Book excerpt: An enlightening examination of common superstitions and their fascinating origins in history, myth, and ancient religion. Superstitions represent some of humanity’s earliest attempts to make sense of a dangerous and often incomprehensible world. Even ideas that seem innocuous today, like “getting up on the wrong side of the bed,” have their origins in beliefs and practices of vital importance. In Every Man’s Book of Superstitions, English historian Christine Chaundler explores enduring ideas about luck, magic, astrology, portentous symbols, and more. She also looks at superstitions related to illness, animals, mealtimes, special occasions, specific professions, and so on.