Boo!: Everything you ever wanted to know about fear

by Clive Gifford, Rohan Eason (Illustrator)

What are you afraid of? Maybe it's heights, public speaking, spiders... or things that go bump in the night. Whatever your biggest fear, have you ever wondered why it gets to you so much? Boo! will answer that question and a lot more, on a fascinating thrill-ride where you'll discover everything you ever wanted to know about fear, but were afraid to ask.

Boo! explores the science and history of fear in engrossing—and often just plain gross—detail, with illustrations throughout that will appeal to any curious 10–13-year-old. Across thirteen chapters, learn why fear is an evolutionary advantage, what hoaxes and hysteria reveal about the human psyche, and how fear has been used for both good and ill over the centuries. You'll meet historical figures with surprising phobias, such as Emperor Augustus and his fear of lightning. And you'll creep through some of the eeriest real-life hauntings ever reported, from the rattling bars of the Ohio State Reformatory to the seafaring spirits of California's RMS Queen Mary. Other chapters unravel the long history of telling scary stories and even teach you how to tell your own, with quoted wisdom from some of the best to ever do it. You'll also take a peek behind the workings of your favorite horror movies and learn what makes them work.

But fear is more than ghosts and Boo ! takes a serious look at the kinds of fears we all deal with every day, from FOMO to anxiety. Tips and tricks for identifying, managing, and conquering your fears are laid out in clear terms, giving you the confidence to be courageous in your day-to-day life.

From the depths of the human brain to the voices from beyond the grave, and tackling the fears familiar to us all, Boo! is a must-have guide to this endlessly interesting yet little understood topic. Whether you're looking for a dose of psychology, pop-culture, folklore, mental wellbeing tips, or just a good old-fashioned scare, this is the book for you.

200 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 4, 2026

About the author

Clive Gifford is a highly experienced journalist and author with over 170 books published and more than 800 features and stories written for adults and children.

Clive is an unusual author who likes to work in both fiction and non-fiction. Perhaps this reflects his unusual life which, so far, has seen him travel to over 70 countries, be held hostage in Colombia, go parachuting, coach several sports and run a computer games company.

He says: "What drives me more than anything else is the desire to communicate, entertain and inform through the written word."