Jenkins, Mark Collins. Vampire Forensics
National Geographic 2010 303p 25.00
978-1-4262-0607-8 hs/adult VG
This book examines the legend of vampires using historical texts, anthropological data, and archeological artifacts. This title was also a show on the National Geographic Channel. This book examines the legend of vampires using historical texts, anthropological data and archeological artifacts. Jenkins, a former National Geographic historian, who still writes for the organization, writes about vampires historically from multicultural viewpoints, relating what he has researched to the current fascination with vampires. Jenkins cites literature from centuries ago, as well as recent vampire media such as film, to show that a vampire like creature has been associated with many cultures throughout history. The writing is rather academic and will help fans of the current romantic type vampire writings and films learn where the legend came from and how it has evolved throughout the years. This title was also a show on the National Geographic Channel on cable television and is available as a dvd as well. Jenkins has included extensive chapter notes for each chapter, a quite large selected bibliography, and an intensive index. I do question why there is no reference to the Twilight series of books that seem to have sparked further the young adult interest in vampires as romantic figures. However, this book will be a very good selection for high school libraries where there is interest in the subject as this title may inspire further research on the topic of the “undead”. This book will be a very good selection for high school libraries where there is interest in the subject as this title may inspire further research on the topic of the “undead”. Weinraub, Tina
