Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History

by Lesley Pratt Bannatyne

"Lesley Bannatyne's fascinating book . . . will be widely appealing to anyone who ever wondered where witches, trick-or-treating, and jack-o-lanterns really came from. It is by far the best book on the history of Halloween available today."
--Alison Guss, senior producer,"The Haunted History of Halloween," The History Channel "An excellent resource for research into the history of holidays . . . in the United States
. . . Highly Recommended."
--The Book Report "Deserves attention as a recommended library acquisition with years of 'life' to its information."
--The Midwest Book Review "Overflows with rich and provocative details of ritual, feasts, superstition, and devilment."
--North Carolina Historical Review Halloween has evolved from the Celtic celebrations of 2,000 years ago to become today the fastest-growing holiday in the country. This, the only book to completely cover All Hallow's Eve, from its beginnings to the present, examines the ancient origins as well as its traditions and celebrations, from costuming to bobbing for apples. Jack-o-lanterns, black cats, and witches are explained. Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins lurk behind every page. The book traces the contributions of America's immigrants to the holiday, documenting the beliefs each ethnic group has added to the mix. Related recipes, poems, songs, and photos perfectly complement the meticulously documented text. The result is the most educational and entertaining examination of Halloween, its myths, and its truths.

Genres: Halloween, History, Nonfiction, Holiday, Folklore, American History, Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Lesley Bannatyne is an American author who writes extensively on Halloween, especially its history, literature, and contemporary celebration. She also writes short stories, many of which are included in her debut collection _Unaccustomed to Grace_, out from Kallisto Gaia Press in March, 2022. iN 2024, her Lake Song. A Novel in Stories won the Grace Paley Prize and is published by Mad Creek Books in September 2025.

Bannatyne has shared her knowledge on television specials for the History Channel ("The Haunted History of Halloween," "The Real Story of Halloween"), with Time Magazine, Slate, National Geographic, and contributed the Halloween article to World Book Encyclopedia. Her Halloween books range from a children's book, Witches Night Before Halloween, to Halloween Nation, which examines the holiday through the eyes of its celebrants. The book was nominated for a 2011 Bram Stoker Award. Her other titles are A Halloween How-To. Costumes, Parties, Destinations, Decorations (2001); A Halloween Reader. Poems, Stories, and Plays from Halloweens Past (2004), and Halloween. An American Holiday, An American History, which celebrated 30 years in print in 2020.

Her fiction and essays have been published in the Boston Globe, Smithsonian, Christian Science Monitor, and Zone 3, Pangyrus, Shooter, Craft, Ocotillo Review, Fish, and Bosque Literary Magazines. She won the 2018 Bosque fiction prize and received the 2019 Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award for fiction, the 2020 Ghoststory.com fiction prize, and the 2024 Grace Paley Prize for short fiction. As a freelance journalist, she covered stories ranging from druids in Massachusetts to relief workers in Bolivia.

Lesley lives and works in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Jakob J. 🎃 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wear my silence like a mask And murmur like a ghost
"Trick or Treat," "Trick or Treat"
The bitter and the sweet.
--Siouxsie And The Banshees, Halloween


I don’t know how much new information about Samhain, All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, Spooky Season, Mischief Night, Festival of the Dead, The Witching Hour, etc. I can acquire, but I will never cease reading books about it, watching videos about it, speaking reverently about it.

It is a subject of which I will never tire, a glorious glee which will never fall short of anticipation, an atmosphere that will eternally echo vibes of previous autumn wonders. It is special, evermore necessary as years go on, heaping on more responsibilities, tragedies, and stress onto our lives. It is deeply personal, but also a shared exultation in which I love engaging and which I am always working on more accurately articulating.

Give me all the Halloween books.

[Oana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear, Bannatyne's book was the worst of the three Halloween pop culture books I read recently. The editing was about at the level of a bad college paper, with repetition and clunky transitions. If you notice these things while reading, it's a sign that there is something off with them.

The next problem is that the footnotes are not extensive. Yes, Bannatyne's book has a huge bibliography, but I have no idea where she got her info and whether or not I can verify it. I also have no idea which other books to read if I wanted to read more on the topic. This issue could be partly to blame on the 1980s when the book was written (it was first published in 1990, I believe). I often come come across pop culture books from before 1995-ish with no endnotes or even bibliographies, something that appears to still be a problem with some of the more amateur local history books.

