The Encyclopedia of Superstitions: Radford, M. A., Hole, Christina: 9781586636173: Amazon.com: Books (original) (raw)
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Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2014
This was the first "not brand new" book I had ever ordered. I was not disappointed. The description that the sellers gave was quite honest. It's a fascinating book. Just open to any page and what you always assumed was just a passing fancy has a concrete background and well, doesn't sound so very superstitious anymore! It's great fun!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2019
This book gives great info on superstitions comparing to different parts of the world. Love the different stories the author adds. Great read.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2011
This book was originally published in 1949 and was revised and enlarged in 1961. There have been a great many reprints down the years, the most recent being this one.
It is arranged in encyclopedia fashion, with the object of the superstition being listed in alphabetical order. An example taken at random being Finger Nails, First Foot, Fish, Fleas, Flowers. You get the picture. It is quite comprehensive and it must have taken a huge amount of research to put together this eclectic collection of superstitions, some of which are very obscure and unlikely. eg who would know that cooking and eating a fox was thought to make the diner bold in many parts of Europe.
I have no idea how complete this collection of superstitions is, but it is certainly extensive. It just goes to show what a superstitious lot our ancestors were and is quite an eye opener in todays world. So well worth getting for a fascinating insight into how our forbears lived tiptoeing around their beliefs.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2009
This is an excellent, and a classic book on the topic of superstitions. Also, this was probably the first ever "encyclopedia"/"dictionary" of superstitions written -- before everyone and their brother created one. I own four "dictionaries" and three "encyclopedias" of superstitions, along with numerous other books on the topic and this one ranks near the top of the pile. Each entry has a few superstitions in italics along with more detail in an article below. What puts this book above most others is it's readability -- many beliefs are illustrated with stories, often personal ones. This book isn't as extensive as some available today, and the book was revised and expanded in 1961. (That version is good as well, and both seem to contain things which the other does not, this aside they both read differently and make for a different experience.) A classic for folklorists and recommended really for anyone interested in this topic as a top choice.
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5.0 out of 5 stars the critic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2019
4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful reference book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2013
I had this book years ago and lost it, but it's the best reference book I've come across for English superstitions. The encyclopedic layout makes it very easy to find things out.