Customer Reviews

Dictionary of Superstitions

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fantastic reference book of superstitions, new and old! While it would have been nice to get an explanation of the origin of these superstitions, the book is still a great read and helps to understand why some people feel and fear the way they do.

As for the definition of BELT, which references to the marriage to a coloured man and caused a certain amount of discomfort of reviewers on here, yes, it's a term that is dated now but the cover sleeve of the hardback does say, and I quote: "The Cassell Dictionary of Superstitions provides a fascinating overview of an astonishing diverse range of popularity held fears and beliefs. Many are still familiar and widespread. Others now belong firmly to the past, but are intriguing nonetheless for the insights they offer into human preoccupations and taboos." The operative words being "others now belong firmly to the past" and mean they are not NEW superstitions. I believe the wording was kept in the original format to preserve the history of these superstitions.

By the way, the word OMEN, which also appears in the definition of BELT, does not always mean negative, it is a phenomenon supposed to portend (predition of) good or evil. You get to pick depending on the intention!

i look down on who decided that because of one definition, they returned the book. I in turn cary it around where ever i go, and find it's now my favorite passages to read in my spare time. This is an amazing book i shall never forget.

This book is a fascinating and well-researched read. I have family in Germany that still believe some of these old superstitions (haha) - so the author didn't make them up.

Bought as a gift for my daughter. She was thrilled! Book in GREAT condition and exactly what I wanted for her. I would buy from this seller again!

This book is not really a dictionary, but more of a micro-encyclopedia. It does have an impressive list of items and the superstitions associated with those items. The problem is that the details given are very poorly researched and there are no sources sited. Each of the articles under each item are not well constructed or organized, particularly for the larger entries. There appears to be a lot of hearsay in the book. Without sources sited, the reader may become suspicious as to whether the author is pulling their leg, or was having his leg pulled by someone else. There has got to be better sources for this information.

it is a very good reference book