Werewolves: A Field Guide to Shapeshifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts

Werewolves: A Field Guide to Shapeshifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts

Product Description
Most of us are familiar with the idea of a werewolf--that someone can change, either deliberately or unwillingly, into a ravenous creature--but is there some justification for such a belief? And if so, how is it achieved--through magical potions or ointments or simply by the light of the full moon? Or is the whole thing simply a form of delusion, the product of a disturbed mind?

In Werewolves, author Dr. Bob Curran examines the deep psychological roots that underlie this profane linking of human and beast. Do the roots of such a belief lie in the supernatural world, or are there other explanations? How has the discovery of feral children shaped our ideas of human-beasts? And what is the future of such beliefs? The author also considers the use of genetic engineering--in this case, the fusing of human and animal genes--in order to cure some human diseases and alleviate suffering. Is the idea of man turning into beast really so far fetched?

Werewolves is an essential reference book that takes an in-depth look at a fascinating subject. One word of warning, though: It must never be read under the baleful rays of a full moon. You have been warned!

About the Author
Dr. Bob Curran was born in County Down, Northern Ireland. After leaving school, he held down a number of jobs and traveled extensively in several countries. Returning to Northern Ireland, he went to University before becoming a teacher and lecturer. He now works as a writer and broadcaster, as well as in a cultural and educational advisory capacity for a number of governmental organizations. Curran is the author of numerous books including the popular Vampires, Zombies, and Lost Lands, Forgotten Realms. He currently lives in the very north of Ireland with his wife and young family. He appears frequently on Coast to Coast AM and other radio programs.

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When asked if I would be interested in reviewing WEREWOLVES, I said Yes! without any hesitation. Previously I reviewed Bob Curran’s ZOMBIES & loved it. Same feeling about Werewolves. Curran has discovered a format that works very well because his supernatural work can appeal to just about any readership & individual level of interest in the subject. In fact, his books have filled a certain void in my nocturnal routine. For years I read Agatha Christie mysteries before going to sleep—all 100 + of them. I love mysteries & really appreciate the sly and not so sly humor in Christie’s work. She had a wonderfully “modern” sense of humor. However, after re-reading the entire collection six or sevens times (fact!), I finally needed a new literary addiction, but by then I really only had time to peruse review books for this site. That meant either politics, religion, archaeology, metaphysics or astrophysics—hardly relaxing fare. Unlike the gentle soma of Agatha Christie, late at night these other books would jack me up (the good ones) or give me a headache (the not so good ones).

Then I discovered Bob Curran’s great work.

I’ve gone to some length in explaining my literary sleep disorder because I don’t want to convey the impression that Curran’s supernatural thrillers actually put me to sleep, they just relax me so I can sleep. Then there’s the added pleasure that these books are most appropriately read at night anway—and good thunder storm would be a real plus too!

Curran’s books are FUN, and the fact that you can really learn a lot about the spooky subjects presented, is a sure fire formula for success. The author deftly delves in the historic & cultural milieu in anticipation of then presenting the various stories, fables & legends about werewolves—and there’s a lot more than you might think.

One of my favorites is a story set in Ireland.

The story takes place in “only a few years before the arrival of Prince John in Ireland." A werewolf approaches a traveling priest & a young companion. He begs the priest to follow him to an isolated spot were his wife is dying. The female werewolf desires to receive the last rites. When the priest sees the elderly wolf, he’s concerned that the creature was not a human at all (can’t imagine why, after all he’s been guided all night by a male werewolf.) Anyway, the priest is finally convinced & administers the sacred services requested & the old woman (as she then appeared) dies peacefully. As promised, the male wolf leads the priest & the young boy back to their campsite.

The wolf guided him back to his fire as morning approached, and after making prophecies about the continuation of the English in Ireland, disappeared back into the woodlands. Page 97.

I had to chuckle when I read this, having a certain familiarity with Irish temperament & concerns. What else would you expect from an itinerant, good ol’ Irish werewolf ? It also reminded me of an illustration for St. John’s Apocalypse. The scene depicts “The Beast” in a doglike form, preaching to an assortment of pilgrims from all walks of life. “Dog Men” are also mentioned in Curran’s book.

In the course of WEREWOLVES the author also lays out the cultural, social and even economic basis of the phenomena. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, was highly involved with the apparent explosion of the lycanthrope population in pre-Renaissance Europe. Incidentally, Bob Curran claims that the first known depiction of a werewolf was on 13,000 BCE cave painting beneath the Pyrenees in France.