Boo!

'...sure to be a hit, whether for Halloween or any old time.' – Booklist Join this fascinating thrill‑ride to discover everything you ever wanted to know about fear, but were too afraid to ask.   What are you afraid of? Maybe it’s heights, public speaking, spiders or the things that go bump in the night. Whatever makes your stomach flip, have you ever wondered why it affects you so much? Boo! answers that question and many more.    Across thirteen chapters discover:  Historical figures with surprising phobias, such as Emperor Augustus and his fear of lightning.  Some of the eeriest real‑life hauntings ever reported, from the ghostly Roman legions of York’s Treasurer’s House to the vengeful spirits of Ireland’s Leap Castle.  The long history of telling scary stories, with tips on how to craft your own featuring insights and quotes from some of the best storytellers.  How your favourite horror films work, and the techniques that make them so effective.  Some of the most common modern fears, from FOMO to everyday anxiety.  Clear, practical advice for identifying, managing and overcoming your fears, helping you build confidence in day‑to‑day life.  From the depths of the human brain to the voices from beyond the grave, and tackling the fears familiar to us all, Boo! is a must-have guide to this endlessly interesting yet little understood topic.    Whether you're after a dose of psychology, pop-culture, folklore, mental wellbeing tips or just a good old-fashioned scare, this is the book for you!