Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Dracula

This "Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion" to the world's most famous vampire looks at all aspects of the Dracula phenomenon in often unexpected ways - in true Bedside tradition, including entries on the psychological and sociological implications of the book and the stage plays; the movies; television versions; actors, and, of course, the historical Dracula, Vlad the Impaler.Published in 1897, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was the last of the nineteenth century's three major horror stories. It followed Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", but Stoker's novel had the greater impact on our culture and our nightmares. Count Dracula has been called the king of the vampires, but, in truth, he is the king of all the monsters, and his influence can be seen everywhere today: in everything from the number-obsessed Count on Sesame Street to the vast fandom for Anne Rice's vampire chronicles.He is arguably the most recognized of characters: certainly in his Lugosi incarnation. With Stoker's novel serving as the backbone, this "Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion" to the world's most famous vampire will look at all aspects of the Dracula phenomenon in often unexpected ways - in the Bedside tradition: the book, its author, its psychological and sociological implications, the stage plays, the movies, television versions, the actors, and, of course, the historical Dracula, Vlad the Impaler. More than 150 pictures already have been collected for this companion by author and journalist Mark Dawidziak, who traces his fascination with the Count back to a viewing at age seven of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, featuring Bela Lugosi's inspired revival of his Dracula."The Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companions" are concise, witty, and often unexpected takes on the great authors and other figures who are seemingly all around us, like the air we breathe. Perfect for reading or browsing, for the general reader, for the beginning as well as the advanced student, the "Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companions" include plot summaries (no giveaways for the mystery writers!) , biographical information, puzzles, posters, film stills, maps, Web sites, international clubs and societies, and more. Stylish, lavishly illustrated, and imaginatively structured, the "Bedside Companions" currently include volumes on Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and Shakespeare.

Mark Dawidziak has been a theater, film and television critic for twenty-five years. His many books include a horror novel, Grave Secrets (1994), and such non-fiction works as The Barter Theatre Story: Love Made Visible (1982). He is based in New York.