Great read, doubles as a horror writer's resource

books:


	• The Encyclopedia of Superstitions E. Radford, M.A. Radford MetroBooks, 2002 - 384 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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Did you know...

...that Shetland fishermen considered "persons deformed at birth" good luck because they were considered God's poor and that if they had good luck they gave the person some of their catch?

...Rubys prevent all evil?

...that if a burgular has coal in his pocket he'll be able to evade capture?

I have the version of this book that was published in 1949--found it in the giveaway pile at my local library. This book is fantastic for dipping, fun or for ghost stories. We had an electrical outing, and I read snippets by candlelight to my family. My little brother (who was 15) was terrified and made me stop.

At this price you can't say no to this book. It's fun and pretty scary at the same time.
Highly recommended.

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Great read, doubles as a horror writer's resource

This is a fun, rather small book (in respect to superstitions in general, this could have been a mammoth of a book) that includes various bizarre and funny superstitions both old and current. Some are given instances when the superstition held true. For example, apparently it is unlucky for a three cigarettes to be lit off the same match. Three men, after doing this, one remarked "One of us will die by the end of the year" in jest, and then died three days later of a monkey bite (that last line made me howl...a monkey bite, of all things). Also, if you're a horror writer there's plenty of material here to help you base a story around. Four stars only because I wish it were longer, but it's a bargain and if you're into this kind of thing highly recommended. Very easy and fun to read.

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Kind of fun and kind of creepy too.

This is a fascinating little book, it works like a dictionary, find the word you hope to look up and it will tell you of the the historical powers, magic and superstitions behind that object. All the ideas are reseached from ancient folklores around the globe but Europe in the main.
You wiil discover the luck, wisdom and power of objects as diverse as besoms (brooms), juniper berries or socks and stockings. Fun indeed, but the historical angle is quite spine shuddering at times.

"For the expert investigation of the human will to believe, we recommend The Encyclopedia of Superstitions."--The New York Times

Do you avoid walking under a ladder, or touch wood to ward off misfortune? It may not be logical, but underlying these irrational beliefs are centuries of long-forgotten ways of thought--and many affect us still. This classic and thoroughly delightful reference explores the origins of hundreds of superstitions, and many of the entries read like short stories in themselves. Here are the charms once in daily use in dairy and kitchen; spells used by witches--and against them; fairy lore and legend; folk remedies and customs of birth, marriage, and death. You'll discover why it's unlucky in some countries for a person to reveal his age; why ships have long been fitted with figureheads; why lettuce was believed to possess magical properties; and why a child born after its father's death was said to have healing powers. This is truly a collection to muse over...but expect an occasional chill down the spine.

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