This book takes a sweeping glance at the history of merpeople as they appear in history, mythology, popular culture, philosophy, and more.
 
Subtitled, ‘a human history,’ Vaughn’s Merpeople reveals the ways in which mermaids and aquatic humans span our history and enrich our stories. The enduring popularity and presence of merpeople in culture is the driving force behind this book, shedding light on the ways in which these fantastical figures have been omnipresent in the margins of history. The scope of this book loosely covers 1000 B.C.E. to the present, focusing on perceptions of merpeople in Western culture. Mirroring the hybrid nature of merpeople, Vaughn discusses how the duality of these creatures inspires wonder and terror in equal measure, as the delightful modern images of frolicking mermaids clash with historical warnings against their brutality. The final chapter touches on the global reach of merpeople mythology, providing a jumping off point for further exploration of the subject.
 
London: Reaktion Books, 2020. Paperback, 318 pages. New.