Praise for Lost in the Dark: A World History of Horror Film
“Lost in the Dark: A World History of Horror Film takes you on a tour through the sprawling history of horror, with author Brad Weismann as your very knowledgeable guide. Expansive yet very accessible, it touches on both the highs and lows, the controversial and more, with great insights and observations, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Weismann intrigues right away by starting off not with film, but with horror that existed before film. Fear, of course, is universal and is a theme that was rampant in literature and theater long before film. The author cleverly explores the ideas behind horror itself, tracing its roots and how it struggled to make its way onto the big screen. The deep dive into the idea of horror itself paves the way for the rest of the book, giving the reader an appreciation of the ideas of darkness and how they eventually made their way onto film.” – JEFF FOUNTAIN, Horror Geek Life
“From biblical ghost stories, to the pioneering Haunted Castle, to Oscar-winning Get Out, Lost in the Dark: A World History of Horror Film is the definitive history of horror. The book dissects horror’s growth, step-by-step, from hiding behind dark curtains into the zeitgeist of respected art. People have a need for horror, a need to be scared. The art of horror is just as important culturally worldwide, as it is on an individually personal level. Love it or hate it, everyone has an opinion about horror. Brad Weismann’s book shows exactly why horror ignites that fire in us all.”—GREG KERSHAW, Horror Fuel
“Brad Weismann’s Lost in the Dark is an astonishingly expansive and accessible primer on the history of horror movies, tracing a path from its earliest origins to the most current offerings. Spanning the globe and covering more subgenres than you can count on two hands, this is an essential addition to any horror lover’s reference library. Whether you’re a seasoned genre vet or only just starting your journey, Lost in the Dark offers up an entire world’s worth of fright films waiting for you to discover.”—STACIE PONDER, writer behind the long-running horror blog Final Girl, columnist for Rue Morgue magazine, and co-host of the Gaylords of Darkness podcast
“Brad Weismann’s Lost in the Dark: A World History of Horror Film is a fine endeavor in recounting the global impact of horror films, as well as educating readers about their history. Published by University Press of Mississippi, it acts as a fine guide to the genre and functions as a worth reference text. Weismann takes readers through the genre’s beginnings in the silent era and brings readers through to modern-day achievements and installations in the genre. Along the way, Weismann also discusses expressions of horror in other art forms. He also places horror in the greater context of film history, examining how it was influenced by international achievements and the dismantling of American censorship. By far one of the most popular genres, Weismenn’s text is an exemplary depiction of the importance and history of the genre and is a must-read for any horror fan.” – Hometowns to Hollywood
” . . . successfully navigates the myriad of films on a global scale in an easy-to-follow narrative.” – Robert Gold, Horror DNA
Brad Weismann 