Overview

Why 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. From 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? Inside You'll Discover: The origins of 50+ superstitions - from breaking mirrors to the evil eye, lucky horseshoes to Friday the 13th The real psychology behind magical thinking - cognitive bias, pattern recognition, and the neuroscience of belief Cultural traditions from six continents - Japanese chopstick taboos, Turkish evil eye charms, Nigerian owl omens, Brazilian New Year rituals, and more Why athletes, surgeons, and Wall Street traders all have lucky socks How superstitions evolved - from cave paintings to chain emails to angel numbers on TikTok The surprising science that shows believing in luck can actually make you perform better Drawing 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. Whether 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.

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