The Halloween Encyclopedia, 2d ed.

April 15, 2011

In this update of the 2003 edition, Morton--a playwright, screenwriter, and fiction writer--has compiled research based on an impressive number of primary sources, both current and historical. Approximately 430 entries range in length from one paragraph to several pages and are arranged alphabetically. Entries are also cross-referenced to related subjects within the book. Two appendixes are included: "Chronology of Halloween" and "Halloween in Literature and the Arts." An extensive bibliography and an index follow (note: the index was not completed at the time of review). Illustrations are sprinkled throughout the book. Entries include both the expected ("Candy," "Jack-O'-Lantern," "Trick-or-Treat") and the unexpected ("Apple Seeds," "Eggs," "Rhyming"). Subjects seemingly unrelated to Halloween are thoughtfully examined for their relevance to the holiday. The book is notable for its inclusion of lesser-known historical festivals and celebrations from which many modern-day Halloween traditions have been derived. Readers seeking a more detailed narrative about the history of Halloween would be better served by Nicholas Rogers's Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night (Oxford Univ. Pr., 2003). BOTTOM LINE A well-written resource that will appeal to both students and adults curious about this autumnal celebration.--Jennifer Michaelson, Cleveland

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