Boasting a rich, complex history rooted in Celtic and Christian ritual, Halloween has evolved from ethnic celebration to a blend of street festival, fright night, and vast commercial enterprise. In this colorful history, Nicholas Rogers takes a lively, entertaining look at the cultural origins and development of one of the most popular holidays of the year.
Drawing on a fascinating array of sources, from classical history to Hollywood films, Rogers traces Halloween as it emerged from the Celtic festival of Samhain (summer's end), picked up elements of the Christian Hallowtide (All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day), arrived in North America as an Irish and Scottish festival, and evolved into an unofficial but large-scale holiday by the early 20th century. He examines the 1970s and '80s phenomena of Halloween sadism (razor blades in apples) and inner-city violence (arson in Detroit), as well as the immense influence of the horror film genre on the reinvention of Halloween as a terror-fest. Throughout his vivid account, Rogers shows how Halloween remains, at its core, a night of inversion, when social norms are turned upside down, and a temporary freedom of expression reigns supreme. He examines how this very license has prompted censure by the religious Right, occasional outrage from law enforcement officials, and appropriation by Left-leaning political groups.
Engagingly written and based on extensive research, Halloween is the definitive history of the most bewitching day of the year, illuminating the intricate history and shifting cultural forces behind this enduring trick-or-treat holiday.
Drawing on a fascinating array of sources, from classical history to Hollywood films, Rogers traces Halloween as it emerged from the Celtic festival of Samhain (summer's end), picked up elements of the Christian Hallowtide (All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day), arrived in North America as an Irish and Scottish festival, and evolved into an unofficial but large-scale holiday by the early 20th century. He examines the 1970s and '80s phenomena of Halloween sadism (razor blades in apples) and inner-city violence (arson in Detroit), as well as the immense influence of the horror film genre on the reinvention of Halloween as a terror-fest. Throughout his vivid account, Rogers shows how Halloween remains, at its core, a night of inversion, when social norms are turned upside down, and a temporary freedom of expression reigns supreme. He examines how this very license has prompted censure by the religious Right, occasional outrage from law enforcement officials, and appropriation by Left-leaning political groups.
Engagingly written and based on extensive research, Halloween is the definitive history of the most bewitching day of the year, illuminating the intricate history and shifting cultural forces behind this enduring trick-or-treat holiday.
A collection of anonymous Hallowe'en Photographs from America, c.1875 - 1955 The roots of Hallowe'en lie in the ancient pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain, a feast to mark the death of the old year and the birth of the new. It was believed that on this night the veil separating the worlds of the living and the dead grew thin and ruptured, allowing spirits to pass through and walk unseen but not unheard amongst men. The advent of Christianity saw the pagan festival subsumed in All Souls' Day, when across Europe the dead were mourned and venerated. Children and the poor, often masked or in outlandish costume, wandered the night begging 'soul cakes' in exchange for prayers, and fires burned to keep malevolent phantoms at bay. The photographs in Haunted Air provide an extraordinary glimpse into the traditions of this macabre festival from ages past, and form an important document of photographic history. These are the pictures of the dead: family portraits, mementos of the treasured, now unrecognizable, other. Torn from album pages, sold piecemeal for pennies and scattered, abandoned to melancholy chance and the hands of strangers.
Mona Chollet's In Defense of Witches is a "brilliant, well-documented" celebration (Le Monde) by an acclaimed French feminist of the witch as a symbol of female rebellion and independence in the face of misogyny and persecution.
Centuries after the infamous witch hunts that swept through Europe and America, witches continue to hold a unique fascination for many: as fairy tale villains, practitioners of pagan religion, as well as feminist icons. Witches are both the ultimate victim and the stubborn, elusive rebel. But who were the women who were accused and often killed for witchcraft? What types of women have centuries of terror censored, eliminated, and repressed? Celebrated feminist writer Mona Chollet explores three types of women who were accused of witchcraft and persecuted: the independent woman, since widows and celibates were particularly targeted; the childless woman, since the time of the hunts marked the end of tolerance for those who claimed to control their fertility; and the elderly woman, who has always been an object of at best, pity, and at worst, horror. Examining modern society, Chollet concludes that these women continue to be harrassed and oppressed. Rather than being a brief moment in history, the persecution of witches is an example of society's seemingly eternal misogyny, while women today are direct descendants to those who were hunted down and killed for their thoughts and actions. With fiery prose and arguments that range from the scholarly to the cultural, In Defense of Witches seeks to unite the mythic image of the witch with modern women who live their lives on their own terms.
