Eaters of the Dead

Every culture has monsters that eat us, and every culture repels in horror when we eat ourselves. From Grendel to Sawney Bean, and from the Ghuls of ancient Persia to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, our fear of being consumed is both universal and terrifying.

Kevin Wetmore explores monsters that eat the dead: ghouls, cannibals, and other beings that feast on human flesh. Moving from myth through history to contemporary popular culture, considering ancient Greek myths of feeding humans to the gods, through sky burial in Tibet and Zoroastrianism, and actual cases of cannibalism in modern societies, this book examines those that consume corpses and what they tell us about ourselves and our fears.

'Any book on corpse-eating is likely to be replete with nauseating details, and Eaters of the Dead does not disappoint.' TLS

'Reveals that those who consume corpses can teach us a great deal about human nature and our deepest human fears.' New Books Network

'Generously illustrated, this book is clearly written and suitable for nonspecialists and scholarly audiences alike. It features excellent notes, and the production is tasteful, despite the unsavory topic. Highly recommended.' Choice

'I loved discovering all the myths, beliefs and rituals from other cultures, and this book is a trove of fun facts, no doubt about it. Wetmore's pleasant conversational style is anything but dry and dusty.' Ginger Nuts of Horror