The Lore of the Forest

by Alexander Porteous

Sacred Groves and Tree Nymphs, Yule Logs and Divining Rods, Wild Huntsmen and Wood-Wives . . . Delve into an enchanting exploration of the magic and mystery of forest realms in this scholarly and highly readable work. Fact and fable sit side by side with snippets of Shakespeare and ancient legend to create a mythology of the woods throughout human history. Since its original publication in 1928, this lively guide to the folklore of the forest around the world has also appeared under such titles as The Forest in Folklore and Mythology and Forest Folklore, Mythology and Romance. It has become a beloved sourcebook and reference guide for environmentalists, anthropologists, Wiccans, and nature lovers alike. AUTHOR BIO: Scottish author ALEXANDER PORTEOUS was a professor of philosophy whose work appeared in various philosophical journals, which include The Town Council Seals of Scotland; Historical, Legendary and Heraldic (1906) and The History of Crieff from the Earliest Times to the Dawn of the Twentieth Century (1912).

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, Folklore

324 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

Reviews

[Lis - The Indigo Quill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for solid information about this book was a little difficult, as it's listed under multiple publication dates and titles. To set the record straight, it's original publication was in 1928 by Scottish author Alexander Porteous. You may also find it under the titles, "The Forest in Folklore and Mythology" (2001) and "Forest Folklore, Mythology and Romance" (2006).

For enthusiasts and scholars interested in the origins of folklore, this lovely compendium of history's most mystical tales emerge from the depths of the forest. The stories surround the lore of trees and the importance they've held to cultures of the past. Trees have often been viewed with reverence, fear, and mystery while upholding various roles within the spirituality of people.

This isn't an exegesis of myth, it is a comprehensive collection. The stories are short and disconnected, some more rounded than others. Also, keep in mind this title was written in the 1920s; it's delivered in old-English and directed toward a European-American audience. At times it may seem dry, but I did not pick this book up for any other reason than curiosity, so I enjoyed every moment of it.

[Christian Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lore of the Forest is a gem, albeit an unfaceted one. It's written in 1928, and the language is a charming mix of modern English and archaic words, but lo and behold, the wonders inside. Brimming with knowledge of everything weird, arcane, mythological, divine and creepy about the forest and its denizens, every page offers up a new tidbit of knowledge or weirdness, you've never heard before. It only gets 4 stars due to the very limited scope when it comes to Asian and African knowledge, and the structure of the book is on the haphazard side.

[Dallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to see some of the bits and pieces from all over that would reference such similar beings and the fact that they even mention how Christianity was unable to drive out some beliefs people held despite efforts to erase any previous religion/worship