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Guide Picks - Introductory Books on Urban Legends
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Of the many available books on those contemporary tall tales known as urban legends, not all are suitable for introducing new readers to the topic. The selections below have been chosen for their broad range, attention to basics and entertainment value. Each would make an ideal gift for the interested neophyte.
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1) Too Good to Be True: The Colossal Book of Urban Legends
by Jan Harold Brunvand, 1999. A huge collection of contemporary legends, some of which the reader will find familiar, others not. Brunvand updates his coverage of older tales with new variants sighted in the media and, of course, on the Internet.
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2) The Big Book of Urban Legends
by Jan Harold Brunvand (et al), 1994. Here are 200 classic urban legends rendered in comic book format. This is a vivid introduction to the subject, not to mention a satisfying means of settling (or starting) factual disputes.
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3) The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings
by Jan Harold Brunvand, 1989. The earliest in Brunvand's urban legends series and the best available introduction to the field. It's a bit dry compared to later installments, but offers essential definitions, criteria and historical information for the study and appreciation of urban legends.
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4) Urban Legends: The As-Complete-As-One-Could-Be Guide to Modern Myths
by N.E. Genge, 2000. A marvelous introductory survey of urban legends, their various types and their meanings. You'll find all of the most popular legends of the past 20 years retold and discussed here along with fascinating insights into their cultural significance.
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5) The Complete Idiot's Guide to Urban Legends
by Brandon Toropov, 2001. This book may be ideal for neophytes, but that doesn't mean it's truly written for idiots. Mr. Toropov defines the topic concisely, offers a plethora of examples drawn from oral folklore and the Internet, and follows through with intelligent discussions/debunkings of each. He whets your appetite for more.
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