Halloween History

Young listeners learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Halloween.

Much has been written about the storied New Hollywood of the 1970s, but while Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Francis Ford Coppola were making their first classic movies, a parallel universe of directors gave birth to the modern horror film - aggressive, raw, and utterly original. Based on unprecedented access to the genre's major players, New York Times critic Jason Zinoman's Shock Value delivers the first definitive account of horror's golden age.

Enter a world where the veil grows thin… …and the creatures are stirring..... The True Origins of Christmas and Halloween is two books in one, an epic journey into the dark, enchanted roots of the year's most magical and mysterious winter festivals. From the shadowed rites of ancient Samhain to the blazing Yule fires of midwinter, travel through time and myth: from ancient Britain and Ireland to the Roman Empire, medieval Europe, and colonial America. Uncover a world of forgotten customs and fearsome folklore, where Gods and monsters walked among mortals. In Book One, learn all about ...

One of NPR’s Great Reads of 2016 “A lively assemblage and smart analysis of dozens of haunting stories…absorbing…[and] intellectually intriguing.” —The New York Times Book Review From the author of The Unidentified, an intellectual feast for fans of offbeat history that takes readers...

Halloween Folklore & Festivities is a compilation of two classic Halloween books written in the early 1900s. The Book of Halloween, by Ruth Edna Kelley, explains the origins of Halloween, including the ancient myths, beliefs, and rituals of the Celts and the Teutons. She traces those ancient origins through other cultures that have influenced the customs of our modern Halloween celebrations. Games for Halloween, by Mary E. Blain, is a collection of games, decorations, and charms from the Halloween celebrations of 1912.

One injured ex-military grump + one sassy broken ex track runner = one enemies to lovers special where deep roots are visited and mended! After a tragic accident derails Sara’s once-promising future, she returns to her small hometown to rebuild her life—only to find her old rival, Jared, has also come back. Both carrying scars of their own, Sara and Jared are thrown together as they work on Project Hope, restoring a historic home into a community haven. But as the walls come down around the house, the barriers between their hearts start to crumble, too. With a sassy back-and-forth that ...

America is hopelessly divided, but more worryingly, the ideas and “mystic chords of memory” that rest at the cornerstone of our civilization and bind the generations are being severed, attacked, and forgotten. The left has set out to shatter these bonds with a war on American history - the fundamental concepts, institutions, and icons that make our country what it is. And we have failed to protect our history, allowing Hollywood, educators, and the media to rewrite the story of America. We have ignored the invaluable lessons of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

This book is a collection of essays grouped into chapters, each offering insights into the step-by-step evolution of Halloween, starting right from its earliest historical origins. The book takes us on a journey through time, uncovering the various stages that led to the creation of the Halloween we know today.

A Vintage medley of spooky fascination and fun for every grown-up who still thrills to the sight of carved pumpkins, straw witches and the eerie promise of a full, golden moon crowning a crisp October night! In Ruth Edna Kelley's The Book of Halloween, you'll discover the roots of our modern Halloween holiday in the religious and cultural traditions of the ancient Celts, Irish, Scots, Welsh, Britons, Germans and other Peoples of Old Europe.

Blythe has accepted her fate and is tired of running. Who would miss her anyway? She attends her new and eccentric town’s month long Halloween masquerade for one last party before meeting her end. But what will she find...and what will find her?

This book contains 101 bite-sized horror stories that are intended to scare and unsettle you. These are real peoples' accounts of the creepy and the occult - of their near-misses with madmen and paranormal entities. Each chapter is a short, stand alone campfire tale, a retelling of a frightening or gruesome incident that has stuck with the teller, something that gives them pause to this day when they find themselves alone in the dark. These stories have been collected with the knowledge that real life is scarier than fiction.

What do bonfires, black cats, sexy nurses, and soul cakes have in common? They all live inside Halloween — a holiday that’s part ancient ritual, part capitalist fever dream, and all vibes. In Trick or Treat: A Spooky Little Halloween History, JJ unwraps the strange evolution of October 31st — from Celtic bonfire nights and Catholic ghost cleanups to suburban mischief, horror movies, and candy-fueled chaos. This is not your average history book. It’s a sharp and slightly haunted walkthrough of one of humanity’s weirdest, most wonderful traditions.

Earl wanted to stop the Halloween Hayride. Someone ran him over with it. Can the Hayride get back on track before Halloween is ruined? Tessa is back in her hometown, picking up the pieces of her life as a young widow. Besides passing the time by working at the B&B that her parents own, Tessa joined the Halloween Hayride Committee to help give back to her small town. Plans are going great but then Earl whisks into town, threatening to shut down the beloved Hayride and someone takes it upon themselves to run him down with the tractor. Now Tessa’s gotten herself tangled up in the mess, ...

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY New York Times Christian Science Monitor NPR Seattle Times St. Louis Dispatch National Book Critics Circle Finalist -- American Library Association Notable Book A thrilling and revelatory narrative of one of the most epic and...

Three great tales, packed with magic, mystery, and terror. CASE OF THE DARK MASTER A new kind of weapon strikes London a deadly blow. It sucks everything into a vortex, leaving only a crater behind. An unthinkable weapon, it must be stopped! Even Captain Nemo and his famous Nautilus are drawn into a supernatural conflict that has an undercurrent of being run by an old enemy of Sherlock Holmes. Can Holmes and his companions discover the truth behind the weapon and who made it before it's too late to save London? RULES OF DARKNESS What is the dark secret of the Count’s castle and how will ...

Strang isn’t the small, quaint town it appears to be. It’s haunted every night by a creature the townsfolk refer to as Halloween. Once the sun sets each day, Halloween emerges to collect its treats: a small, live offering from each household. The residents comply because no one wants to be the target of Halloween’s tricks.

Ready to make this Halloween your most unforgettable yet? Spooktacular: The Ultimate Guide to Halloween is packed with everything you need to create a hauntingly good time for kids and adults alike! Whether you're hosting a spine-chilling bash, looking for creative costume ideas, or simply want to dive into the magical world of Halloween, this guide is here to make your celebration truly spectacular. Unearth the fascinating history of Halloween, tracing its roots back to ancient traditions and learning how this spooky holiday evolved into the beloved celebration it is today. Discover ...

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the #1 national bestseller Cleopatra unpacks the mystery of the Salem Witch Trials. “The Witches is the fullest and finest story ever told about Salem in 1692, and no one else could tell it with the otherworldly flair of Stacy Schiff.” ―Joseph J. Ellis...

NATIONAL BESTSELLER The most famous true crime novel of all time "chills the blood and exercises the intelligence" (The New York Review of Books)—and haunted its author long after he finished writing it. On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the...

“Ever since the spectacular success of Chang’s Wild Swans we have waited impatiently for her to complete with her husband this monumental study of China’s most notorious modern leader. The expectation has been that she would rewrite modern Chinese history. The wait has been worthwhile and...