I don't see Vlad as a hero at all. He was in fact a cheifian in that area of Wallcovia 3 times. And all 3 times he was overthrown by his own people.

I can say I think that the terrian of that area had more to do with keeping the Turks at bay than anything he did (for a while), and I suspect much of the stories are exaggerations.

As to if he was normal or not. At that time, especally in that part of the world, it was incredibly violent. I suspect if you were in the warrior class you would become very use to the sight of dead bodies very quickly, so that impaled individuals were no worse (maybe) that sides of beef on hooks.