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The Science of Vampires
Are any vampire myths based on fact? Bloodsucking villain to guilt-ridden loner—what has inspired the redemption of the vampire in fiction and film? What is Vampire Personality Disorder? What causes a physical addiction to another person's blood? Are there any boundaries in the polysexual world of vampires? How could a vampire hide in today's world of advanced forensic science? What is the psychopathology of the vampire? What happens in the brain of a vampire's victim?
Since Bram Stoker's Dracula was published in 1897, the concept of the vampire has evolved from supernatural creature of the night to reluctant bloodsucker to the sympathetic vampire of today's popular culture. Featuring interviews with forensic experts, creative artists, and real-life bloodsuckers, The Science of Vampires offers a fascinating investigation into the myths and realities of the vampire, exploring every aspect of the dark force that has played host to our fears of infections, depletions, alien influence, and disease. From vampirism's roots in ancient legend through its post-modern redefinition in contemporary films and novels to its scientific evolution as a very real mental disorder, Ramsland proves just how immortal, enigmatic, and seductive the lure of blood can be.
Since Bram Stoker's Dracula was published in 1897, the concept of the vampire has evolved from supernatural creature of the night to reluctant bloodsucker to the sympathetic vampire of today's popular culture. Featuring interviews with forensic experts, creative artists, and real-life bloodsuckers, The Science of Vampires offers a fascinating investigation into the myths and realities of the vampire, exploring every aspect of the dark force that has played host to our fears of infections, depletions, alien influence, and disease. From vampirism's roots in ancient legend through its post-modern redefinition in contemporary films and novels to its scientific evolution as a very real mental disorder, Ramsland proves just how immortal, enigmatic, and seductive the lure of blood can be.
305 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
18 people are currently reading
860 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Ramsland
104 books695 followersI've loved books since I was 3, and the library was a highlight of my childhood. I've been fortunate to be able to find great joy in what others have written and sometimes to give this to readers. I follow my own muse, because it leads me on interesting adventures. I began my writing career with "Prism of the Night: A Biography of Anne Rice." I had a bestseller with "The Vampire Companion." Since then, I've published 69 books and over 2,500 articles, reviews and short stories. I have also been an executive producer for "Murder House Flip" and "BTK: Confession of a Serial Killer." From ghosts to vampires to serial killers, I have taken on a variety of dark subjects, mostly in crime and forensics. I hold graduate degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, creative writing and philosophy. Currently, I teach forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University. My books include "I Scream Man," "How to Catch a Killer", "Confession of a Serial Killer", "The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds", "The Mind of a Murderer", "The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation", "Inside the Minds of Serial Killers", "Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators", and "Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers". My background in forensic studies positioned me to assist former FBI profiler John Douglas on his book, "The Cases that Haunt Us", and to co-write a book with former FBI profiler, Gregg McCrary, "The Unknown Darkness", as well as "Spree Killers" with Mark Safarik, "The Real Life of a Forensic Scientist" with Henry C. Lee, and "A Voice for the Dead" with James Starrs. I speak internationally about forensic psychology, forensic science, and serial murder, and has appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as such programs as The Today Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, NPR, Dr. Oz, Coast to Coast, Montel Williams, Larry King Live and E! True Hollywood. Currently, I'm working on a fiction series, The Nut Cracker Investigations, which features a female forensic psychologist who manages a PI agency. "I Scream Man" is the first one.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 29, 2008
A good book, if a bit scattered and disorganized. Ramsland really covers three topics, whatever the title might actually imply about the book's focus. First off, she discusses the cultural history of vampires, from Eastern European folklore, to Bram Stoker's iconic re-invention, to the dawning of the vampire as Romantic anti-hero. She also discusses the modern development of the vampire into a sort of New Age god, and its implications in modern spiritual circles.
Secondly, she talks about the science behind vampires -- a hypothetical "what if" that discusses how vampires might biologically exist. This is all speculation of course, but it's very interesing speculation: everything from the microbiology necessary for immortality, to a vampire's possible digestive system, to the possible explanations for some of the common "vulnerabilities" found in vampire myths. For this section, she draws primarily on the European figure that has become popularized in Western literature, and creates a "composite" vampire from the most common legends and myths. Otherwise, it would be nigh on impossible for her to catalogue all the different aspects of the vampire myth.
