The introduction to Werewolf Stories: Shape-Shifters, Lycanthropes, and Man-Beasts had me rolling my eyes because co-author Nick Redfern seemed to be presenting himself as one of those kooks who believe people actually might be able to morph into hairy beasts under the full moon or whatever. His later assertion that people in the fifties were "most assuredly" "encountering aliens" (or "Space Brothers," according to his preferred terminology) seemed to confirm that.
But--and hear me out--the possibility that its writers believe in all the hooey described in Werewolf Stories is actually an asset. Who wants to read some dry alphabetized encyclopedia of all the folklore, film, fiction, and "anecdotes" related to werewolves and the like? By essentially accepting the idea that lycanthropy and various other forms of shape-shifting (the book also discusses were-owls were-bears, were-asses, were-balls, and so on) could be real, Redfern and his late partner, Brad Steiger (as well as occasional contributing writers, such as Alyne Pustanio, whose unabashed use of "Amos and Andy"-style patois is likely to give you the vapors), are free to spin some yarns. That makes the stories in Werewolf Stories read like stories instead of encyclopedia articles, which makes much of it good fun to read for spooky-tale aficionados, whether you're the kind who believes such things could be true or the kind who lives with your paws on planet Earth.
