The Haunted History of Halloween explores the development of Halloween, from its prehistoric Celtic origins to its startling rise in popularity around the world in the twenty-first century. Norman is a skilled author of horror short stories, and her nonfiction works exhibit the same ability to captivate readers and keep them turning the pages. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of this widely misunderstood phenomenon. It wonders how celebrations as disparate as the Celtic Samhain and the Catholic Holy Days of All Saints and All Souls could have merged to create the current Halloween while providing an interesting summary of how Halloween has expanded over the world. The holiday was revived in the United States, where dressing up and the "trick or treat" practice developed new traditions, drawing inspiration from similar but separate celebrations in Central America, particularly Mexico's Day of the Dead. Also, the author explores the significance of Halloween in the context of its rising global popularity, taking us on a journey from the spectacular to the macabre. This makes it a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the origins of this contemporary holiday behind the mask. Full of historical nuggets and strange folklore, Norman's Booo! It's Halloween: The Haunted History of Halloween is the perfect bible for all devoted disciples of the holiday. Blair Norman provides us with an endearing, unsettling, perceptive, and utterly interesting history of Halloween. It's a delightful combination of pop culture knowledge and cultural history to read! Click the "Add to Cart" button!