Presents an introduction to the regional folklore of North America, examining the stories and traditions of eastern Canada, New England, the mid-Atlantic states, the Appalachian mountains, and other areas.
Presents an introduction to North American folk religion, discussing folk religion versus orthodoxy, worship and wonder, saints and angels, visions of supernatural women, conjurers and healers, and folk religion in the modern world.
Presents an introduction to North American folk songs, looking at why people sing, and discussing the lyrics and meanings of songs related to work and occupation, love, religion, protest, cowboys and convicts, the railroad, comedy, and children.
Considers the lessons to be found in North American folk proverbs and riddles, looks at their origins, and discusses their appearance in history, advertising, the health world, and other venues.
Presents an introduction to the folk medicine of North America, providing a definition of folk medicine, discussing its origins, and looking at the medicine traditions of Native Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics, and other cultures.
Presents an introduction to folklore associated with Christmas and Santa Claus, discussing the Christ child, Christmas animals, the Wise Men, holiday symbols and food, the saint of generosity, and Christmas song and sentiment.
Presents an introduction to North American folk fashion, discussing the link between fashion and identity, and looking at clothing customs, fashion and faith, color and style, work clothes, blue jeans, and the meaning of modern clothing.
Presents an introduction to North American folk arts and crafts, examining folk art as a creative response to a necessity, and looking at furniture, toys, religious icons, instruments, fabrics, and decorative arts.
