Authors Guild. He lives and writes in Glendale, California.
Active as an editor and reporter on his high school newspaper, he was granted a journalism scholarship to Ohio University, Athens, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1974. His work as film critic, arts reporter, arts editor and assistant managing editor of the Ohio University Post, one of the country's leading college papers,led to his three-season appointment as publicity director of the University-operated Monomoy Theatre on Cape Cod. Following his graduation, he served as a public affairs intern in the office of National Endowment for the Arts chairman Nancy Hanks, and went on to the position of Publicity Director at the Hartford Stage Company, where he oversaw all media relations while the regional company fund-raised, built and opened a major new facility in downtown Hartford. In 1978, he was staff writer for the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, with responsibility for the content of all printed materials. From 1979-1982 he was Publications Director of Theatre Communications Group, a national service organization in New York City. From 1982 to 1992 he was president and creative director of David J. Skal Associates, Inc. (later Visual Cortex Ltd.), a Manhattan-based, nationally oriented design and marketing consultancy with clients ranging from the Metroplitan Opera to regional theatre, dance and music organizations.
A published writer of short fiction since his early college years (he was one of the youngest students ever admitted to the celebrated Clarion Writers Workshop in fantasy and science fiction), he authored three well-received science fiction novels: SCAVENGERS (1980), WHEN WE WERE GOOD (1981) and ANTIBODIES (1987). His long-standing interest in Dracula and his extensive contacts in the theatre world led to his first nonfiction book, HOLLYWOOD GOTHIC: THE TANGLED WEB OF DRACULA FROM NOVEL TO STAGE TO SCREEN (1990), followed by THE MONSTER SHOW: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF HORROR (1993). Many other books followed, including V IS FOR VAMPIRE (1995); DARK CARNIVAL: THE SECRET WORLD OF TOD BROWNING (1995,with Elias Savada); the Norton Critical Edition of Bram Stoker's DRACULA (1996, co-edited with Nina Auerbach); SCREAMS OF REASON: MAD SCIENCE AND MODERN CULTURE(1997); and the monumental anthology VAMPIRES: ENCOUNTERS WITH THE UNDEAD (2001, the largest such illustrated/annotated compendium ever published.
Skal began his work as a documentary filmmaker writing and co-producing segments for the A&E Network's award-winning series "Biography," and contributed scripts chronicling the lives and careers of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Angela Lansbury (with whom he had worked during his theatre career). In 1999, he wrote, co-produced and co-directed a behind-the-scenes chronicle of the Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS. The same year, he was tapped by Universal Studios Home Video for a series of twelve original DVD documentaries exploring the legacies of the studio's classic horror and science fiction films. His DVD work has continued with Disney Home Video's "Jules Verne and Walt Disney: Explorers of the Imagination" (2003) and the feature commentary for Warner Home Video's special-edition release of Tod Browning's FREAKS (2004).
His current projects include CITIZEN CLONE: THE MORPHING OF AMERICA (Faber and Faber, 2005)and CLAUDE RAINS: AN ACTOR'S VOICE, a biography based on the acclaimed character actor's never-published reminiscences, written in collaboration with the actor's daughter, Jessica Rains.
David Skal is a member of the Authors Guild. He lives and writes in Glendale, California.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 12, 2012
From Vlad the impaler to Edward Cullen, including Angel, Lestat, Barnabas Collins, Bela Lugosi and many others in between this is the compilation of Vampire lore that will satisfy any "fang"-fan. Sprinkle in some Buffy, Eddie Munster, Renfield, and you've got an amazing volume of photos, paintings, and illustrations that will keep any Vampire crazed reader busy for ages.
This book is thick with legend and lore, littered with postcards, and copies of original pieces of Vampire artwork. There are also miniature posters of advertisements for lectures on the subjects of the occult, poems on the" Vampire" tucked into pockets, and maps of regions where they were spotted ages ago. Pages unfold to include newspaper clippings entitled " Vampires in England", personal letters to the editor of The " Daily News", and posters of the original play "Dracula".
Entering into the 20th century there are reproductions of posters from the films of Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Christopher Lee, and many copycats.
Television gets into the act with Dark Shadows and Barnabas Collins becomes a daytime phenom. Count Chocula cereal, drags the genre to new depths.
