
A History of Horror, Fear, and the Uncanny
DK(Author)
DK (Publisher)
Published on 2. April 2026
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-0-241-77744-2 (ISBN)
Description
Take a step - if you dare - into the shadows and the story of our primal fascination with fear, terror, and the macabre.
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.
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 Malleus Maleficarum.
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 Get Out.
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.
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.
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 Malleus Maleficarum.
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 Get Out.
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.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Dorling Kindersley Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 260 mm
Width: 220 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
1390 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-77744-2 (9780241777442)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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Other editions
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E-Book
04/2026
Dorling Kindersley Ltd
€11.99
Available for download