Strange Survivals: Some Chapters in the History of Man

Step into a world where everyday life once teetered on the edge of the uncanny. The book gathers dozens of odd customs, superstitions and folk legends that have shaped the way people behaved for centuries—whether it was the dread of being the first to cross a newly built bridge, the belief that the inaugural baptism in a fresh church could seal a child's fate, or the whispered pacts between architects and unseen forces. Each tale is presented with the care of a historian and the vividness of a storyteller, inviting listeners to glimpse the strange logic that guided past generations.

From Yorkshire blacksmiths fearing a lethal christening to German castles allegedly raised in a single night by a devilish bargain, the collection spans northern Europe’s most curious myths. Along the way, the author weaves together anecdotes about cursed doors, enchanted wolves, and the symbolic cock that saved a town from a demonic claim. The result is a lively portrait of humanity’s perennial dance with the mysterious, perfect for anyone who loves a good, thought‑provoking legend.