The Book of Were-wolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition

AN AMAZING FIND FROM THE VICTORIAN ERA. Author Sabine Baring-Gould (Squire and Parson of the Parish of Lewtrenchard in West Devon, England, scholar, antiquarian and celebrated composer of the famous Christian hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers"), created a foundation work of modern supernatural lore when he published his definitive book on were wolves in 1862. The book is a fascinating survey of were-wolf lore from the Greek and Roman era to the mid-nineteenth century. Baring-Gould cites 100's of sources as he builds his case for the ?reality? of were-wolverie, from the misunderstanding and distortion of words surrounding the myth to a detailed account of the truths surrounding the Marechal de Retz (the true Bluebeard). His approach to the subject is analytical and modern. His conclusions are extraordinary. By analyzing several famous cases where were-wolves were captured, tried and sometimes executed for their crimes, Baring-Gould , Thirty years before Jack the Ripper, Baring-Gould concluded that were-wolves are what the modern era would later term serial killers or sexual psychopaths, individuals suffering from profound mental illness and sociopathy. Using the best psychological, sociological, historical, mythological and medical theories and ideas of his day, he uncannily identified several key characteristics of these killers. And his conclusions have withstood the test of time. Baring-Gould presents the reader with a surprising, extraordinary and intriguing journey through a poorly understood and dark side of legend, history and human nature. This book is surprising, extraordinary and fun to read. WITH 45 ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHS