Flip-through of Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain: 50th Anniversary of rare book.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic book ‘Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain’ which was published by the Readers’ Digest Association in 1973. In this video, I provide a detailed review and flip-through of this much-celebrated treasure trove of British folklore. I take you through each section of the book, discussing legends such as ‘The Hexham Heads’ and the Pendle Witches. And I explore the rich contexts provided by the book on the world of Nature, ghosts, witches, old gods, giants, and mythical beasts. From the folklore of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Glastonbury and Lancashire to legends of Scotland and Wales, this book delves into Britain’s Celtic mythology and further afield.

If you like folklore, myth and legends, you’ll love this book. And for those with a particular interest in British folklore, this book is an absolute must have.

Chapters:
00:00-00:21 Intro
00:22-02:04 Overview of the book
02:05-02:59 Table of Contents and Contributors
03:00-05:21 The book’s introduction: The Legend of the Hexham Heads
05:22-06:20 Intro to Part One: Lore of Britain
06:21-10:21 The Mysterious World of Nature
10:22-14:57 Life, Love and Work
14:58-16:32 Gods, ghosts and witches.
16:33- 21:39 Part Two: the Romance of Britain: A regional guide to Britain’s folklore
21:40-22:54 Part Three: People of Myth
22:55-24:42 How to obtain the book and recommended cheaper alternatives

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[ruthduarte]

I have this book & I absolutely love it ❤
I remember looking at the book as a young child & it definitely both scared me and intrigued me.

[buffplums]

10:25 The paintings in the life love and work section were amazing, the one at this point is so detailed and the one over the page showing the blacksmith in his forge and the mother and her baby, incredible detail and beautiful skilful painting.

[buffplums]

We had this book back in 73 and it had me captivated right away. My sister ended up with our copy when my dad died so I went and bought another one of EBay but it doesn’t me £80 but worth every penny.

Every picture used to really fascinate me and I loved the regional sections where you could find out where some of the hauntings, local traditions and curious characters cam from. Absolutely fired my imagination and I believe it has given me a sense of identity of a modern day Britain and Englishman. I absolutely agree with everything you have said xx

[Nicki_uk]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It brought back fond memories of visiting my grandparents on a Sunday in the 1980s, laying on the livingroom floor or curling up in an armchair reading this books when I was a child. The cover always scared me, but the stories within were worth those few moments of fear.

[jameswight]

New to your channel. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I remember this book well from my childhood. I have to say though, I always felt it had quite a spooky vibe to it that left me a little uneasy. Probably just my imagination as a child, but that cover didn’t help.

[kellydepol]

This book was my first ever love affair with books.my uncle lent me it at a very young age and i felt scared, intrigued when the book was placed on my lap.as i was so young the book looked massive and very heavy.It started my obsession with the paranormal and myths of u.k..when i got older, i was given the book to my delight it also gave me the idea to save up fr a van and lived in the van and travelled around the whoke of England. And had this book as my guide.my map.my everything.

[lolly]

Thanks so much for sharing this book. Fascinating to dip in and out of… what a rich folkloric history history we have!

[lindaashford]

I have this book somewhere but I can’t find it since moving house 😢. I want to find the picture in the fairy section where all the fairies and elementals are lying on the tree boughs, it’s a mainly green picture and I’m sure text says the best time to see fairies is Midsummer Eve - which is tonight! Any chance anyone can tell me the artist and/or share a shot of the picture please - whilst I hunt for my old book. Thanks so much ❤

[buffplums]

I remember there was a section on spells and the one that interested me most was the one that would make a woman who came past your threshold take off her clothes and dance naked… I was mist disappointed to find out you had to obtain the “members” of some beasts and boil it all down the give it to the girl to drinke then when she passed your threshold she

[_kralc_]

Well worth watching, very informative.👍

[Dawne]

I was scrolling through eBay and saw that this book was selling for silly money and was gobsmacked as i have a copy collecting dust on my bookcase. I was 8 when my dad bought me this book, and I read it back to front over and over again, scaring myself witless. I never thought for one moment that it would be so collectible.

[brandyjean]

So it touches on many things...
A good introduction to this knowledge.

[JuliaToptoTaildoggrooming]

Really interesting stuff thank you for posting this ❤

[kellydepol]

Thank you so much for this read through. Because this book was stolen from me.and ive tried finding the 1973 edition what was the one i had

[lindaashford]

I also have the sister book Strange Stories and Amazing Facts, that is next to me now .. just wish I could put my hands on Folklore

[jimmywormholes]

WormHolT LibrarY EarlY To Mid 1970S The WiTche (Librarian) Would LeaVe ThiS For ME In The MYTholoGY/UneXplained ShelVeS In The ChildrenS Room Of WormHolT