Elizabeth Ambler started compiling her household book of cures in the early eighteenth century, including historic treatments passed down over the decades. These intriguing remedies include Sir Walter Raleigh's Receipt against Plague, Viper Broth and Snail Milk Water, as well as Ginger Bread and Apricot Ratafia. In addition to traditional flowers and herbs, ingredients consist of precious stones, exotic and expensive spices, and large amounts of brandy and wine.
Set against the backdrop of the family's country houses, silverware and lavish portraits, this book is much more than just a collection of curiosities: it offers a fascinating insight into the sickness and health of our Georgian ancestors, and into what really went on in their kitchens.
A Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is a profane guide to the slang from the backstreets and taverns of 18th-century London. This slang dictionary gathers the most amusing and useful terms from English history and helpfully presents them to be used in the conversations of our modern day. Originally published in 1785, the Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue was one of the first lexicons of English slang, compiled by a militia captain who collected the terms he overheard on his late-night excursions to London's slums, dockyards, and taverns. Now the legacy lives on in this colorful pocket dictionary. - Learn the origin of phrases like "birthday suit" and discover slang lost to time.
- Handy pocket-sized edition allows you to whip out vintage curse words whenever needed.
- An unexpected marriage of lowbrow humor and highbrow wit Discover long lost antique slang and curse words and learn how to incorporate them into modern conversation. A Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is perfect for enlivening contemporary conversation with historical phrases; it includes a topical list of words for money, drunkenness, the amorous congress, male and female naughty bits, and so on. - A funny gift for wordplay, language, swearing, and insult fans, as well as fans of British humor and culture
- Perfect for those who loved How to Speak Brit: The Quintessential Guide to the King's English, Cockney Slang, and Other Flummoxing British Phrases by Christopher J. Moore; Knickers in a Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang by Jonathan Bernstein; and The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm by James Napoli
- Handy pocket-sized edition allows you to whip out vintage curse words whenever needed.
- An unexpected marriage of lowbrow humor and highbrow wit Discover long lost antique slang and curse words and learn how to incorporate them into modern conversation. A Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue is perfect for enlivening contemporary conversation with historical phrases; it includes a topical list of words for money, drunkenness, the amorous congress, male and female naughty bits, and so on. - A funny gift for wordplay, language, swearing, and insult fans, as well as fans of British humor and culture
- Perfect for those who loved How to Speak Brit: The Quintessential Guide to the King's English, Cockney Slang, and Other Flummoxing British Phrases by Christopher J. Moore; Knickers in a Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang by Jonathan Bernstein; and The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm by James Napoli
This overview of Hildegard of Bingen's wellness wisdom shows how modern readers can apply the medieval nun's teachings on herbs and nutrition to live a balanced and healthful lifestyle today
Saint Hildegard was ahead of her time. Born in the German Rhineland, the 12th-century nun established a series of guidelines for holistic wellness that continue to be remarkably relevant nearly a millennium later.
This handy guide explains who Hildegard was and why she is still worth listening to today. Delving into her enduring theories for a healthy body and mind, it delivers
- an overview of Hildegard's understanding of how the human body operates;
- Hildegardian nutrition tips (eat spelt!);
- information on her 50 favorite herbs and medicinal plants and how they can be used to address various ailments--for example, bay laurel for gastrointestinal complaints, garlic to lower blood pressure, masterwort to combat fever, and rosemary to treat coughs and colds; and
- an introduction to her ideas on herbal cosmetics and gemstone medicine.
Sharing Saint Hildegard's timeless knowledge with a modern audience, this sketch of the trailblazing nun promotes a holistic approach to well-being that continues to resonate even within the fast pace of our contemporary lifestyle.
Saint Hildegard was ahead of her time. Born in the German Rhineland, the 12th-century nun established a series of guidelines for holistic wellness that continue to be remarkably relevant nearly a millennium later.
This handy guide explains who Hildegard was and why she is still worth listening to today. Delving into her enduring theories for a healthy body and mind, it delivers
- an overview of Hildegard's understanding of how the human body operates;
- Hildegardian nutrition tips (eat spelt!);
- information on her 50 favorite herbs and medicinal plants and how they can be used to address various ailments--for example, bay laurel for gastrointestinal complaints, garlic to lower blood pressure, masterwort to combat fever, and rosemary to treat coughs and colds; and
- an introduction to her ideas on herbal cosmetics and gemstone medicine.
Sharing Saint Hildegard's timeless knowledge with a modern audience, this sketch of the trailblazing nun promotes a holistic approach to well-being that continues to resonate even within the fast pace of our contemporary lifestyle.
