Although the word "vampire" was not introduced until the eighteenth century, variations of this hemo-craving creature have existed since long before the Christian era. Almost every civilization had a demon or spirit-often a god or goddess-whose bloodlust complicated things for the general populace. But sometimes it's not all about the blood.

Plumbs the depths of vampire lore that lurks far beyond the borders of Transylvania; Explores the many portrayals of vampires in fiction and film, from Dracula to the Cullen family; Identifies real-bloodsuckers, human and nonhuman alike