Stephen King takes a crack at the neck suckers with "Salem's Lot ", and scares the "b' jeezus" out of us, but its Anne Rice who single handedly brings the undead back to life in a fresh new way with romance and SEX. In the mid 1970's with her amazing books beginning with " Interview with a Vampire". Lestat just oozes sex and violence. He not only seduces his victims but he romances them and takes a male lover " Louis". This spawns at least a dozen more books from Rice.
We jaunt back to TV with " Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and later on " True Blood" . Flip flopping back to the movies with "Dracula", starring Frank Langella, and a few parodies with George Hamilton, and friends.
Then the scariest and bloodiest of Vampire tales as told by Coppola, and embodied by Gary Oldman, in 1990 film " Dracula". A new life in the tales of blood suckers brings us "The Lost Boys" with Kiefer Sutherland, and one of my favorites, " Near Dark". Then alas and alack we find ourselves in the present with "Twilight" and it's saga....(?). Hopefully we can move on and find a better representation of the Vampire to continue the legend before they all rise up and punish us for this latest indignity.
This book is thick with legend and lore, littered with postcards, and copies of original pieces of Vampire artwork. There are also miniature posters of advertisements for lectures on the subjects of the occult, poems on the" Vampire" tucked into pockets, and maps of regions where they were spotted ages ago. Pages unfold to include newspaper clippings entitled " Vampires in England", personal letters to the editor of The " Daily News", and posters of the original play "Dracula".
Entering into the 20th century there are reproductions of posters from the films of Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Christopher Lee, and many copycats.
Television gets into the act with Dark Shadows and Barnabas Collins becomes a daytime phenom. Count Chocula cereal, drags the genre to new depths.
Stephen King takes a crack at the neck suckers with "Salem's Lot ", and scares the "b' jeezus" out of us, but its Anne Rice who single handedly brings the undead back to life in a fresh new way with romance and SEX. In the mid 1970's with her amazing books beginning with " Interview with a Vampire". Lestat just oozes sex and violence. He not only seduces his victims but he romances them and takes a male lover " Louis". This spawns at least a dozen more books from Rice.
We jaunt back to TV with " Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and later on " True Blood" . Flip flopping back to the movies with "Dracula", starring Frank Langella, and a few parodies with George Hamilton, and friends.
Then the scariest and bloodiest of Vampire tales as told by Coppola, and embodied by Gary Oldman, in 1990 film " Dracula". A new life in the tales of blood suckers brings us "The Lost Boys" with Kiefer Sutherland, and one of my favorites, " Near Dark". Then alas and alack we find ourselves in the present with "Twilight" and it's saga....(?). Hopefully we can move on and find a better representation of the Vampire to continue the legend before they all rise up and punish us for this latest indignity.
August 14, 2020
3.5 stars
This book was very entertaining. I learned a lot about vampire history in the media. The cool inserts were also fun and really enhanced my enjoyment.
This book was very entertaining. I learned a lot about vampire history in the media. The cool inserts were also fun and really enhanced my enjoyment.
August 18, 2024
Count von Count is purple, not green. There's literally a photo of him on the page so how could they let it go to publishing wrong?
No one pronounces Bela Lugosi's name wrong because of Twilight. Honestly, that's one of the most ludicrous things Skal could have said.
No one pronounces Bela Lugosi's name wrong because of Twilight. Honestly, that's one of the most ludicrous things Skal could have said.
September 9, 2017
Just a really cool collection for vampire fans.
December 11, 2011
I bought this book at Border's closeout sale. (I still can't believe they shut down, so sad). It was a STEAL for $5. This book is great! It's like a picture book for adults.
First, the book is BIG. Second, the pages are thick. Third, the book is FULL COLOR on every page. It's a visual delight! It's yummy to look at and everything is very tastefully and richly put together. There are also lots of pockets with random stuff like postcards, stickers, program booklet reproductions, and other memorabilia.
If I had to describe this book in one sentence "A Fun Visual History of Vampire Pop Culture and Memorabilia." It's so much fun to read because every time you flip a page it's like you get a little gift in the pocket. Some picture book! haha!
Literature-wise...it goes in depth, from Ancient tales, to Gothic writers, to modern culture. It ends with Twilight and True Blood (the latest and biggest vampire trends). The author discusses a variety of vampire media, from movies, to plays, musicals, tv shows, and even fan clubs or vampire wannabes. He wrote about all this and spared no space providing a rich visual architecture.
This book was LOTS of fun!
