This volume investigates the mechanisms, transmission, and cultural significance of contemporary legends within modern society. Authors Gillian Bennett and Paul F. Smith, both established scholars in the field of folklore studies, compile a rigorous selection of essays that examine how urban legends function as social commentary. By analyzing the intersection of oral tradition and mass media, the text provides a framework for understanding why certain narratives persist and evolve in the collective consciousness.

Scholars and students of folklore frequently cite this collection as a foundational resource for understanding the persistence of modern myths. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a standard reference for those studying the intersection of sociology and oral history.