Bob Pegg's book, succinctly titled, not only summarizes many aspects of the history of English folklore studies (more exciting than it sounds, especially when he examines erotic folksong), but also offers unique insights into his own fieldwork in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1960s.
When the book was published the ideas about erotic folksong - inspired by the work of the great American folklorist Gershon Legman - caused some considerable upset, though today they seem very tame.
Some of the ideas in this book are very 19th century. For a partial redress of these crimes against the intellect, see the author's later publication, Rites and Riots (Wildwood House, 1981)for a more contemporary viewpoint.
