Appalachian folklore unveiled Mysterious happenings of folk spirits and mystic shades from the ancient foothills

This slight volume does a creditable job of pulling together superstitions, folk tales, spooky stories, and tales of unworldly happenings gathered from areas spanning the length of the Appalachian Mountains. Brief but informative introductory chapters offer overviews of the area's cultural history, identifying the indigenous peoples, waves of European settlers, and enslaved individuals who moved into specific locations, bringing various customs, cuisine, and spiritual beliefs. Subsequent chapters review major, recurring themes found within interpretations of omens, signs, dreams, and spectral visitors and muse about possible origins. There are lists of superstitions associated with everyday items like mirrors and brooms and detailed descriptions of various cryptids, ranging from Moon-Eyed People to Wampus Cats to the Mothman of Mason County, all presented within the context of where they're most likely to appear, what they're after, and how best to get away from them. Occasional legends and tales are woven throughout the narrative, adding to the folksy, informal tone. This specialized collection is probably best suited for local-history and comprehensive folklore collections, but beware: it does make for some pretty irresistible perusing.