A Treatise on Vampirology

Everyone knows Abraham Van Helsing – the renowned vampire hunter, the immortal hero of Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula." However, few are aware that Van Helsing not only existed in flesh but also wrote books. His last work – as well as the main undertaking of his life – is "A Treatise on Vampirology," composed at the very beginning of the 20th century. In it, the author poses important questions: do vampires exist in reality? how long has humanity been familiar with bloodsuckers? what shapes do they take to seduce and then turn people? what can be opposed to them? what weapons to fight vampires? – and provides his answers. This unique study of the history and characteristics of vampires was conducted by the famous vanquisher of Dracula and… possibly a vampire too! French writer Édouard Braze accidentally discovered this amazing rarity among Amsterdam's antiquarians, edited and processed the text, and re-released it, enriching the edition with excerpts from other famous treatises dedicated to vampires, and literary works on the same subject. It resulted in a unique and precious collection that included writings from such authorities (in addition to Van Helsing) as Dom Calmet, Collin de Plancy, Charles Nodier, John Polidori, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Edgar Poe, Charles Baudelaire, and others.