The next problem was the lack of analysis and thus the lack of a clear understanding of the evolution of the holiday. And, yes to the angry critic here on Goodreads who couldn't believe that Halloween had anything to do with marriages, it did. What I want to know is why Halloween evolved from *that* sort of celebration to today's candy, black and orange affair. Nicholas Rogers does this so much better in his slightly more academic Halloween: From Pagan Night to Party Night.

Finally, the additional information interspersed among the text, should have been either in boxed sidebars or between chapters. As it was in my edition, the sudden appearance of mini tangents everywhere was distracting.

I feel bad that I have so much criticism of this book. It did have great info and I have seen tons of Halloween websites rip off her work without credit. Plus, on her own website, she looks like a nice person. Maybe this book was something rushed for the series (there's also a Thanksgiving version of this book, called Thanksgiving: An American Holiday, An American History, by another writer) and Bannantyne sent it off before a really thorough read? Ok, maybe I am just making excuses for her. I just hope her feelings won't be too hurt if she ever reads this.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not gonna lie, when I first picked up this book I was a little skeptical . I'd read "The Halloween Tree" by Ray Bradbury, I knew all their was to know about the history of Halloween, how could their possibly be any more to the story? Well, that's where I was wrong. Author, Lesley Pratt Bannatyne, painstaking researches the origins of traditions, feast days, and folk lore going all the way back to the Celts, Druids, and Romans. Even though the title of this book boasts the "American History," Bannatyne does her research and takes the reader all the way back to Europe to get a glimpse of the first origins. She then talks about how it was meshed with other cultures and religions (the Roman Empire, Christianity, etc.) through the centuries and how it finally was celebrated on October 31 (November 1 is All Saint's Day or Hallow's Day, so October 31 is Hallows Eve). Once it was joined with Scottish and Irish traditions, it started to more closely resemble the holiday we celebrate now: costumes to blend in with the dead, begging for food door to door, carrying turnip lanterns (pumpkins were a new favorite when they came to America), and playing pranks or tricks on one another (picked up from Guy Fawkes Day). Once the immigrants brought their traditions to the United States, things escalated and by the late nineteenth century, ladies magazines were producing articles on how to throw the best Halloween parties. When the Halloween tradition came to America, it lost a lot of the "communion with the dead" aspects. The Victorian age simply turned it into another reason to party.

Overall, it was a fascinating read. I learned soo much about one of my favorite holidays and I definitely appreciate it even more, knowing the rich history behind the traditions. A must read for any fan of Halloween or things that go bump in the night. It's filled with great poetry, pictures, and drawings to go along with the history. I do wish there had been more about the Day of the Dead and the evolution of costumes (how did they get so slutty?!), but hey, this book is 25 years old, I understand :)

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the historical development of the Halloween celebration in America. The research done for this book was good but I sort of felt more in-depth details or descriptions could have been shared. The editing of this book is not good and it made the book difficult to follow or read at times. If the publisher ever prints another edition I would hope they would fix the editing and would also delete portions of this book that were rather redundant and use the "new found space" for further details. The historical photos and newspaper clippings and inserts were interesting but again I would suggest editing some of them because I didn't feel like all of them added to the stories/information being shared.

[Elizabeth Blaeser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite my love for Halloween, this book felt like a slog to get through. I'm not sure if it was the way that it was written or what but I could not seem to hold on to any of the information that was dispensed. Additionally, the content, or at least the way it was presented, felt boring and repetitive. I had higher hopes for this book..

[James Slaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such horrible historical inaccuracies. Samhain the god of death? Geez. The only reason I gave it to two stars instead of one, is that some of the colonial in Victorian era information is interesting. Otherwise, find another Halloween book.

Read again Sept 2019 to give it another shot. Still think the same. Get something else if you want accuracy. Read this if you want a book half full of foolish tripe.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book isn't very long, but it is filled with lots of information. There isn't anything about Halloween in the 1990s, or 2000s. But, this book is quite good if you want to know about the origins of Halloween and all the Halloween games that were played. All of the information was quite fascinating. I recommend it to anyone interested in Halloween's origins.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall answered my question of why Halloween is a staple holiday here in America even though its roots are in the British Isles, but wasn't worth the read. It could've been shorter/needs a lot of editing, I'm giving it 2 stars for that because I think you could just read a summary of this book and know all you needed to learn. Like borrow this book and skim it and you'll have read it imo.

