Jack-O'-Lantern: The Strange History of the Halloween Pumpkin from Ancient Times to the Present

by David Acord

The jack-o’-lantern is the symbol of Halloween around the world. But how much do you really know about this mysterious pumpkin? Probably not as much as you think! In this first-ever book-length history of the jack-o’-lantern’s long, wild ride through human history, David Acord (author of Old Halloween and Graveyard Groove: The Haunted History of Monster Music) gives you a trick-or-treat sack’s worth of new and fascinating facts. For instance – did you know that for centuries, the jack-o’-lantern had nothing at all to do with pumpkins or Halloween? Or that jack-o’-lanterns were once thought to be cursed souls, shape-shifting pagan faeries, ghosts of criminals and premonitions of death, to name just a few superstitions? From ancient Rome to medieval Europe to 21st-century America, discover the unbelievable truth about the beloved Halloween mascot!Most books on Halloween history only devote a few paragraphs to the jack-o’-lantern story. But there is so much more to learn! Illustrated with rare photos from the author’s collection, “Jack-O’-Lantern: The Strange History of the Halloween Pumpkin” was written for everyone who loves Halloween, folklore and mythology. In its pages you’ll find dozens of legends and eyewitness accounts of encounters with the mysterious jack-o’-lantern in its original form – a glowing ball of light that led nighttime travelers off the road and into the deep woods…or worse!“Jack-O’-Lantern: The Strange History of the Halloween Pumpkin: traces the legend from mankind’s earliest history to the twenty-first century. The jack-o’-lantern has continually transformed and evolved over the centuries. Find out where it’s been – and what’s next!

Genres: Halloween

163 pages, Paperback

Published October 12, 2018

Reviews

[Texv Velis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting folkloric history of the Jack O Lantern. Which is broken up into two parts the first part is about the folkloric tradition based on the phenomenon of ignis fatuus which is caused by burning swap gas. The second half being about the tradition of craving lanterns out of vegetables and how this tradition was brought to America. Lots of good illustrations and well researched. Fun, fast read.