From Library Journal
This unusual dictionary-type volume offers humorous definitions of words often found in folk and fairy tales and in the fantasy genre. Listings include everything from alchemists to wizards. The book may have limited reference value, but LJ's reviewer nevertheless found it "lots of fun" (LJ 3/1/67).
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
Read The Book of Weird and enter into the mysterious netherworld of the fantastical. Ever since its original publication over a quarter of a century ago, this book has delighted fans of arcana and the occult. Now, a new package will draw still another generation to its mysterious charms. With the help of this playful sourcebook, you can decide which sounds like the more attractive occupation--witch or sorceress (or warlock or wizard). Using the table of ancient remedies you can learn how to cure common afflictions--from epilepsy to warts--that have plagued human history from the dawn of time. And by reading this book, you will finally know the proper time for matins and vespers, and when to celebrate Candlemas, Beltane, and Michaelmas. The Book of Weird will take you through each of the deadly sins, and for good measure, each of the splendid virtues. You will learn how to avoid werewolves and vampires, and what to do to get rid of ghosts. It will teach you how to distinguish an incubus from a succubus in order to determine which you'd rather be visited by in the dark of night. Whether you are faced with gnome or dwarf, troll or ogre, elf or fairy, you will know the difference after browsing through this fun-filled, informative treasure chest of hidden knowledge.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews   6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: Like finding buried treasure, except maybe better, July 31, 2002 By  loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews    So you don't know the differences between giants, trolls, and ogres? How about oafs, churls, and louts? Did your liberal arts education not cover which part of a castle wall is properly called a merlon or a crenel? Or perhaps your science background failed to equip you with the knowledge needed to distinguish fat from tallow or parchment from vellum? Are you unsure if a particular wizard is trustworthy? Then you clearly need a copy of the splendid reference by called the Book of Weird, a venerable stockpile of arcane knowledge. The author, Barbara Ninde Byfield, has termed her work, with both modesty and accuracy, as "Being a most Desirable Lexicon of the Fantastical. . ." The often tongue-in-cheek entries are truly both informative and often hilarious. For instance, we learn not only that are churls "ill bred, and very likely low born" but also are provided with the insight that "If they serve beer, they slop it: if they drink beer, they belch." Byfield even provides an appendix of sorts of "Useful Information" wherein you can learn about weights and measures (of course, you may already know that a firkin = 56 pounds and that an ell spans 4 feet), a list of legal holidays (including various Sabbats), and some medicinal advice that may not be for the squeamish. This is the sort of book that will improve one's spirits. It's clever, smart, and fun. My only regret is that my large format copy of the 1973 edition finally fell apart because of continued use. Still, this smaller format version is worth finding and hanging onto. Also, you might find an even earlier edition published under the somewhat confusing and less descriptive title The Glass Harmonica. Gotta go perform some rites. . .  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?