Dive into the most mysterious waters around the world (if you dare) in Spooky Lakes, an illustrated nonfiction book from TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford. An instant New York Times bestseller! From Geo Rutherford--the creator of the hit series Spooky Lake Month (over 65 million likes!)--comes this thrilling nonfiction book that plumbs the depths of 25 unusual lakes around the world. Backed by extensive research and packed with all-new content--including eerie and eye-popping watercolor illustrations in full color--Spooky Lakes takes readers on an adventure through weird and wild waters. Some of Earth's strangest--and creepiest--wonders lie deep below the surface... There's Lake Natron, a Tanzanian lake so briny that its waters can mummify any creature that touches its surface; Lake Maracaibo, a Venezuelan tidal bay where a constantly brewing storm sends an average of 28 lightning bolts per second into the water; and at the bottom of Lake Superior, the crew of the USS Kamloops--which mysteriously disappeared in 1921--remains somehow almost perfectly preserved to this day. Readers will learn not only about the science of hydrology, but why understanding the natural world is crucial to protecting it from pollution and climate change. Includes a glossary, bibliography, author's note, and index. Includes These Spooky Lakes:
Lake Superior (United States and Canada)
Roopkund Lake (India)
Lake Karachay (Russia)
Lake Nicaragua (Nicaragua)
Nyiragongo Lava Lake (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Toxic Lake (Romania)
Yellowstone Hot Springs (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, United States)
Kaindy Lake (Kazakhstan)
Cenotes (Mexico)
Jellyfish Lake (Palau)
Kaali Crater Lake (Estonia)
Kawah-Ijen (Indonesia)
Lake Vostok (Antarctica)
Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela)
Lake Nyos (Cameroon)
Pitch Lake (Trinidad)
Spirit Lake (Washington, United States)
Qiandao Lake (China)
Lake Chagan (Kazakhstan)
Underwater Brine Lakes (Gulf of Mexico)
Lake Natron (Tanzania)
Crater Lake (Oregon, United States)
Lake Guatavita (Colombia)
The Shaft (Australia/near Mount Gambier)
Lake Baikal (Russia)
Lake Superior (United States and Canada)
Roopkund Lake (India)
Lake Karachay (Russia)
Lake Nicaragua (Nicaragua)
Nyiragongo Lava Lake (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Toxic Lake (Romania)
Yellowstone Hot Springs (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, United States)
Kaindy Lake (Kazakhstan)
Cenotes (Mexico)
Jellyfish Lake (Palau)
Kaali Crater Lake (Estonia)
Kawah-Ijen (Indonesia)
Lake Vostok (Antarctica)
Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela)
Lake Nyos (Cameroon)
Pitch Lake (Trinidad)
Spirit Lake (Washington, United States)
Qiandao Lake (China)
Lake Chagan (Kazakhstan)
Underwater Brine Lakes (Gulf of Mexico)
Lake Natron (Tanzania)
Crater Lake (Oregon, United States)
Lake Guatavita (Colombia)
The Shaft (Australia/near Mount Gambier)
Lake Baikal (Russia)
Light, floral, exotic or heady, perfume can be both a precious ally for self-care or the ultimate weapon of seduction. From its origins in ancient times to today's colossal cosmetic industry, the story of perfume is rich and enticing. What parts of the world do fragrances come from? Who invented them and what are their main ingredients? How did perfume cross from the sacred to the profane? Who were the first great perfumers? What role has the fashion industry played in the history of perfume? How do you become a successful 'nose'? What stories lie behind iconic perfumes such as Chanel's N°5, CK One, or Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Mâle? Lavishly illustrated with archival documents from the most beautiful fragrance brands, The Story of Perfume transports its readers into a precious and mesmerizing world. It is the perfect gift for special occasions and a must-have for all perfume lovers.
A happy, naive family enters the Evil Garden (free admission!) to spend a sunny afternoon in its inviting landscape, lush with exotic trees and flowers. They soon realize their mistake, as harrowing sounds and evidence of foul play emerge. When humongous hairy bugs, famished carnivorous plants, ferocious fruit-guarding bears, and a sinister strangling snake take charge, the family's ominous feelings turn to full-on panic but where's the exit?
Edward Gorey leads us through this nefarious garden with a light step. His unmistakable drawings paired with engaging couplets produce giggles, not gasps. Perhaps "The Evil Garden" is a morality tale; perhaps it's simply an enigmatic entertainment. Whatever the interpretation, it's a prime example of the iconic storytelling genius that is Edward Gorey.
Throughout history, Scottish women have broken the rules with attitude. Williamina Fleming reached for the stars and took Harvard by storm. Mary Somerville challenged prejudice to claim the title "scientist" for women. Effie Gray knew the power of language to name and shame bullies and belittlers. Agnes Randolph stood up to a siege and owned every minute of it like a boss. Inspirational and fierce in every sense, these sisters will fire you up to face your own modern-day dilemmas with serious style.