Thirdly, Ramsland discusses real cases of vampire-related crimes. Ramsland has a Ph.D in forensics, and this is one of the areas where she shines. She divides "vampire crimes" or "vampire criminals" into three types: 1) Clinical vampirism, or those crimes committed by people who delusionally believe themselves to be vampires or otherwise commit their crimes under some kind of psychotic delusion. 2) Those with psychosexual paraphilias or other disorders that lead to a connection between blood and some kind of excitement. These individuals don't actually believe themselves to be vampires, or that the blood has any special power, but there is a deep connection between blood or mutilation, that leads them to such grotesque crimes. 3) Those few who commit crimes out of the "coolness factor" of the vampire, often teenagers who become involved in the cult-like magnetism of vampire mythology and immerse themselves in it. She examines all three of these types of crimes and criminals with interesting case studies and examinations of just how the vampire mythology has affected these individuals.
The book is really a wealth of intriguing information. It's one detracting point is that it is rather disorganized. Her "cultural study" is split between the first and last parts of the book, and the scientific discussions are scattered throughout. There's a method to the madness, definitely, but she sometimes gets quite off topic and doesn't return to a given point for some while -- sometimes not for several chapters or more.
Secondly, she talks about the science behind vampires -- a hypothetical "what if" that discusses how vampires might biologically exist. This is all speculation of course, but it's very interesing speculation: everything from the microbiology necessary for immortality, to a vampire's possible digestive system, to the possible explanations for some of the common "vulnerabilities" found in vampire myths. For this section, she draws primarily on the European figure that has become popularized in Western literature, and creates a "composite" vampire from the most common legends and myths. Otherwise, it would be nigh on impossible for her to catalogue all the different aspects of the vampire myth.
Thirdly, Ramsland discusses real cases of vampire-related crimes. Ramsland has a Ph.D in forensics, and this is one of the areas where she shines. She divides "vampire crimes" or "vampire criminals" into three types: 1) Clinical vampirism, or those crimes committed by people who delusionally believe themselves to be vampires or otherwise commit their crimes under some kind of psychotic delusion. 2) Those with psychosexual paraphilias or other disorders that lead to a connection between blood and some kind of excitement. These individuals don't actually believe themselves to be vampires, or that the blood has any special power, but there is a deep connection between blood or mutilation, that leads them to such grotesque crimes. 3) Those few who commit crimes out of the "coolness factor" of the vampire, often teenagers who become involved in the cult-like magnetism of vampire mythology and immerse themselves in it. She examines all three of these types of crimes and criminals with interesting case studies and examinations of just how the vampire mythology has affected these individuals.
The book is really a wealth of intriguing information. It's one detracting point is that it is rather disorganized. Her "cultural study" is split between the first and last parts of the book, and the scientific discussions are scattered throughout. There's a method to the madness, definitely, but she sometimes gets quite off topic and doesn't return to a given point for some while -- sometimes not for several chapters or more.
March 12, 2024
How are you going to write a book called "The Science of Vampires" and not include a single footnote or endnote? And you're a ph.d? My expectations are always low for this kind of thing, but holy shit. I could not find any way to distinguish the author's own opinions from those of her sources in a lot of instances. You can't blather on about dark matter, quantum physics, and forensic technology without citing your sources. How are people supposed to learn more or fact-check? And no, your scanty bibliography in the back doesn't solve the problem.
I realize this is quite possibly the nerdiest complaint ever. I do not care. I read a lot of this weird science crap and this is possibly the most poorly sourced work I've read that wasn't self-published on kindle.
I realize this is quite possibly the nerdiest complaint ever. I do not care. I read a lot of this weird science crap and this is possibly the most poorly sourced work I've read that wasn't self-published on kindle.
August 26, 2007
absolutely brilliant. did a paper for college on this book. got an A
January 2, 2011
I have never read one of these "science" of books before. (Yes, I read Science of Discworld but that is a real science book). This was at one of those really, really cheap bookstores. It was under $5.00.
Which was still too much for it.
Here's a list of problems.
1. Nothing new in terms of analysis of Dracula. In fact, I'm not convinced Ramsland even read Dracula.
2. Nothing new about vampires in general. In fact, Ramsland quotes from many other books, which you are better off reading. Check out Vampires, Burial, and Death and move on from there.
3. The science isn't really science, and seems to take the "fun" or the fear out of vampires.
4. The "best" (and I use that adjective very, very loosely) is where Ramsland tries to look at why the view of vampires has changed. However, she doesn't really spend much time on this and when it starts to get intersting, she changes the topic.
