Free (nook) Strange But True: Popular Beliefs & Traditions [Cultural Customs History]

[ATDrake]

Strange But True: A Historical Background to Popular Beliefs and Traditions by Dr. Monica-Maria Stapelberg, a retired Australian-resident former lecturer in various forms of history and cultural studies, is one of those explanatory roots-of-things-we-do-and-how-they-came-to-be sorts of history trivia books, free courtesy of publisher Crux, who are publishing it as an updated and expanded version of one of her earlier titles.

This is done in a rather light, accessible style, but contains footnote references as well, and is really quite nifty. And while it mostly focuses on spookier subjects like occult practices and superstitions in the earlier sections, there's also lots of bits on the observations and practices which led to the origins of more mainstream phrases like "birds of a feather" and "walking in someone else's shadow".

Currently free, probably through the weekend @ B&N (may also drop later in the UK) as their Free Fridays selection of the week.

Unlikely to go free in other stores, as previous B&N Free Fridays selections from this particular publisher have not.

Description
Why do we:

• Christen ships and sailing vessels or refer to them as ‘she’?
• Avoid the number thirteen, breaking mirrors or walking under ladders?
• Use the phrase having a ‘skeleton in the cupboard’?
• Dress baby boys in blue, speak of ‘true blue’ or ‘blue-blooded’?
• Decorate the Christmas Tree or eat Easter Eggs?
• Kiss under the mistletoe or 'trick or treat’ on Halloween?

In this easy-to-read book – a revised and updated re-publication of her previous book, Curious and Curiouser! – author, lecturer and public speaker, Dr. Monica-Maria Stapelberg, shares the results of her many years of research to uncover the historical background behind numerous commonly-held beliefs and traditions. These range from general popular beliefs to the more specific and enlightening traditions of western culture.

Strange but True also brings to light how many of our day-to-day words, phrases and actions are anchored in past ritual or sacrificial observances, or simply based on fearful superstitious notions. This book is a must read for a curious mind!