Author: Roger Ma
Publisher: Berkley (10/2012)
For all you folks who love the “nonfiction” books about vampires, werewolves, and zombies that have appeared on the market in recent years, here’s a new one.
This author purports to have been contracted by the fictional Institute for Undead Combat Studies (IUCA) to “explore and document the efforts of the Blood Assassins, an organization renowned as much for its secrecy as for its skill in neutralizing the vampire threat.” (p. xiii) In this book, he presents his findings, beginning with a discussion of disinformation and misconceptions about vampires. Within these pages you will find all the information you could possible need to defend yourself against a horde of bloodsuckers.
The vampires in this world have their own mythos, which generally follows the traditional model:
v They have no connection with any religion, and, thus, are completely unaffected by crosses and holy water.
v They are severely allergic to silver and garlic.
v They are terminally allergic to sunlight.
v They always maintain humanoid corporeal form, are not shape shifters, and cannot turn into mist or smoke.
v They can manipulate the behaviors of lower order creatures (like small animals).
v They cannot fly or climb up sheer walls, but they are more athletically skilled than humans and can leap long distances.
v They are not sexually attracted to humans and probably do not have functioning genitalia (but this is unconfirmed).
v They procreate through their bite, but not unless the vampire makes a conscious decision to infect a particular victim. The vast majority of victims are not selected for conversion.
v They are not indestructible. They have certain vulnerabilities that allow them to be killed, and this manual spells them all out for the reader. Decapitation, dismemberment, and immolation are the safest ways to ensure a vampire’s ultimate destruction.
v Vampires aren’t all that happy about being undead. Although some humans may think that a vampire’s life it appealing, they are usually unhappy and depressed because of the loss of familial ties, unrelenting blood lust, and the lack of sunlight.
The book includes chapters on the following topics:
v Vampire anatomy
v Conditioning and preparation necessary to hunt vampires
v Weapons that are effective against vampires
v Combat strategies and techniques
v Team-based combat
Each chapter ends with a Combat Report in which the author “interviews” a vampire or a hunter. If you’re a fan of “nonfiction” supernatural guides, you may enjoy this one. The book is well illustrated, with drawings of all of the weapons that are discussed along with detailed instructions on their use. In the discussion of wooden stakes, the author even provides a guide on how to make them, including recommendations for the best types of wood. Even though the book is a tongue-in-cheek approach to vampire hunting, it's obvious that the author put a lot of effort and research into his subject.
Click HERE to watch one of Roger Ma's videos on YouTube (in connection with his book, The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Living Dead).
Here are some more titles that cover similar ground for vampires, werewolves, and zombies. Click on a title to go to the amazon.com entry for that particular book.
Ø The New Vampire’s Handbook: A Guide for the Recently Turned Creature of the Night, by Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls, Anita Serwacki, and Scott Sherman
Ø Vampires Are from Venus, Werewolves are from Mars: A Comprehensive Guide to Attracting Supernatural Love, by Vera Nazarian
Ø A Practical Guide to Vampires, by Lisa Trutkoff Trumbauer (FOR KIDS: recommended for ages 6 and up)
Ø How to Be a Werewolf: The Claws-on Guide for the Modern Lycanthrope, by Serena Valentino
ZOMBIES
Ø The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead, by Max Brooks
Ø How to Be a Zombie: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Craves Brains, by Serena Valentino
GARDEN GNOMES
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