Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

[War Horse]

Ok, I'm not sure if a thread with this title will even be read by anyone. Just in case, I was about to start a drive from Columbia, SC to Hagerstown, MD. I stopped at a store (I can't even remember where) to buy a few items for the trip. While in line I noticed a couple of audio books on a shelf behind the counter. One of these books had a picture of old Ab on the box. I thought to myself how perfect, that will make the drive a little easier to take. I asked the clerk to hand it to me. That's when I saw it was "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame Smith and not a biography. I handed it back to the clerk not wanting it. As I was about to leave I thought what the heck I still have 8 hours on the road how bad can it be.

I have to admit, I found it extreamly entertaining. There is some historical fact in the book but the author did a very nice job tying all of the historical events to this fictional book. If you venture away from hardcore history once in awhile this book was very entertaining.

 

[cash]

Ok, I'm not sure if a thread with this title will even be read by anyone. Just in case, I was about to start a drive from Columbia, SC to Hagerstown, MD. I stopped at a store (I can't even remember where) to buy a few items for the trip. While in line I noticed a couple of audio books on a shelf behind the counter. One of these books had a picture of old Ab on the box. I thought to myself how perfect, that will make the drive a little easier to take. I asked the clerk to hand it to me. That's when I saw it was "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame Smith and not a biography. I handed it back to the clerk not wanting it. As I was about to leave I thought what the heck I still have 8 hours on the road how bad can it be.

I have to admit, I found it extreamly entertaining. There is some historical fact in the book but the author did a very nice job tying all of the historical events to this fictional book. If you venture away from hardcore history once in awhile this book was very entertaining.

I read the book back in 2008 or so and I really liked it. I thought the author very cleverly weaved the story of Lincoln's life into the vampire story. I also enjoyed the movie--as entertainment.

 

[cash]

Let's think of the vampires as a metaphor for slavery sucking the life blood out of a people. Where does this metaphor come from? In the December 29, 1832 issue of The Liberator, William Lloyd Garrison wrote, "People of New-England, and of the free States! is it true that slavery is no concern of yours? Have you no right even to protest against it, or to seek its removal? Are you not the main pillars of its support? How long do you mean to be answerable to God and the world, for spilling the blood of the poor innocents? Be not afraid to look the monster Slavery boldly in the face. He is your implacable foe—the vampyre who is sucking your life-blood—the ravager of a large portion of your country, and the enemy of God and man. Never hope to be a united, or happy, or prosperous people while he exists. He has an appetite like the grave—a spirit as malignant as that of the bottomless pit—and an influence as dreadful a the corruption of death. Awake to your danger! the struggle is a mighty one—it cannot be avoided—it should not be, if it could." When we look at it that way, the book, and the movie made from it, becomes less pure escapist fantasy and more metaphoric commentary on the institution of slavery, on its supporters, and on what it takes to defeat it.

 

[War Horse]

I read the book back in 2008 or so and I really liked it. I thought the author very cleverly weaved the story of Lincoln's life into the vampire story. I also enjoyed the movie--as entertainment.

Excellent, I am now looking for the movie. Glad I'm not the only one.

 

[War Horse]

Let's think of the vampires as a metaphor for slavery sucking the life blood out of a people. Where does this metaphor come from? In the December 29, 1832 issue of The Liberator, William Lloyd Garrison wrote, "People of New-England, and of the free States! is it true that slavery is no concern of yours? Have you no right even to protest against it, or to seek its removal? Are you not the main pillars of its support? How long do you mean to be answerable to God and the world, for spilling the blood of the poor innocents? Be not afraid to look the monster Slavery boldly in the face. He is your implacable foe—the vampyre who is sucking your life-blood—the ravager of a large portion of your country, and the enemy of God and man. Never hope to be a united, or happy, or prosperous people while he exists. He has an appetite like the grave—a spirit as malignant as that of the bottomless pit—and an influence as dreadful a the corruption of death. Awake to your danger! the struggle is a mighty one—it cannot be avoided—it should not be, if it could." When we look at it that way, the book, and the movie made from it, becomes less pure escapist fantasy and more metaphoric commentary on the institution of slavery, on its supporters, and on what it takes to defeat it.

That makes perfect sense. Thank you.

 

[cash]

Excellent, I am now looking for the movie. Glad I'm not the only one.

Just remember it's entertainment, not history.

 

[War Horse]

Just remember it's entertainment, not history.

Lol, Ok no quotes I promise.

 

[cash]

Here's one of the trailers for the movie.

 

[JohnCWF]

The book's sequel, The Last American Vampire, comes out January 13th, and features Nikola Tesla, Jack the Ripper, Rasputin, Mark Twain, some sexy samurai girl and an alternate history of 20th century America.

 

[Mary763]

I thought the book was very entertaining also. Personally, I didn't really like the movie but that was more due to the creepiness of the vampires.

 

[Barrycdog]

I found an article where Nathan Bedford Forrest went after someone with an axe who was harassing his wife.

 

[Northern Light]

I thought the book was very entertaining also. Personally, I didn't really like the movie but that was more due to the creepiness of the vampires.

I loved the book, laughed all the way through it. Loved the pictures, which had been photo shopped. The classic one of Lincoln and McClellan at Antietam with the axe added was hilarious. No it is not exactly history, but it is entertainment with a capital E!
The movie was funny and the Vamps were scary in that they popped up unexpectedly and made me jump, but still amusing.

 

[Northern Light]

Excellent, I am now looking for the movie. Glad I'm not the only one.

It is on Netflix or was.

 

[jay gale]

The movie was great, a real surprise........good action and a pretty decent story as well

 

[BrrrBRRRR]

Loved the book though I haven't seen the movie. If any of you are Jane Austin fans as well, there is also a Pride and Prejudice with zombies book by the same author that is just as entertaining.

 

[unionblue]

Ok, I'm not sure if a thread with this title will even be read by anyone. Just in case, I was about to start a drive from Columbia, SC to Hagerstown, MD. I stopped at a store (I can't even remember where) to buy a few items for the trip. While in line I noticed a couple of audio books on a shelf behind the counter. One of these books had a picture of old Ab on the box. I thought to myself how perfect, that will make the drive a little easier to take. I asked the clerk to hand it to me. That's when I saw it was "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame Smith and not a biography. I handed it back to the clerk not wanting it. As I was about to leave I thought what the heck I still have 8 hours on the road how bad can it be.

I have to admit, I found it extreamly entertaining. There is some historical fact in the book but the author did a very nice job tying all of the historical events to this fictional book. If you venture away from hardcore history once in awhile this book was very entertaining.

War Horse,

I enjoyed the book, but the movie, not so much.

It was well worth the read.

Have you ever heard of the book, The President's Vampire, by Christopher Farnsworth?

Unionblue

 

[FarawayFriend]

Very interesting! I had heard of this book and movie but thought it was one of these teenage vampire novels I don't care much about. But as you all like it, I probably will have a look also.

 

[unionblue]

Very interesting! I had heard of this book and movie but thought it was one of these teenage vampire novels I don't care much about. But as you all like it, I probably will have a look also.

FarawayFriend,

Check the book out from your local library. I think you will really enjoy it.

The movie seemed, to me at least, a bit heavy on the 'special effects' sides and called for a lot of suspended belief to get through.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[FarawayFriend]

FarawayFriend,

Check the book out from your local library. I think you will really enjoy it.

The movie seemed, to me at least, a bit heavy on the 'special effects' sides and called for a lot of suspended belief to get through.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Thank you, unionblue. Mostly I prefer books to films, anyway. I like the movies inside my head, lol!

 

[matthew mckeon]

Thought it was a bit silly, myself.