James Grant, a 19th-century archaeologist, didn't write a novel with a single plot. Instead, he compiled a massive survey of global folklore, superstition, and what people once considered magic. The book travels from ancient Egypt to the Scottish Highlands, gathering stories about witches, omens, haunted places, and strange customs. It's less about solving a mystery and more about documenting the incredible variety of human belief.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a goldmine for the curious. Grant writes with the excitement of a collector showing off his strangest finds. You'll read about love potions, weather magic, and beliefs about the dead that feel both alien and strangely familiar. It’s a reminder that the need to explain the unknown is a powerful, shared human trait. The characters here are entire civilizations, and their stories reveal how they made sense of a confusing world.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who like their facts served with a side of the supernatural, or for anyone who loves a good 'did you know?' conversation starter. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but a book to dip in and out of, each chapter offering a glimpse into a different corner of our collective imagination. If you’ve ever looked at an old tradition and thought, 'Why on earth did they do that?'—this book has your answers.