A review by sarrie
The Penguin Book of the Undead: Fifteen Hundred Years of Supernatural Encounters by Scott G. Bruce

3.0

As I noted on a status this was much more a tracking of the supernatural and undead events following Christian faith and it's spread and affect on the cultures it encountered. I was hoping more of a wider view, with insights into some cultures and myths I hadn't read too much about. I did get some of that in some of the more off the wall Catholic tales and essays but overall it was almost exclusively centered around the early Christian church and it's writings. It also, of course, ended with Shakespeare which was also kind of disappointing.
It might be a good read if you're interested in that intersection of the undead and the church though. There were a couple stories I'd never heard and one or two legends I did enjoy, so it gets credit for that. I think if I'd been looking specifically for that intersection I would have enjoyed this more. So be aware going in.