{"product_id":"knock-on-wood-a-piper-langford-9798257581076","title":"Knock on Wood - A Hilariously Scientific Guide to the World's Superstitions","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy do we knock on wood, fear black cats, and avoid the number 13? Knock on Wood explores the world's strangest superstitions through science, psychology, and laugh-out-loud humor.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom ancient folklore to modern-day rituals, superstitions shape how billions of people navigate the world - even those who swear they're \"totally rational.\" This hilarious popular science book pulls back the curtain on humanity's most irrational habits and asks: why do smart people believe weird things? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside You'll Discover: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe origins of 50+ superstitions - from breaking mirrors to the evil eye, lucky horseshoes to Friday the 13th\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe real psychology behind magical thinking \u003cb\u003e- cognitive bias, pattern recognition, and the neuroscience of belief\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eCultural traditions from six continents - Japanese chopstick taboos, Turkish evil eye charms, Nigerian owl omens, Brazilian New Year rituals, and more\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhy athletes, surgeons, and Wall Street traders\u003c\/b\u003e all have lucky socks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow superstitions evolved\u003c\/b\u003e - from cave paintings to chain emails to angel numbers on TikTok\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe surprising science\u003c\/b\u003e that shows believing in luck can actually make you perform better\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cb\u003eDrawing on research from evolutionary psychology, anthropology, and behavioral science Knock on Wood is the perfect read for trivia lovers, fun fact collectors, mythology enthusiasts, and anyone who's ever thrown salt over their shoulder just in case.\u003cbr\u003eWhether you're a skeptic, a secret believer, or just someone who won't open an umbrella indoors, this book will make you laugh, think, and maybe - just maybe - knock on wood.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Piper Langford\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798257581076\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 290\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.86lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.61d","brand":"Piper Langford","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":50665435267327,"sku":"9798257581076","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/knock-on-wood-a-piper-langford-9798257581076","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}