Urban Legends

by Nick Harding

Pocket Essentials is a dynamic series of books that are concise, lively, and easy to read. Packed with facts as well as expert opinions, each book has all the key information you need to know about such popular topics as film, television, cult fiction, history, and more. In this book, Nick Harding sets out to describe a host of urban legends, suggesting that we should not dismiss them purely as nonsense, nor accept them as gospel truth. But by striving to understand their underlying meanings, we begin to see their true worth as folklore for the modern world. To understand folklore and therefore the realm of the urban legend is to understand the psyche of a nation, and we can gain insight into our own fears and those of our fellow human beings.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Viola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Īss un konspektīvs pētījums par urbāno leģendu rašanos, attīstību un nozīmi kultūrā. Turklāt šīs legendas nav tikai nevainīgs pastāsts, ar ko izklaidēt draugus lietainos vakaros. Bieži šīm leģendām ir lielāka ietekme nekā varam iedomāties. Piemēram, daudzi ir dzirdējuši spocīgo leģendu par Slendermenu. ASV divām 12 gadīgām meitenēm šī leģenda likās tik īsta, ka viņas mēģināja nogalināt savu draudzeni kā upuri Slendermenam.

[Z.S · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book is a rather good basic primer, but unfortunately the author exhibits a rather conspicuous leftist bent that over time becomes quite annoying. To him, all urban legends are the faecal byproduct of patriarchal racists, sexists and other bugbears that offend the left. He even relays as a fact the long debunked rumor that the Reichstag fire was a Nazi inside job, but annoyingly tries to reassure the reader how "9-11" happened exactly as we are told by the truthful press. He comically urges racists to get a grip because old men with 12-yo girls in South Africa is a "cultural fact". Perhaps he is willing to cut slack to radical Mormon polygamous sects that swap child brides, too: what a farce. He also gives too much credite to the SNOPES site, another outfit of the radical left manned by biased kooks.

[Andrew Lennon · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad. nice easy read. but I wanted to read more urban legends as opposed to just be told the general background of the majority

[Karine Lelièvre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well narrated... very informative

[Alexramdhanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Urban Legends by Nick Harding is one of the most important, significant UL books out there. Complete with the legend, an informative essay and it's origin, this book sure does deliver on a professional level and a fun level. I would surely recommend this novel, but I suggest you read Brunvand first!

Rating 4.6/5.0

Warning! This novel does have some adult characteristics so I developed things you may need to watch out for: 15+ For Some Gruesome Violent Content, Strong Sexuality, Nudity and Brief Language

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