Discover the fascinating world of these bloodthirsty creatures. No other supernatural creature is as shocking or as frightening as the vampire. Neither living nor dead, it creeps out of its grave to suck the blood of the living while they sleep. About 300 years ago, vampires came out of the shadows into the celebrity limelight, and tales of vampires have filled newspapers, magazines, books, and the stage ever since."Vampires" explores both familiar and little-known territory about the world's creepiest monster, covering true stories and surprising facts about different types of vampires. It looks at superstition and folklore surrounding these bloodthirsty creatures and at their portrayals in the entertainment industry. Some legendary inspirations for vampire mythology, such as Vlade Tepes and Elizabeth Bathory, are also explored.Chapters include: The Making of a Vampire; Hunting Down the Vampire; The V-Files: Stranger Than Strange True Vampire Stories; From Count Dracula to Vampire Lestat and Beyond; and, The Vampire Underground.