TL;DR if you're going to be given the title of the best book on the history of Halloween please actually give all American influences their dues and don't be racist when you do it.

It needs to be shorter since most of the chapters touch on topics previously discussed in prior chapters. Or even within a chapter, it repeats points within the same subchapter that didn't really need a whole subchapter then. This gets super annoying and made me take a while to finish because I kept getting angry that the author felt the need to describe something with the same level of detail every time it was mentioned. My memory works just fine, please don't describe Apple bobbing for the 5th time, thanks.

This book also would've benefitted from more editing on what history of Halloween we learned about and also how to share those topics without being racist. It heavily focuses on European influences beyond the initial founding of America - Europe was given a full 3 of the 7 chapters in this book, you could even argue 4 because the Victorian chapter is about the Irish/Scottish/British influences (AGAIN!). And it was racist when we did get details about enslaved Black people's and Mexican people's influences on the holiday. By no means did we get a lot of POC's contributions btw, we got very little detail about their cultural influences. For example we get a little morsel of enslaved people's cultures on Halloween as Voodoo nestled in a subchapter within a chapter about European influences. Voodoo is not the universal experience of all people enslaved people from the African continent but apparently the only one we'll dedicate 150 words to. Also the author flat out said the reason enslaved Black people during the 1800s had more "primitive" Halloween was because White women were more educated and "whispered" the Halloween traditions they were learning in school to the Black women in the kitchens and then those Black women brought those traditions back to their families through oral tradition (NICE!). We then get a casual name drop for Día de los Muertos and then off to Europe for the final touches.

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a few books on Halloween over the years—there are remarkably few of them written for adults—but I only learned of Lesley Pratt Bannatyne recently. This particular book seems to have reignited interest in a holiday that has no official sanction, but which many people proclaim is their favorite. It’s not a day off work and it has many local variations, but the essence of the day is massively appreciated. This book helps explore the background to it.

Arranged roughly in chronological order, it begins with that troublesome period about which we know both so much and so little. As I note elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), the Celts didn’t leave massive written archives like their southern neighbors, the Romans, did. In fact, much of what we know about the Celts comes from Roman information about them. This means that the early days of Samhain, the ancestor to Halloween, are poorly understood. The first chapter is the least convincing in this book.

Once Bannatyne reaches America, however, this book proves an invaluable resource. She clearly did a lot of research and pulled together many different facets of what was to become our modern holiday. Halloween is something we do without understanding it. Yet, when October rolls around our thoughts go in that direction. This is a very good starting point for those who want to understand a most unusual holiday.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special. Kinda short and a bit repetitive (and dated as it was published in 1990), but a decent short background on the colonial roots of Halloween in America. Book is made up of several short essays about the evolution of what we know as the holiday, from different territories when the first settlers came, and what folklore and traditions they brought with; also includes the first settlers and blacks from West Africa, etc and the myths, traditions, folklore, and superstitions and rituals that each brought. Includes a short bit on the witch craze of Salem, how the Victorians celebrated it, how Catholicism's influence waxed and waned and what was allowed to be followed and what wasn't. I'd definitely like a more in-depth history of Halloween but this is interesting for the little there is. Deals mostly with superstitions each group of people believed.

[Eileen G. Mykkels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is best understood as a collection of essays that could easily be read separately about the various customs for celebrating Halloween during the different eras of American history (and world history) to a certain extent. The weakest essay is the chapter on the Victorians, which is a true disappointment, considering that their Halloween traditions and superstitions are so much a rich part of how we ended up where we are today. It's too bad it was written in 1990, or it might have whole chapters more detailing the continued evolution of my favourite holiday.

[Jeff McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Bannatyne briefly discusses the European antecedents of All Hallows (Halloween), her focus rests primarily on its evolution as a quintessential American celebration - drawing from the roots of English, Irish, and Afro-American traditions.

From its traditional roots as a day for communication with the dead, to a day filled with tricks and pranks, its evolution into a day meant for divination and romance, to its current incarnation as a celebration meant for children of all ages...this is the text for you.

I could see this text used in a college or university class on major American holidays....


Jeff

[Alyssa Kowalick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this history of Halloween! It did have some parts that were repetitive but I believe that's because each chapter is a separate essay and could be a standalone work. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to find out more about the traditions and history of this holiday and others!

