America's leading authority on Halloween presents interviews with spooky rock groups, amateur vampires, haunted house creators, champion pumpkin carvers, and more, all in the quest of explaining the nation's unique love affair with this holiday. The collection of essays and interviews explores the pop culture phenomenon that is Halloween, and why we celebrate it the way we do today.
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"A sophisticated yet playful celebration of all things macabre, morbid, and marvelous . . . Bannatyne makes a great case for celebrating Halloween everyday, all year long. . . . It's an energetic, thorough, and breathless salute to everyone's favorite horror holiday." -Chris Alexander, editor in chief, Fangoria magazine
"After reading this book, I've added about thirty things to this year's 'Halloween to-do list'! Halloween Nation is the perfect source for hundreds of different ways to celebrate our favorite holiday!" -Richard Christy, writer/producer, The Howard Stern Show, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio
"After reading this book, I've added about thirty things to this year's 'Halloween to-do list'! Halloween Nation is the perfect source for hundreds of different ways to celebrate our favorite holiday!" -Richard Christy, writer/producer, The Howard Stern Show, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio
From the Author
Halloween Nation is my attempt to understand why Halloween is so important today, who makes and celebrates it, and why it matters. It's my fifth book, and my favorite. There are those who say that Halloween is an over-commercialized holiday that's lost it's meaning. After talking with scream queens, prop-designers, pumpkin carvers and growers, pumpkin beer brewers, ghost hunters, home haunters, mediums, witches, zombie scientists, dark artists, craft artists, musicians, morticians, and many, many others, I can tell you that Halloween is very important to a lot of different people, and for reasons that go way beyond how incredibly fun it is. I really hope you enjoy this.
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More About the Author
Lesley Bannatyne is an American author who writes extensively on Halloween, especially its history, literature, and contemporary celebration. Bannatyne is also a freelance journalist who's covered stories ranging from druids in Somerville, Massachusetts to relief workers in Bolivia. Her most recent book, Halloween Nation. Behind the Scenes of America's Fright Night, was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. She has written four other books on Halloween including a history, an anthology, a children's book and a How-To. Read more on http://www.iskullhalloween.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By shadowbat
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Probably the best book on modern Halloween traditions I have read. Lesley not only covers what Halloween means NOW, but also gives us in depth information on it's origins. She takes us on a grand investigation on what current traditions and activities Halloween enthusiasts are creating for our modern times while also keeping the ancient beliefs and rituals alive. You really get a sense of genuine interest from Lesley and she translates the true passion that the people she included in this book have for this holiday.
If you are a Halloween enthusiast or even have just a basic interest, this is the best book for you to read and own.
5 out of 5!
If you are a Halloween enthusiast or even have just a basic interest, this is the best book for you to read and own.
5 out of 5!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
HALLOWEEN NATION is not just a terrific new book on Halloween, but one that also explores our culture's love with dark art and the paranormal. The book sets out to explore how Halloween and popular culture have cross-pollinated, and topics include our fascination with zombies, ghost investigations, and even horror-themed tattoos. The book is extremely well-researched, with dozens of first-person encounters and interviews (the notes and bibliography are also excellent), and the accompanying color photos are superb. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in popular culture, horror, or - of course! - Halloween.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ted
Format:Paperback
An entertaining (and spooky!) look at modern-day Halloween. The book covers it ALL (history, haunted attractions, zombie walks, decorations, pumpkins, parades, costumes, props, etc.). If you are a fan of Halloween, there's no question: This book is a MUST have.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
great detailed book!
everything you wanted to possibly want to know about halloween.I thoroughly enjoyed it.Perfect for a halloween enthusiast like me!a must buy!
Published 2 months ago by S. Lebel
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
If you really like Halloween you'll like this book. A cornucopia of Halloween traditions in America. Great pictures and perfect for the coffee table!
Published 4 months ago by Mike P
5.0 out of 5 stars
Immerse yourself in Halloween!
Full disclosure: Lesley and I are friends. We weren't always though. There was a time, when I just a fan, in awe of her writing talent and knowledge of Halloween. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Midnyte Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent and entertaining read!
I found this book utterly engrossing and entertaining. The author travels across the country, relating various ways Hallowe'en is celebrated and what it means to various people. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Gene
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Bit of Hallowe'en For Everyone!
As a lifelong fan of all things Hallowe'en-related, I've been reading Lesley's books for over a decade. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Alan Sanborn
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is Halloween (Nation)
First, if you're a Halloween enthusiast, you need to get this book. Not only does it briefly cover the origins of Halloween but more importantly, it looks at Halloween through... Read more
Published 19 months ago by E. T. Dexter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious and Deep as the Ocean
Ms. Bannatyne writes in a personal style packed with such a sense of humor it is easy to miss the gravity of what she is saying in this fascinating, quirky, full of facts you never... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Frangiapan
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I was really disappointed by this book. Half the pages do not have pictures and the pictures that are in the book were about zombies. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars
This one is a keeper
This isn't merely a look at modern Halloween symbols and figures; this book also provides information and educated speculation and interviews to support how these symbols have... Read more
Published 20 months ago by process precocious
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you love Halloween...
If you love Halloween, you'll love this book! It feels like exactly what I (and I'm sure, many others) have been waiting for - a look at contemporary North American Halloween that... Read more
Published 23 months ago by TheApeOfJape
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