David Pickering's [b:The Cassell Dictionary of Folklore|1646413|The Cassell Dictionary of Folklore|David Pickering|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187372901s/1646413.jpg|1640849] would have been a good, perhaps even a great general reference book on world folklore if the author had decided to include a bibliography, or if he had provided even some bibliographical sources and references for the sections, the diverse articles presented. The way the book is set up, with no notes, no bibliography, no suggestions for further reading, there is really no way for a reader, especially for a reader with only a casual interest in and general knowledge of folklore to check, to verify wether the information included is correct, is acceptable (for example, I know from pervious research that some of the information presented by David Pickering in the section concerning the German celebration of "Fastnacht" is likely somewhat incorrect, but other readers might not be aware of that fact, and there is no way to check the author's sources if he does not list them, if he does not provide a bibliography). The book is quite interesting (and fun to browse), and I do on occasion make use of it. However, from an academic perspective, [b:The Cassell Dictionary of Folklore|1646413|The Cassell Dictionary of Folklore|David Pickering|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187372901s/1646413.jpg|1640849]'s lack of any type of bibliography or secondary sources makes it academically suspect (and that is putting it mildly, I actually consider it quite academically dishonest for encyclopedias, for non-fiction reference books to not provide bibliographical material). ( )

Book Description: Cassell London, England 1999. First UK edition Hardcover w/ dust jacket and mylar sleeve, large 8vo, x 324 pp, near fine condition, brown cloth, gilt title, etc. to spine, brown dust jacket, 1st Edition Hardcover Mint, dj 324pp.