[Mbur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical overview of how America's version of Halloween came about state by state, examining how multiple cultures, religions, and turning points in history (revolutionary war, the world wars, etc.) shape what we celebrate today.

[Britt Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little repetitive and contains typos. But overall an interesting read.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 1 out of 5]

All over the place, to much detail or not enough detail and it was so very mattered of fact it felt like a report. You can tell the research is there but so much is hearsay. Highly disappointed.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Chris Koeppel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice history of Halloween in the USA

This is a well written and fascinating history
Of Halloween in the USA, from Roman and Celtic origins to modern

[Anne Wi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book gave a lot really great information regarding Halloween. I felt it gave a great timeline from ancient to modern times. I will definately read this book again!

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good little history of Halloween and how and why Americans celebrate it the way we do. The author has certainly done her homework, the depth of detail is impressive. Glad I read it.

[Tabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive and thorough review of how Halloween came to be and has evolved since the beginnings of traditions overseas in a variety of countries and cultures.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Very dated now. Not as scholarly as I would like. It reminds me of readers digest books I used to pour over as a kid which was the vibe I wanted.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative! I loved hearing about the history behind Halloween 🎃

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting facts about the rise of Halloween through America.

[Madeline Rochon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will now keep the spirit of Halloween in my heart all year round :)

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Halloween provides something that is unique: a full-fledged celebration of fantasy...It is a holiday of magic and mystery, and one, though a peculiar blending of culture and custom, that is uniquely American." (p. 158)

Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History "inaugurated contemporary Halloween popular histories and paved the way for the numerous Halloween histories published since."*

Unfortunately for Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History it was last on my list of reading on the origins and history of Halloween. By the time I'd come to Bannatyne's Halloween, published in 1990, I'd already read the more recent Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween and The Halloween Encyclopedia by Lisa Morton.

Both of Morton's books presented the latest findings on Halloween's history which contradicted Bannatyne's research from 20 years prior in Halloween; for example, that of Samhain as a "Lord of Death." Overlooking the historical inaccuracies, Halloween still offered a unique perspective on the evolution of the American Halloween in its presentation of personal narratives and accounts from geographical locales and/or specific time periods.

Recommended to those who want a tightly focused, historical walk-through of Halloween in America from a sociological standpoint.

3 stars

*Morton, Lisa. The Halloween Encyclopedia,2nd ed., Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co., 2011.

[Copa Digato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple read about the history and influence of Halloween. The book takes you from the seperate celebrations of the ancient peoples passed down through seperate cultures all over Europe to it's confluence within the Americas. It highlights the humble beginnings of a rural Autumn Celebration of romance and harvest that later gave way to adult themed parties in Urban America which began to adapt to younger and younger individuals until it was mostly celebrated by children. The book also explains how important Halloween was during the depression era and was taken vary seriously with parades and dance parties within various towns and cities. The book has reference books for even more in depth research. I found the book very fascinating and feel much more knowlegdable and respectful of the tradition is has become known as Halloween.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book. It's quite short, cheaply printed, and Bannatyne frequently repeats information. It's also almost 20 years old, so don't expect anything about the absolute commercial explosion of Halloween in the '90s and 2000s. I did enjoy learning about Victorian and even older fortune-telling games and the "play parties" of early America, but I would have liked more commentary on why Halloween observances have changed, and more detail.

There are some very cool magazine illustrations and photos included, but at least in my edition they're blurry and small so you can't really appreciate them.

[Christopher Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read and deeply enjoyable. It succinctly describes how Halloween has morphed and changed through the years, adapting to changes in the broader world. Regrettably, the book's scholarship thins as it approaches the present day, however. The most notable gap concerns what caused the sudden spike in destructive nationwide vandalism associated with Halloween in the early 20th century. The text describes community reactions to the event but doesn't propose a root cause.

Note. I also waited several years to read this, waiting for a Kindle version to be released. That STILL has t happened.

[jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This non-fiction covers the origins of the holiday, from the bits of Irish, English, Scottish, German and African cultures that mixed together to give us a day of witches, jack o' lanterns, trick or treating and pranks. The research is comprehensive but the writing can be downright dry in some areas and the arrangement, though linear and easy to follow, is strangely done. Amateurish, I guess, as essays are routinely cut off by a page of poetry and many of the photos do little to showcase the subject matter. Still, a decent choice for those interested in the facts.