A History of Horror Fear and the Uncanny

<p><b>Take a step – if you dare – into the shadows and the story of our primal fascination with fear, terror, and the macabre.</b><br><br>This comprehensive and creepily illustrated guide explores the dark and eerie landscapes of horror down the centuries and across the world – from prehistoric death rituals and early monster myths to modern manifestations of the subject in art, literature, and film.<br><br>Discover how horror has evolved through the ages, beginning with the ancient visions of a hellish underworld. Encounter terrifying figures like Medusa and the Babylonian demon Pazuzu. Tread carefully through the medieval world, where a fear of the unknown stoked apocalyptic terror around the Black Death and gave rise to the demonology of the <i>Malleus Maleficarum</i>.<br><br>Delve into the folklore that gave birth to iconic creatures of the night – from vampires and werewolves to the Japanese Kappa water demon and the cannibalistic Wendigo of Indigenous American lore. Witness the emergence of Gothic literature, with the terrifying and genre-defining works of authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, and learn how the 20th century saw a new wave of terror unleashed through silent films, Expressionist art, and the emergence of horror cinema – from gruesome “body horror” movies to the social commentaries of films like <i>Get Out</i>.<br><br>Whether you’re a dedicated horror aficionado or a curious newcomer, this book is the ultimate guide to the subject… Prepare yourself for a thrilling – and chilling – journey into the heart of darkness.</p>