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The Book of Were-Wolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition — True Crime

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

Name: The Book of Were-Wolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781668233146

✍️ Stephen Graham Jones

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$20.00 ~~$26.00~~ Save $6.00 (23%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1865 study of werewolf superstition with an introduction by Stephen Graham Jones.

The text examines the thin line between humanity and beasthood as described in old tales. It covers confessions and true crime elements alongside folklore about shape-shifting creatures. The work connects these stories to a fear as vast as human anxiety itself. Readers find accounts of men drifting into animal forms and wolves working with dark forces. This edition preserves the strange volume that influenced many horror authors over decades.

Key Themes

werewolf superstition shape-shifting folklore true crime history

Literary Context

Published in 1865, this work sits at the edge of horror lore. It has been whispered about by fans for generations. The book traces beliefs as old as Arcadia. It remains a rare volume passed among devoted readers until now.

Stephen Graham Jones

📚 all books by this author (74) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Ramsey Campbell · Robert Bloch · Daphne du Maurier

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True Crime

🏛 S&s/Saga Press 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781668233146

📚 This Book in Collections

🐺 Werewolf & Shapeshifter Fiction 🆕 New Horror Books

📝 Description: The Book of Were-Wolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition

Sabine Baring-Gould’s The Book of Were-Wolves stands as a serious study of a superstition that spans from Arcadia to modern human fear. First published in 1865, this volume moves through folklore, confession, and what is now called true crime. It traces stories of wolves allied with the devil and men who shift into shapes like bears, serpents, or hyenas. The text examines a boundary between human and beast that dissolves under moonlight. This ancient work has long prowled the edges of horror lore, passed quietly among devoted fans. Now, a stunning hardcover edition brings it back into the light. Modern horror master Stephen Graham Jones introduces this dark and curious classic. His introduction helps summon the ancient lore contained within these pages for a new generation of readers. This book suits those interested in historical superstition and the origins of werewolf myths. It may not appeal to readers seeking modern fiction or simple entertainment, as it is a scholarly account of a terrible belief. The volume remains a rare artifact that imprinted itself on the minds of horror writers for generations.

💎 Our verdict on The Book of Were-Wolves: Being an Account of a Terrible Superstition

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Sabine Baring-Gould’s work is a dense, scholarly artifact that demands patience from its audience. While it offers a fascinating look at confessions and folklore regarding shape-shifting creatures, it is explicitly not designed for readers seeking simple entertainment or modern narrative fiction. Those looking for fast-paced plots or straightforward horror thrills will likely find the tone dry and academic. However, dedicated students of the genre who enjoy dissecting the historical roots of fear will appreciate this rare artifact that has influenced generations of writers.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the genealogy of horror tropes will find immense value in this scholarly examination of werewolf lore. It is ideal for those who appreciate how historical superstitions evolve into modern psychological fears, offering a deep dive into the boundary between humanity and beasthood. The inclusion of an introduction by Stephen Graham Jones connects this 1865 study to contemporary dark fantasy, making it relevant for fans of cosmic horror and true crime enthusiasts alike. It appeals to those who view horror not merely as entertainment but as a reflection of vast human anxiety and cultural dread.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Academics and lore hunters craving primary sources will devour this. If you want quick scares or modern plot-driven narratives, skip it; this is a dense historical study, not a pulpy thriller.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it is a non-fiction scholarly examination of historical beliefs. However, Stephen Graham Jones’s introduction adds a layer of atmospheric horror suitable for genre fans.

This offers the root source material that inspired countless modern stories. It provides essential context on how human fear of the beast has evolved over centuries.

📖 Who should read this

Academics and lore hunters craving primary sources will devour this. If you want quick scares or modern plot-driven narratives, skip it; this is a dense historical study, not a pulpy thriller.

📜 Historical context

Sitting firmly in the Victorian era of anthropological inquiry, Baring-Gould’s 1865 treatise predates modern genre fiction yet deeply influenced the Gothic tradition. By cataloging confessions and folk tales from Arcadia to contemporary fears, it bridges the gap between religious superstition and early true crime. Stephen Graham Jones’s new introduction recontextualizes this foundational text for today’s horror enthusiasts, highlighting its role in shaping the literary archetype of the shapeshifter.