What really inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula?
Before Dracula became the world's most famous vampire, centuries of folklore, history, cultural fears, and strange historical figures helped shape the legend.
In this episode of ParaTruth: Reborn, Justin and Erik welcome historian and author Steven J. Rolfes, author of The Bloody Road to Castle Dracula: Explore the History of Vampires & the Inspiration Behind Bram Stoker's Masterpiece.
We explore:
- 🦇 The origins of vampire folklore and ancient superstitions
- 🩸 The real historical figures associated with Dracula
- 📖 The writers and stories that influenced Bram Stoker
- 🏰 The historical mysteries surrounding the legendary Count
- 🌋 The unlikely events that helped give rise to gothic horror
- 🎬 Why Dracula continues to captivate audiences
Is Dracula simply a work of fiction, or is there something deeper hidden within centuries of history?
Join us as we explore the fascinating line between historical fact and supernatural folklore.
📚 Find Steven J. Rolfes's book:
https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738782904
🎙️ Support ParaTruth: Reborn:
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/paratruth-reborn--6273542/support
or
https://www.patreon.com/cw/paratruth
👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy paranormal history, folklore, and the mysteries that challenge what we think we know.
Question for the comments:
Which do you find more fascinating: the historical Vlad the Impaler or Bram Stoker's fictional Dracula?
Guest Bio: Steven Rolfes is an author living in Cincinnati with his wife and two children. He has written ten books ranging from history to the paranormal and folklore. He hosted a radio show where he told ghost stories and volunteered as an E.S.L. teacher for many years. He retired from the Southern Ohio Regional Transit Authority, and in his free time, he plays guitar and travels.