I recommend it to any vampire fan (big or small), and to teen-level and older. It would definitely make a great gift :-)
First, the book is BIG. Second, the pages are thick. Third, the book is FULL COLOR on every page. It's a visual delight! It's yummy to look at and everything is very tastefully and richly put together. There are also lots of pockets with random stuff like postcards, stickers, program booklet reproductions, and other memorabilia.
If I had to describe this book in one sentence "A Fun Visual History of Vampire Pop Culture and Memorabilia." It's so much fun to read because every time you flip a page it's like you get a little gift in the pocket. Some picture book! haha!
Literature-wise...it goes in depth, from Ancient tales, to Gothic writers, to modern culture. It ends with Twilight and True Blood (the latest and biggest vampire trends). The author discusses a variety of vampire media, from movies, to plays, musicals, tv shows, and even fan clubs or vampire wannabes. He wrote about all this and spared no space providing a rich visual architecture.
This book was LOTS of fun!
I recommend it to any vampire fan (big or small), and to teen-level and older. It would definitely make a great gift :-)
April 12, 2011
This book is absolutely amazing!!! Any die hard fan of vampires needs to own this! I've only skimmed through this book but even SCANNING through it quickly is so much fun! The book has post cards, letters, fliers, maps, pull out poems, famous pictures/paintings, "newspaper" clippings, film strips, posters, stickers, autographs, a mini book, vampire bite tattoos, bumper stickers, even a vampire mask! etc!!!!
This book talks about vampires from the very beginning, all through history, to todays vampires. Don't open this and expect it just to be about Twilight and True Blood. This book goes allll the way back, ALL through history! Which makes me appreciate it.... almost cherishes it. You'll find it even talks about the life style, bands/musicians, movies, shows, paintings, etc. This book really is a piece of art! ;)
I myself will not be taking anything out or using anything that comes with the book. It feels like it could be worth a million bucks one day. lol
This book talks about vampires from the very beginning, all through history, to todays vampires. Don't open this and expect it just to be about Twilight and True Blood. This book goes allll the way back, ALL through history! Which makes me appreciate it.... almost cherishes it. You'll find it even talks about the life style, bands/musicians, movies, shows, paintings, etc. This book really is a piece of art! ;)
I myself will not be taking anything out or using anything that comes with the book. It feels like it could be worth a million bucks one day. lol
February 11, 2017
There's nothing here you can't get from other, better Skal books (except for some obligatory Twilight bashing), but the pictures are lovely and the extras (posters, etc.) are appreciated.
February 23, 2016
This is one BEAUTIFUL Vampire reference book! I am so happy I found this treasure. Totally makes for a great coffee table book. I actually framed one of the postcards of “The Vamp” Theda Bara because I absolutely LOVE her and was quite pleased to see her including. I really can’t get enough of this book and keep flipping through it. Absolutely a superb job by the author, and I hope he makes more reference books similar to this style. :)
March 16, 2011
This is gorgeously illustrated - red roses! candles! pearls! movie stills! paintings! - treasure-chest of vampire fun. There´s vampires from folklore, literature, TV and movies, with posters - added to my wall, thank you! - and removable photos and postcards tucked in the sleeves and pockets. Perfect gift to vampire fan.
August 7, 2011
A fun book that covers a brief history of the vampire legend. Comes with neat postcards and other paraphernalia in the slips in the book. Honestly I can't recommend it if you want to pay over $4.50 for it, though.
August 8, 2011
i really like this book. my mom got it for me and i can't ever put it down. it has tons of cool pull outs to show you, facts and speculation about what made the vampire myth what it is today and so much more!! if you are interested in the phenomenon that is vampires i recommend this book
June 5, 2023
I loved this so much, there was so much to interact with, so many thing s to tickle your senses, god it was all beautiful. I open it all the time and look through it all, careful to keep each piece in there so I can cherish it for all time. Skal does a wonderful job here and I love him for it.
May 16, 2016
This book is both quaint and interesting, containing historical artifacts from movies, books, and art having to do with vampires. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at vampires in popular culture. Entertaining and fun!
December 18, 2010
this is awesome really neet
September 11, 2011
Omg awesome book!!! Love the postcards and vintage movie posters!!!
July 12, 2013
Everyone into vampires should own one of these. You will not be disappointed, new and old vampires alike. It is in scrapbook form and it is awesome.
March 17, 2015
Brief, drop-un-dead-gorgeously illustrated history of vampires. Fun book, great gift.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews