Product Description

The true story behind the legend of Dracula - a biography of Prince Vlad of Transylvania, better known as Vlad the Impaler. This revised edition now includes entries from Bram Stoker's recently discovered diaries, the amazing tale of Nicolae Ceausescu's attempt to make Vlad a national hero, and an examination of recent adaptations in fiction, stage and screen.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #154880 in Books
• Published on: 1994-10-31
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Amazon.com
"Little did the coauthors realize at the time they embarked upon this project over a glass of plum brandy in Bucharest more than twenty-five years ago, that their work would result in the discovery of the authentic, bloodthirsty prototype for Bram Stoker's famous novel Dracula." This pioneering study, first published in 1972, became a collector's item, so this fully updated edition is welcome indeed. The authors' pursuit of the notion that Vlad the Impaler (1431-76) was the original Dracula--through treks both antiquarian (in old libraries and museums) and geographic (in areas of Romania that were once Transylvania and Walachia)--has the thrill of an adventure story. In Search of Dracula is also an entertaining introduction to vampire lore and to people's obsession with Dracula. It has a delightful cover by Edward Gorey and numerous illustrations, including antique woodcuts of Vlad's impaled victims and photos from the authors' trips to Romania.

From Library Journal
McNally and Florescu, the authors of several Dracula-related titles, here trace the history of Vlad Tepes, a.k.a. Vlad the Impaler, the murderous Romanian prince upon whom Bram Stoker based his infamous blood-drinking count (LJ 2/1/73). The duo gathered their information from Romanian peasant oral history and firsthand archaeological research. This updated edition also includes information on the vampire legend, an extensive filmography, and excerpts from Stoker's recently discovered diaries.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Radu Florescu is a contributor for Houghton Mifflin Company titles including: 'In Search of Dracula'

Raymond T. McNally is a contributor for the following Houghton Mifflin Company Title: In Search of Dracula

Customer Reviews

Gift
I purchased this book as a gift. The book arrived a timely manner and in good condition. I bought this book based on a program I saw on the History Channel and with knowledge that the author has family history with Dracula.

Fairly thorough, but aged
In Search of Dracula turned out to be a fairly informative source regarding Vlad Tepes, and all of the stories surrounding him. The authors certainly did their homework to the best of their abilities at the time, though I wonder if anything else has been discovered in the past 40 years or so. The chapters regarding filmography and all of the fictional books that have been written about Dracula and vampires in general, I found rather boring, though others may find them useful. I simply wasn't interested in those aspects. I found the stories regarding his actions (both as a blood-thirsty monster and as a strict, but fair ruler) to be very interesting.

Bit of a let down....
I was disappointed with this book. I have read the authors' biography of Dracula, and found little new or worthwhile presented here. Moreover, the title is deceptive. Very little of this book is devoted to the history of vampires, and too much of it deals with modern popular culture. Given that the authors are serious scholars, I was hoping for a detailed look at popular culture roughly at the time of Vlad Tepes. I highly recommend the authors' other book, "Dracula: Prince of Many Faces," but find little merit in this volume. I think this book might have more appeal to a general audience. So, if you are looking for some basic background on the "real" Dracula (Vlad Tepes), and the basics of how he fits into folklore and popular culture, then this book may very well be for you. It is well written, and draws on the authors' considerable knowledge. It just was not what I expected or hoped for.