The Secret History of Vampires

Exploring historical accounts of the undead, the book reveals a diverse array of vampire-like figures beyond the familiar bloodsucker, including shroud eaters and appesarts. Claude Lecouteux delves into ancient records, uncovering beliefs in vampires that date back to Roman times, featuring entities like lamia and stirges. He challenges modern scientific explanations by revisiting folk beliefs about multiple souls, suggesting that not all can transition to the afterlife. This work provides a fresh perspective on the vampire mythos rooted in historical and cultural narratives.