5. What is strange is the amount of popular vampire literature she doesn't mention. Considering the books copyright, she should have mention Tanya Huff and Laurell K. Hamilton. Instead she focuses on vampire books that are laregely out of print.
Which was still too much for it.
Here's a list of problems.
1. Nothing new in terms of analysis of Dracula. In fact, I'm not convinced Ramsland even read Dracula.
2. Nothing new about vampires in general. In fact, Ramsland quotes from many other books, which you are better off reading. Check out Vampires, Burial, and Death and move on from there.
3. The science isn't really science, and seems to take the "fun" or the fear out of vampires.
4. The "best" (and I use that adjective very, very loosely) is where Ramsland tries to look at why the view of vampires has changed. However, she doesn't really spend much time on this and when it starts to get intersting, she changes the topic.
5. What is strange is the amount of popular vampire literature she doesn't mention. Considering the books copyright, she should have mention Tanya Huff and Laurell K. Hamilton. Instead she focuses on vampire books that are laregely out of print.
April 1, 2011
Read this. Just do it. Especially if love macabre facts as much as I do. If you are strictly about the vampire fiction, then I guess I'll give you a pass and say that perhaps you should not read this as it may bore you. This takes real life facts about death and dying that, one, explains the suspicions people had in earlier centuries about people being vampires or preyed on by vampires, and two, how perhaps vampirism could exist in the modern scientific world. Fascinating stuff for me!
couldn-t-finish
December 22, 2008This started out as an amusing concept, but the author couldn't decide whether it was going to be tongue-in-cheek, or a serious look at the concept of vampires, how it's evolved through the ages, etc. This resulted in frustration, as I tried to figure out what was bad science done tongue-in-cheek, and what I was supposed to be taking semi-seriously.
Read
December 27, 2017I thought this was an incredible book. I break from the Subculture of Role Players, Fangsmith, Elaborate Parties, Debauchery, and made up titles and "Legacies".
Not for the Typical Pretend Fang group. This a Thinking Person book.
Not for the Typical Pretend Fang group. This a Thinking Person book.
October 17, 2012
Oh my long lasting love of vampires has finally panned out to more than just the fiction/horror shelves. I, first and foremost, have to applaud Katherine Ramsland's sheer force of will, vampire myths and tales have been around since the Egyptians, and just plodding through all that information takes more sanity than I even have.
Anyone who may question the actual science of this book need only to look at Ramslands credentials: a masters degree in Forensic Psychology, another masters degree in Clinical Psychology, and on top of that a PhD in Philosophy—yes, yes, it's not science, but what PhD biologist would lower their pompous selves down to study vampires or the supernatural? Plus she's worked with FBI profiler's to boot.
So armed with her already vast academic knowledge and an almost obsessive eye for research, Ramsland takes apart each of the main myths associated with vampires. For example, she theorizes just how an actual entity might be able to consume pure blood with no ill effects, explores conditions which might explain why vampires cannot come out during the day, as well as takes a stab at what profiling a vampire's personality, and, of course, explores the question of whether or not vampires use their reproductive organs--Sorry Cullen fans their junk is for show only--as well as vampire sexuality in general. On top of all this research she interviews forensic experts as well as people who associate with the so called vampire sub-culture. This may not be of interest to any of the new vampire fans (those that only like vampires because of Stephanie Meyer) both because it came out in 2002 as well as she stays with the more traditional vampiric roles. In fact I believe she would agree in saying that vampires do not glitter, sparkle, or go to high school over and over again. What she does do is introduce and attempt to explain the myths behind vampires in a logical, scientific manner, which in the realm of vampires is a breath of fresh air. Anyone who is interested in many of the traditional myths behind vampires and would like to explore a more scientific route than that of speculative metaphysics should check out Katherine Ramslands The Science of Vampires. For those that are interested in less "out there" concepts Ramsland also has a host of books in the True Crime CSI realm as well which I'll vouch for.
Anyone who may question the actual science of this book need only to look at Ramslands credentials: a masters degree in Forensic Psychology, another masters degree in Clinical Psychology, and on top of that a PhD in Philosophy—yes, yes, it's not science, but what PhD biologist would lower their pompous selves down to study vampires or the supernatural? Plus she's worked with FBI profiler's to boot.
