Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-10 of 10 | | « PREV | | |
 Masterpiece of American Forteana April 17, 2006
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
The President's Vampire is one of the sort of outstanding Fortean collections that only comes out every quarter century or so: original, penetrating, and I dare say, standard- setting. For while Schneck in his introduction describes his guilty affection for the "gee-whiz"/ "Strange but true" tomes penned by such as Frank Edwards, that is not at all what this book is about. Instead, the author takes on 8 chapter length treatments of obscure American tales and curiosities, lavishing each with miles of rigorous research, commentary and comparison, leaving no stone unturned to bring together an almost flawlessly complete series of case studies, each of which is put into as much context as the sheer uncertainty and intermediateness of the world will allow.
All of this is maintained and carried throughout by a clean, insightful and witty narrative voice, and prose so smooth and engaging that each page seems to draw you in deeper, not only into the book, but into the bizarre world of Fortean phenomena itself, finally leaving you excited, entertained, occasionally frightened, and perhaps even wondering about more aspects of history and reality than you were before.
I heartily recommend this tome to everyone, from the seasoned historical researcher, the paranormal buff, or simply anyone who likes a good scary story.
A Pleasure to Read January 15, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Leagues beyond the usual tripe that passes for fortean research, this book is clearly well-researched by the author and highly engaging. I particularly appreciated the finer details provided by the author (ie. the origins of the word turnepike, a description of a drive through Essex County, NJ---and that's just one chapter) which helpfully and informatively fill out the experience of the individual stories for the reader. All will find something of interest here. I hope to read more from this author.
Fun Fortean Folio December 26, 2005
10 out of 14 found this review helpful
Robert Schneck's book is a bouncy trek through the unexplainables encountered in strange places and the often unusual backstreets of weird locations. I enjoyed, especially, the mummies and attack phantoms, as well as the sidetrips comparing the "new" with the "old."
Good job and a great read.
- Loren Coleman, Author, Mysterious America
A real page-turner December 13, 2005
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
I am not a fast reader, so I was really suprised that I finished reading President's Vampire within 12 hours! It is not that I read so fast, but PV is simply one of those books you can't put down once you start reading. The writer seems to have done a real thorough research of every story in the book. The one thing I particularly like about this author is the way he tells a simple but fascinating story without letting his ego getting in the way. There aren't many writers like him nowdays. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a thrilling reading experience. Two thumbs up!
Abundant evidence for world of strangeness December 8, 2005
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
The President's Vampire is unusual in that it succeeds in lining up many strange, seemingly unrelated happenings and making them all seem like part of some unguessed cosmic stage play. Marauding phantoms of every size and shade, a 19th Century vampire, an electric "God machine," these and more parade through Robert Schneck's colorful verbiage as vividly as images from an antique stereoscope. By the final chapter, which is guaranteed to make anyone think twice about Ouija Boards, readers will be convinced there is more this U.S. of A. than could ever be imagined in the mind of mortal man. Schneck does not force his own conclusions on these mysteries but provides something much more valuable...thorough investigations garnered from many different angles and sources. A must-read for those brave enough to stand at the corner of Reason and Enigma and see what may tiptoe down the crosswalk. - Linda S. Godfrey, author "The Beast of Bray Road, Tailing Wisconsin's Werewolf," co-author "Weird Wisconsin, Your Travel Guide to Wisconsin's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets."
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