The Stories Behind Halloween Traditions

When the calendar flips to October and a crisp chill falls over neighborhoods, a delightfully wicked energy hangs in the air. There are so many reasons to look forward to Halloween and its time-honored traditions—a brew of culture, cosplay and candy corn—all enlivening one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. But there’s more to the story than little goblins and full-grown ghouls ringing doorbells and parading for sweets. The history of the holiday is ancient and, in some cases, legitimately scary. If you love Halloween—and come on, who doesn’t?—this is the book for you.