So armed with her already vast academic knowledge and an almost obsessive eye for research, Ramsland takes apart each of the main myths associated with vampires. For example, she theorizes just how an actual entity might be able to consume pure blood with no ill effects, explores conditions which might explain why vampires cannot come out during the day, as well as takes a stab at what profiling a vampire's personality, and, of course, explores the question of whether or not vampires use their reproductive organs--Sorry Cullen fans their junk is for show only--as well as vampire sexuality in general. On top of all this research she interviews forensic experts as well as people who associate with the so called vampire sub-culture. This may not be of interest to any of the new vampire fans (those that only like vampires because of Stephanie Meyer) both because it came out in 2002 as well as she stays with the more traditional vampiric roles. In fact I believe she would agree in saying that vampires do not glitter, sparkle, or go to high school over and over again. What she does do is introduce and attempt to explain the myths behind vampires in a logical, scientific manner, which in the realm of vampires is a breath of fresh air. Anyone who is interested in many of the traditional myths behind vampires and would like to explore a more scientific route than that of speculative metaphysics should check out Katherine Ramslands The Science of Vampires. For those that are interested in less "out there" concepts Ramsland also has a host of books in the True Crime CSI realm as well which I'll vouch for.
June 26, 2014
Book Info: Genre: Non-fiction, exploration of mythology/legends/lore
Reading Level: Adults
Recommended for: The vampire obsessed
My Thoughts: Honestly, I was a bit disappointed in this book. Oh, there's a lot of information, and lots of other books that are referenced, but I wanted something more scientific, and this was more the exploration of the myths and legends with a sort of “what if?” theme, and the cultural phenomenon of vampires and those trying to emulate them. If you're vampire obsessed and want to read everything about vampires you can put your hands upon, then you will likely find something of interest in this book.
Disclosure: This book was given to me as a gift. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Are any vampire myths based on fact?
Bloodsucking villain to guilt-ridden loner—what has inspired the redemption of the vampire in fiction and film?
What is Vampire Personality Disorder? What causes a physical addiction to another person’s blood?
Are there any boundaries in the polysexual world of vampires?
How could a vampire hide in today’s world of advanced forensic science?
What is the psychopathology of the vampire?
What happens in the brain of a vampire’s victim?
Reading Level: Adults
Recommended for: The vampire obsessed
My Thoughts: Honestly, I was a bit disappointed in this book. Oh, there's a lot of information, and lots of other books that are referenced, but I wanted something more scientific, and this was more the exploration of the myths and legends with a sort of “what if?” theme, and the cultural phenomenon of vampires and those trying to emulate them. If you're vampire obsessed and want to read everything about vampires you can put your hands upon, then you will likely find something of interest in this book.
Disclosure: This book was given to me as a gift. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Are any vampire myths based on fact?
Bloodsucking villain to guilt-ridden loner—what has inspired the redemption of the vampire in fiction and film?
What is Vampire Personality Disorder? What causes a physical addiction to another person’s blood?
Are there any boundaries in the polysexual world of vampires?
How could a vampire hide in today’s world of advanced forensic science?
What is the psychopathology of the vampire?
What happens in the brain of a vampire’s victim?
July 1, 2013
While never actually postulating the vampires exist, Ramsland does trace the evolution of the vampire myth and introduce theories as to a) how natural phenomena could explain the myth(s) and b) how the myth(s) might work in forensic science. This is an excellent work of non-fiction and should be placed in the hands of a student who love vampire mythology and has a love for science. It can be selected for the collection on the basis of Value to the Collection as we have no other non-fiction books addressing the myth. It may also be selected on the basis of authority as Ramsland has degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, and philosophy. It is also relevant as the vampire fad does not seem to be fading. While forensic science is not an SOL subject, the scientific process as so ably addressed in this book appears in all science SOLs.
VASOL PH.3 a-e
VASOL PH.3 a-e
December 11, 2012
A unique and quite fascinating book written with the assistance of a battery of professionals: medical doctors, neurophysicists, physicists, forensics, psychiatrists, etc on how vampires could be actual "living" entities. It shows, through the use of science, how each of the "special abilities" of vampires can be explained in scientific terms. An absolutely fascinating book. I wish there were more like it to explain other (previously considered) "mythological" beings.
For anyone interested in vampires, but also an outstanding book from an author's perspective (should I ever decide to write about vampires), this is definitely a must read!
For anyone interested in vampires, but also an outstanding book from an author's perspective (should I ever decide to write about vampires), this is definitely a must read!
April 10, 2021
The book overall was quite interesting; it dissected every aspect of the vampire from biological to psychological to cultural. The only aspect of the book a reader would have to surmount (unless you are crazy about biology) would be the first three chapters in which the author dives into the biological aspect of vampires in textbook-style details.
