The Dead Travel Fast is about vampires, death, chickens, fear, things that smell bad, the love of a good woman, and germs… but mostly it's ...
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reviews
Jul 10, 2010
Laura
rated it: 
Covering much the same ground as the previous book I read on the subject, Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend, but in a much more succinct and personal (read: snarky) manner, The Dead Travel Fast is an entertaining romp through the author's explorations of the vampire. Part scholarly essay on the origins of the vampire--from the history of vampires in folklore and fiction to the evolution of the creature from a thing to be feared in the dead of night to a thing to b
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Feb 27, 2008
Lani
rated it:
Saw the author give a reading and couldn't pass the book up!!! The book is (very) light gonzo journalism, and the author throws himself into the study of vampires. If you get a chance to see him give a reading, I'd recommend it. He's a funny guy, and his style is just endearing.
Tons of silly trivia, funny anecdotes, and actually interesting information. I was really captivated by the universal vampire myth, and fascinated by the Eastern European obsession that is so culturally intren More...
Tons of silly trivia, funny anecdotes, and actually interesting information. I was really captivated by the universal vampire myth, and fascinated by the Eastern European obsession that is so culturally intren More...
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Nov 13, 2007
Eric
rated it: 
I loved all 71,206 words. Then again, I wrote all 71,206 words.
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Mar 15, 2008
Rachel
rated it: 
oh, i don't know.
as a throw-yourself-into-vampire-culture-memoir, i really enjoyed it. the author is hilarious.
however, i didn't buy the book for a memoir. i was hoping to engage my strange love for vampires and increase my useless knowledge of said interest. on that level, i was a bit disappointed. out of the 256 pages--i'd say 200 of them were devoted to the history of bram stoker and bela lugosi. i guess i was hoping to learn more about the variations of vampires in More...
as a throw-yourself-into-vampire-culture-memoir, i really enjoyed it. the author is hilarious.
however, i didn't buy the book for a memoir. i was hoping to engage my strange love for vampires and increase my useless knowledge of said interest. on that level, i was a bit disappointed. out of the 256 pages--i'd say 200 of them were devoted to the history of bram stoker and bela lugosi. i guess i was hoping to learn more about the variations of vampires in More...
Nov 18, 2007
Carrie
rated it:
Full disclosure here: I am friends with the author of this book, and, as I really have absolutely no interest in vampires, I can't say I would have read it but for that. I also have to admit to a little trepidation in reading it in this age of social networking — by putting it in my currently-reading shelf, I'd announced to the world (primarily everyone on my friends list) that I was reading it, and what happened if I didn't like it?
Thank goodness I really enjoyed it. Yes, it's a boo More...
Thank goodness I really enjoyed it. Yes, it's a boo More...
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Nov 10, 2007
Jackie "the Librarian"
rated it:
A humorous, slightly desperate exploration of vampires, from their popularity in Halloween haunted houses to Sesame Street's The Count. Includes some background info on the book Dracula and its supposed inspiration, Vlad Tepes.
I think the author got pretty sick of all things vampire before he was finished writing - and his disdain for fans of the "Dark Shadows" soap opera wasn't pretty. Don't look for any in depth analysis here, just one man's journey exploring vampires in pop More...
I think the author got pretty sick of all things vampire before he was finished writing - and his disdain for fans of the "Dark Shadows" soap opera wasn't pretty. Don't look for any in depth analysis here, just one man's journey exploring vampires in pop More...
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Apr 04, 2011
Rocky
rated it:
A book about vampires and the lengths people will go to to indulge their fascination with them. A good peek into various strains of vampire subculture.
African American vampires from northern Virginia? I must have hung out and shared poetry with some of these folks at some point. Truly. I didn't recognize any names though.
Usually when I am reading a book that describes Aleister Crowley as a "Satanist", I stop reading because the author's depth appears to be More...
African American vampires from northern Virginia? I must have hung out and shared poetry with some of these folks at some point. Truly. I didn't recognize any names though.
Usually when I am reading a book that describes Aleister Crowley as a "Satanist", I stop reading because the author's depth appears to be More...
Mar 25, 2011
Teresa
rated it:
In his “Ridiculously Unnecessary Author’s Note,” Eric Nuzum makes sure the reader understands that although the events are real, some scenes are composite scenes; however, these composites do not change the basic facts. He also changes the names of real people and alters a few facts about these people so they won’t be embarrassed. Nuzum does make it perfectly clear that:
This is not a James Frey thing, I do not claim to have spent time in jail, saved drowning kittens, prevented a revo More...
This is not a James Frey thing, I do not claim to have spent time in jail, saved drowning kittens, prevented a revo More...
May 07, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
A great read for anyone who's ever loved tales of vampires and likes to bore their friends with little bits of pop culture minutia (like the fact that Bela Lugosi had to phonetically sound out his lines in the stage production of Dracula because he hadn't learned English yet, to name just one). His research often results in moments of hilarity, but he covers a lot of ground in this book, including the history of our fear of vampires as well as our captivation with the subject.
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Aug 27, 2008
Chad
rated it: 
Avoid this. I thought it would be an interesting history lesson on the origins of vampire stories and how they have been adapted to modern society, instead it is just another ego-fest for some thirty something hipster who needed a subject so that he could write about his (not very interesting) adventures.
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May 02, 2009
Angela
rated it: 
What could have been an interesting look at what draws people to the vampire mythos ended up being filled with thinly-veiled contempt for anyone who finds vampires interesting. Apparently an obsession with vampires is only acceptable if you're intent on ridiculing others' obsessions. Nuzum declares that followers of "Dark Shadows" are overweight, disabled losers but fans of "Buffy" (which ends up including him) are all right. People who play "Vampire: the Masquerade"
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Sep 25, 2007
Jen
rated it:
I never really thought about vampires as Eric does. Then again, who would? I especially like where he lies in a coffin to see what it's like. Great read, especially in the fall. Boo!
I interviewed the author for Washingtonian.
I interviewed the author for Washingtonian.
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Oct 17, 2007
Tim
rated it:
I found this book a very fun book about vampires. The author meets some interesting people in his quest to understnad why society is so fascinated with vampires. I especially enjoyed the trivia.
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Nov 23, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I would have assumed that when authors select a topic on which to write, they would attempt to pick one that interests them or for which they have some affection. The authors thinly veiled contempt and mockery of all that he experienced permeated the book and left a bad taste in my mouth. Because of his mockery, I felt he did not deal with the more interesting questions on the attraction of vampires for a large portion of the population, instead brushing the topic off as the territory of nerds a
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Mar 29, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
21 books for 2010
We begin with our author and narrator making light on the fact that you can't go one day without finding a vampire reference in your face. What follows is a romp through pop culture and vampires, exploring what makes us humans so interested in the undead. It's a well-written, non-fiction book that is both hilarious and creepy, shallow and introspective at once. (And decidedly, not for children). It has information for vampire movie buffs,vampire literature buffs ( More...
We begin with our author and narrator making light on the fact that you can't go one day without finding a vampire reference in your face. What follows is a romp through pop culture and vampires, exploring what makes us humans so interested in the undead. It's a well-written, non-fiction book that is both hilarious and creepy, shallow and introspective at once. (And decidedly, not for children). It has information for vampire movie buffs,vampire literature buffs ( More...
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Mar 23, 2009
Coffeeboss
rated it:
Nuzum takes upon himself the personal challenge of studying vampires, mainly pop-culture vampires, from movies (he tries to watch EVERY vampire movie... there's a lot of them), to TV (Dark Shadows to Buffy), to "lifestylers" (going to social groups where modern "vampires" mingle), to taking a Dracula tour of Transylvania with Butch Patrick from The Munsters along for the ride. It is definitely an interesting topic, but the weird thing is that Nuzum seems to tackle the whole t
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Jul 21, 2009
Loren
rated it:
I've read a lot of real world vampire exposé books and this one was very enjoyable. It falls short of 5 stars because while Nuzum did travel to Highgate Cemetery, he rushed through his summary of the Highgate Vampire incident. Then again, having had a run-in with one of the "vampire hunters" myself, I can understand his hesitation to engage. Still, point off for lack of courage. I bought the book because it included Highgate.
My favorite part of the book was his recap of More...
My favorite part of the book was his recap of More...
Jun 19, 2009
Tessa
rated it:
Given my own obsession with ridiculous vampire romance novels, I was drawn to the tongue-in-cheek exploration of vampire culture promised by the book jacket and I was not disappointed.
It's fitting that there is a Chuck Klosterman endorsement for the book, because it reads very much like Kloserman's own work. Despite the ridiculous situations and people he encounters, Nuzum's narrative simply goes along for the ride. Is it possible for someone to be pleasantly patronizing?
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It's fitting that there is a Chuck Klosterman endorsement for the book, because it reads very much like Kloserman's own work. Despite the ridiculous situations and people he encounters, Nuzum's narrative simply goes along for the ride. Is it possible for someone to be pleasantly patronizing?
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Dec 12, 2009
Tess
rated it:
It seems like this is a book about vampires by someone who hates all things vampire. The author goes about his "research" with such slathered condescension in his tone that I can't imagine how he got even a couple of vampire enthusiasts to talk to him. If you can get past the cynicism and the "oh I'm so above all this cringe-worthy gothness" attitude, you'll still feel like you're reading a teenagers' diary because of the disjointed, disorganized manner of the writing itsel
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Sep 22, 2008
Mark
rated it:
'Denn die Todten reiten schnell' Leonora: 1796 (Revolution and Romanticism, 1789-1834)
I hope it doesn't sound too pretentious to say that, when it comes to vampires, Eric Nuzum knows his stuff. (Because the obvious, conceited corollary to that implies that I, also, know my stuff. I know, right? Arrogant!) He doesn't really cover the vampiric legends of non-euro cultures (which I guess I really shouldn't have expected from him, but still, waaah!), but the stuff he shares about our mod More...
