A Pocket Guide to Superstitions of the British Isles (The Pocket Guide) by Steve Roud (4-Nov-2004) Hardcover

by Steve Roud

Excellent Book

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Folklore, British Literature, Mythology, Reference

Hardcover

First published November 4, 2004

Reviews

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Pocket Guide, there have been other better books.

[Leonardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Roud's "general public" version of his in depth-study on superstitions on the British Isles is a very intelligent and passionate account of omens, signs, charms, origin stories, and other bits of folklore beliefs. Household items, animals (both domestic and wild), days of the years, body parts and even actual occult/magical practices and beings are subject of detailed (and actually fair) accounts balanced with a critical view of the said beliefs and their supposed origins or basis. Although the author is never disrispectful of individual believers, he tirelessly points out the contradictions and shaky basis for those beliefs and particularly questions the Margaret Murray school of thought that considers superstitions as remnants of Druidic and pre-Christian beliefs. In summary, this book is a very detailed account of superstitions that will satisfy critical minds without insulting believers.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content was good as enjoy folklore and folk tales and was expecting a bit more from this book. The author seems to be trying to dispel the traditions and blame the victorians for making up many of the superstitions and takes the fun right out of the subject. He seems to think that because he hasn't found it in his research it does not then exist. His bibliography on the subject is not that large and he comes across as pompous in his research. He has written several books on similar subject but i have no intention of reading them if they are treated in the same manner as this book. This should have been fun but isn't.

[Wayne Farmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A vaguely interesting book, but written far too drily. The author constantly mentions another authors work, so much so that I felt I should be reading that book and not this one. I was hoping for a fun look at superstitions, but this book was very clinical. Also, each superstitions entry pretty much says the same thing regarding its origins - namely that the Victorians started it - and this gets tiresome very early on.
I would hope there are better books out there on the subject.

[Winifred · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was interesting. Hadn't heard of some of the superstitions. Interesting to know how these superstitions started and where they originated. Not all the superstitions where know in each of the countries. I you like trivia or someting a bit different not a bad book.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book full of things I both knew and didn't with interesting explanations/suggestions to how they came about.