May 16, 2024
This was a trip into nostalgia for teenage me, the perfect combo of forensics and vampires. Ramsland takes how the vampire is portrayed in folklore, fiction, and film, and extrapolates to the field of forensic science and psychology. Since the book was published in 2002, the science is a bit dated, but there were still some interesting nuggets.
August 30, 2008
Fascinating and broad-ranging discussion of how vampires might work if they were real, from folklore to modern role-playing. The science isn't so deep it gets dull, and there are lots of interviews and first-hand accounts to keep the author's voice from growing monotonous.
September 6, 2008
This book was alright. Nothing that great
February 26, 2010
BORING
November 4, 2018
Really used good science, in a helpful way.
A must read book, no matter what side of the fence you're on.
A must read book, no matter what side of the fence you're on.
November 11, 2019
This was a fun read for lovers of vampire lore and biology.
February 10, 2022
A fun and interesting book to read to follow both the history and potential science behind this creature.
November 29, 2025
Draculas are really more of an art than a science.
The opposite of a dry academic work, this is a surprisingly wet academic work. A thorough and well-researched investigation into the science of vampirism as concept and literary archetype. It is written very accessibly and is, if nothing else, a treasure trove of other vampire content in its citations. It is engaging and interesting aside from that though and very thorough. Even if it only follows ideas down their road for a moment it takes the time to consider every thread it picks up. One of the most readable academic works I have stumbled on. I will likely reread it.
"A better question is, Could Vampires exist? and the answer might depend on such things as cellular structures, dark energy, and the drug DMT."
3.5 PhD(raculas) out of 5
🧛🏻♂️🧛🏻♂️🧛🏻♂️.5⬛⬛
The opposite of a dry academic work, this is a surprisingly wet academic work. A thorough and well-researched investigation into the science of vampirism as concept and literary archetype. It is written very accessibly and is, if nothing else, a treasure trove of other vampire content in its citations. It is engaging and interesting aside from that though and very thorough. Even if it only follows ideas down their road for a moment it takes the time to consider every thread it picks up. One of the most readable academic works I have stumbled on. I will likely reread it.
"A better question is, Could Vampires exist? and the answer might depend on such things as cellular structures, dark energy, and the drug DMT."
3.5 PhD(raculas) out of 5
🧛🏻♂️🧛🏻♂️🧛🏻♂️.5⬛⬛
November 20, 2023
For a book on the science of vampires, very little of this book is dedicated to the science. There are some nifty bits on DNA and telomeres, and I wanted more of that sort of thing. The comparison of dark energy to vampirism was... desperate. The frequent relapse to synopses of vampires stories, novels and films came across feeling like filler. Not a bad book, but a disappointment.
March 3, 2017
Really loved this book. It's very, very interesting and really does an excellent job of explaining how vampires could exist -- if they did. It's scientific, but entertaining. A great read for those interested in the supernatural.
June 8, 2010
35 books/2010
My bestest buddy bought this book for me because I love me some vampire fiction. I was excited AND dubious, because the words "science" and "vampire" were together in a title. I was afraid it might be cultish and silly and perhaps filled with too much science lingo. I was wrong! There is a bit of science talk which I sort of skimmed, but it's pretty anthropological with insights into Dracula and other literary bigwigs.
My bestest buddy bought this book for me because I love me some vampire fiction. I was excited AND dubious, because the words "science" and "vampire" were together in a title. I was afraid it might be cultish and silly and perhaps filled with too much science lingo. I was wrong! There is a bit of science talk which I sort of skimmed, but it's pretty anthropological with insights into Dracula and other literary bigwigs.
August 14, 2015
More "how vampires might come to about in the future" rather than a present- or past-based focus. Still informative, the marketing just didn't quite come across properly to me. Also, there's an odd preoccupation with Dracula, when I'd rather hear about earlier legends or just talk about possible future developments, one or the other...
December 24, 2013
A little gruesome in spots, but a good introduction to what science reveals about vampires. More remarks can be found here: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
June 11, 2007
disturbing, awesome, same lady who did bio for Anne Rice
March 9, 2009
The vampire lover and science nerd in me collide!!! From history to religion to science, this book is fascinating!!! I have never looked at vampires the same way since.
January 3, 2017
A little all over the map. Tries to cover too much ground with little depth. Interesting material, but didn't feel completely thought out. Another draft or two.
June 5, 2023
Absolute perfection, I loved that she talked about modern day vampires. I couldn't have asked for this book to be better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews