{"product_id":"a-season-of-madness-al-ridenour-9781627311564","title":"A Season of Madness: Fools, Monsters, and Marvels of the Old-World Carnival","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.\"\u003cem\u003e- William Blake\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eAl Ridenour, creator and host of the popular Bone \u0026amp; Sickle Podcast brings readers back to pagan Europe in \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeason of Madness\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. The book follows the sun from the darkest winter nights to the promise of nature's rebirth as symbolized by Spring. Ridenour explores the history and customs of the Old-World Carnival, focusing on European regions where celebrations have gone unchanged for centuries and reflect the brutal realities of the old, agricultural world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Season of Madness\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e takes readers to cultural hinterlands where Carnival is more strange, more marvelous, and even a bit frightening. Where Spring is welcomed by clowns carrying inflated pig bladders and sheepskin monsters walk the land with clubs covered in hedgehog spines and plows are dragged over cobblestone streets by villagers in masks painted with blood. Folk horror fans take heart as the old world beckons with the coming of Spring!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders will learn about regional and local celebrations' origins, history, and quirkiness from ancient Rome to modern Bulgaria.\u003cem\u003e Season of Madness\u003c\/em\u003e explores the interconnectivity of pagan beliefs throughout Europe and how those beliefs and traditions evolved over time and through the Christian conquest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Season of Madness\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is sumptuously illustrated with over one hundred historical and modern images and illustrations in this deluxe paperback edition. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eRidenour's first book, \u003cem\u003e \u003cb\u003eKrampus and the Old, Dark Christmas: Roots and Rebirth of the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eFolkloric Devil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (2018) is considered by critics the definitive authority on pagan winter celebrations. Aside from his books and podcast, Ridenour is a sought-after expert and lecturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Al Ridenour\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1627311564\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781627311564\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Feral House\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/18\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback","brand":"Al Ridenour","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46431498207487,"sku":"9781627311564","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_60dd18da-0143-48a6-be49-e22000b9b625.jpg?v=1735141518","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/a-season-of-madness-al-ridenour-9781627311564","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}