I hope it doesn't sound too pretentious to say that, when it comes to vampires, Eric Nuzum knows his stuff. (Because the obvious, conceited corollary to that implies that I, also, know my stuff. I know, right? Arrogant!) He doesn't really cover the vampiric legends of non-euro cultures (which I guess I really shouldn't have expected from him, but still, waaah!), but the stuff he shares about our mod More...
Oct 14, 2008
Allison
rated it:
I'd heard about this book when it first came out and was really hyped up to read it. Unfortunately, I found it to be kind of disappointing. The author seems interested in vampires, but not particularly fond of them, so his accounts of meeting "vampires", watching vampire film and TV, etc. all come with dose of judgment. The book would have been a lot more fun if he seemed to have more fun.
I am a vampire lover, and though my love is not as zealous as that of many of thi More...
I am a vampire lover, and though my love is not as zealous as that of many of thi More...
Jan 07, 2009
Chelsey
rated it:
Once again, a book that made me snigger on the train ride to and from work. I need to stop reading funny stuff on the train.
I liked the book a lot, though I did not feel it was very in depth at all-- my favorite bits (of course) were when the author went tracking down Vlad Dracula and went to England to research Bram Stoker. It was clear the guy did his research, but the book is short and written more for humor than as an in-depth study; the philosophical bent seems more tacked-on th More...
I liked the book a lot, though I did not feel it was very in depth at all-- my favorite bits (of course) were when the author went tracking down Vlad Dracula and went to England to research Bram Stoker. It was clear the guy did his research, but the book is short and written more for humor than as an in-depth study; the philosophical bent seems more tacked-on th More...
Feb 16, 2009
James
rated it:
disclaimer: if i could, i'd give this book a 3 1/2. it's not quite good enough for a 4, but not quite bad enough for a 3, but i'm game enough to give it the benefit of the doubt.
i think my biggest issue with the book was that it wasn't quite as informative as i was looking for. i learned some new things, some interesting facts and tidbits, and some about the vampire's place in popular culture, but i was looking for more.
there was also a bit too much of the author in the More...
i think my biggest issue with the book was that it wasn't quite as informative as i was looking for. i learned some new things, some interesting facts and tidbits, and some about the vampire's place in popular culture, but i was looking for more.
there was also a bit too much of the author in the More...
Nov 26, 2007
Pamster
rated it:
Liked: Lots of good Bram Stoker info, like I didn't know he was in love with Walt Whitman. I also enjoyed the interview with the head vampire actor in the Las Vegas topless review Bite - "For some people, they take the Hollywood version. For me, I think our souls are eternal and rather than drink blood, I feed off energy. Some do it because it's cool. For me, the energy of the vampire is the eternal soul and connecting with everyone. I've always been interested in the darker aspects of thin
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Dec 24, 2010
Nikolina
rated it:
I would not have chosen this book if it had not been suggested reading for Rabbit Room. It was interesting and I did learn a lot about the beliefs about vampires. Rabbit Room is a ministry of our Sunday School class "Inklings" (after the name of the discussion group CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien participated in)Rabbit Room meets once a month at a coffee shop to discuss secular topics as a means to bring the truth of the gospel to the unbeliever.
Nov 04, 2008
Amy
rated it:
Eric Nuzum's The Dead Travel Fast: Stalking Vampires from Nosferatu to Count Chocula is a funny, irreverent, and incredibly thorough look at vampire mythology through history and pop culture. Nuzum attempts to understand the draw that vampires have for most people; to this end, he attempts to drink blood (his own), travels in Dracula's footsteps, watches the entire run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and is unfortunately spoiled by co-workers who are excited about his watching), attempts to view ov
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Nov 14, 2009
Kristin
rated it:
Possibly the most engaging nonfiction I've read in recent memory. Despite my failure to engage in the vampire cult fanaticism of recent past (hated the Twilight series and am still struggling with the True Blood series-apologies to any fans), I found it to be a stimulating and quick read. Highly recommend this book.
Jan 04, 2009
Tessa
rated it:
I liked this a lot more than Piercing the Darkness because of the following:
1. It said basically the same things but in a coherent manner
2. It was funnier (albeit had too many gratuitous uses of bad language in pursuit of humor that then came off as just sort of mean)
3. and more cynical
4. It had better coverage of history and culture.
Oh, and I believed that the quotes were actually quotes.
but that's just me.
1. It said basically the same things but in a coherent manner
2. It was funnier (albeit had too many gratuitous uses of bad language in pursuit of humor that then came off as just sort of mean)
3. and more cynical
4. It had better coverage of history and culture.
Oh, and I believed that the quotes were actually quotes.
but that's just me.
Jul 22, 2011
Jesie
rated it:
The funniest book I ever read about vampires. If you have followed vampire fiction & vampire pop culture, this book is a hilarious read. The author takes us through everything from trying to drink his own blood, to trying to meet "vampires" in person, to going to Transylvania.
