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Wednesday, December 29, 2010
title: WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters And Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil
authors: Jonathan Maberry & Janice Gable Bashman
genre: nonfiction
pages: 363
published: 2010
first line: To many, Cain's killing of his brother Abel was not only the first murder, but the first crime.
rated: 3 out of 5 
WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters And Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil is a type of reference guide for horror fans.
This book is full of interesting information about the paranormal, fictional as well as real life monsters, and folklore among other things. Artwork from various sources is included throughout the book.
One chapter I enjoyed in particular was 'Legendary Heroes'. They discuss several different heroes from the fictional ones, James Bond to Rocky Balboa to Indiana Jones, to real life heroes like Mother Teresa and Rosa Parks.
We all love a good hero-a champion who triumphs over obstacles, who perseveres when hope seems lost, and who manages, somehow, to emerge a better person on the other end of the struggle.
p. 100
Another interesting chapter was 'Who You Gonna Call?' which centered on ghosts and hauntings. Famous haunts such as the Bell Witch and Lizzie Borden's house are discussed as well as techniques and equipment used on ghost hunts.
There is a chapter devoted to demonic possession and exorcism and the different types of rituals different cultures and religions use to get rid of evil spirits.
Another chapter discusses weapons used to fight evil, such as amulets and charms. There are a few chapters devoted to different kinds of vampires and vampire history as well as famous vamp slayers like Buffy and Van Helsing.
It's impossible to create a definitive list of vampiric powers or vulnerabilities because they vary from culture to culture. Most vampires from folklore do not fear sunlight or the cross. Stakes won't kill them, they can cross running water, mirrors are irrelevant, and they don't have to obtain permission before entering a house.
p. 37
One chapter is about serial killers and how they are evil real life monsters. I was kind of reading this chapter with just one eye open since I was a bit squeamish about the topic. But the serial killer issue is one that is morbidly fascinating and I couldn't help but read on. They do list different serial killers and their crimes, and I was surprised to see some date back to as early as the
1700's.
I could really go on and on, this book is full of information about the paranormal, villains, heroes and monster folklore.
WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE: Vampire Hunters And Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil comes complete with a list of 100 top villains of all time. Who are the top three? 1. Darth Vader 2. Hannibal Lecter
3. Norman Bates.
I'd recommend this book to fans of horror and things that go bump in the night.
Special thanks to Janice Gable Bashman for this opportunity.
