Spine Tingling Urban Legends

Recounts several popular urban legends, from Bigfoot to Bloody Mary.

An anthology of the most chilling urban legends of all time collected by the maestro himself. Urban legends are those strange, but seemingly credible tales that always happen to a friend of a friend. For the first time, Professor Jan Harold Brunvand, "who has achieved almost legendary status" (Choice), has collected the creepiest, most terrifying urban legends, many that have spooked you since your childhood and others that you believe really did occur—even if it was one town over to some poor hapless coed who left a party early only to be followed by a man who just got loose from a mental hospital. From the classic hook-man story told around many a campfire to "Saved by a Cell Phone," these spine-tingling urban legends will give you goose bumps, even when you know they can't be true. Still, you'll continue to check the backseat of your car at gas stations and look under your bed at night before praying for sleep.

Modern ghost stories are created from truly creepy myths and rumors. Read this book to discover some urban legends that will make your skin crawl.

"Did a spider actually lay its eggs in a woman's face? Do alligators really live in the New York City sewers? Readers will be captivated by mysterious urban legends while also learning the facts about each claim. Which rumors hold a hint of truth and which claims are totally bonkers? Exciting, easy-to-read text and compelling images will keep struggling and reluctant readers alike flipping the pages to find out"--

Presents the basic stories behind urban myths and legends from around the world, along with examples of each, and groups them by theme, which includes city life, horror, accidents, disease, animals, sex, merchandise, murder, and the supernatural.

Urban Legends is a remarkably complete collection of the modern myths that make the rounds in offices, college dorms, and every other place where people tell the stories that spring from our deepest fears and fascinations. Every culture has its folktales including ours. Except, instead of involving gods and goddesses or princes and princesses, ours involve "some guy my sister's best friend knows" or "someone who woke up in a motel room." They happened, supposedly, to real people, usually recently, in a particular place. And they touch the most sensitive nerves of our psyches with ironic twists, gross-out shocks, and moral lessons learned the hard way. From the classic tale "The Mexican Pet" in which the "dog" turns out to be no Chihuahua to the more unappetizing story of condoms as fast-food burger garnish, from surgically skilled kidney thieves to sexual experiments that end in the emergency room, Urban Legends relates more 300 of the most enticing, macabre, and unforgettable tales. Expertly told, they are arranged in such chapters as "Crazy Little Thang Called Sex," "Oh, Scare Me," "Campus Capers," "Corporate Convolutions," and "So Much For Comfort Food." Fascinating, chilling, and occasionally repulsive, Urban Legends has all your favorites and hundreds more.

Venture into the heart of America's folklore with this spine-tingling compilation of urban legends that span all 50 states. From the shadowy hollows of West Virginia where the Mothman lurks to the mysterious stairs in Washington's Maltby Cemetery that reputedly lead to the netherworld, "Urban Legends: Local Legends from Every State" offers a haunting journey through the United States. Each state unfolds its own eerie tale, steeped in local history and whispered among generations. Readers will uncover the sinister story behind Alabama's Dead Children's Playground, tremble at the tale of Texas's malevolent Black-Eyed Children, and be captivated by the legend of Vermont's Pigman of Northfield. More than just a collection of stories, this book delves into the cultural fabric and societal influences that birth and sustain these tales. Author [Author Name] expertly weaves historical fact with chilling anecdote, bringing to life the specters and spirits that inhabit our nation's lore. Accompanied by eerie illustrations and firsthand accounts, each legend comes alive, reminding us all that every town has its secrets and every state its tales of the unexplained. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a lover of Americana, or someone who enjoys the age-old tradition of storytelling, "Urban Legends: Local Legends from Every State" is a must-read. Prepare to sleep with the lights on!