Karl Bell
@karlbell.bsky.social
Historian. Author. Associate Prof of Cultural History @uophistory.bsky.social C19th fantastical, supernatural folklore, Gothic cities & seas. Co-director of port.ac.uk/portcities The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic (Reaktion) out now.
Pinned
Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea
Public lecture: The real life lessons from supernatural stories of the sea.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Join me for 'Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea', a public talk @ Portsmouth University on 3rd February (5.30-7 pm). It is free, but you need to book a place @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Karl Bell
Great to be working on the new @uophistory.bsky.social 2nd year module 'Age of Crisis'!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Great to be working on the new @uophistory.bsky.social 2nd year module 'Age of Crisis'!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
Had a good team meeting yesterday, with the excellent @robtjames.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social & @drmseiter.bsky.social. It's a pleasure to co-teach with them - we've got lots to share with our students!
Many thanks, Jack - that's very much appreciated!
"Uncanny folklore linking seafarers across time."
Today's book pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to author @karlbell.bsky.social & @reaktionbooks.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Today's book pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to author @karlbell.bsky.social & @reaktionbooks.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
October 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Many thanks, Jack - that's very much appreciated!
Nice to see my Supernatural Cities book included in @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social's blog on 6 books to read on myth, legend and the supernatural - boydellandbrewer.com/blog/medieva... It was a pleasure to edit this rich compendium of essays about urban #folklore and #hauntings in the modern world.
6 Books to Read on: Myths, Legends and the Supernatural
From the legend of Robin Hood to Scotland's ghostly reputation, take a look at these 6 books that explore the supernatural side of history.
boydellandbrewer.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Nice to see my Supernatural Cities book included in @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social's blog on 6 books to read on myth, legend and the supernatural - boydellandbrewer.com/blog/medieva... It was a pleasure to edit this rich compendium of essays about urban #folklore and #hauntings in the modern world.
Reposted by Karl Bell
Finished reading The Perilous Deep by @karlbell.bsky.social
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
October 28, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Finished reading The Perilous Deep by @karlbell.bsky.social
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
I enjoyed it. Highly recommend it if you wanna learn some ocean related lore and superstitions. And also get some movie recommendations.
Join me for 'Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea', a public talk @ Portsmouth University on 3rd February (5.30-7 pm). It is free, but you need to book a place @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea
Public lecture: The real life lessons from supernatural stories of the sea.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Join me for 'Tidal Terrors: Folklore and Supernatural Storytelling at Sea', a public talk @ Portsmouth University on 3rd February (5.30-7 pm). It is free, but you need to book a place @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tidal-terr...
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
@uopmaritime.bsky.social @uophistory.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Ghosts and the Gothic (MUP) is out now - manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526181916/ Very pleased to have my chapter on nautical hauntings included as part of this exciting edited collection. Many thanks to @ruthheholt.bsky.social and @joparsons.bsky.social
Manchester University Press - Ghosts and the Gothic
Ghosts and the Gothic - Browse and buy the eBook edition of Ghosts and the Gothic by Ruth Heholt
manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Ghosts and the Gothic (MUP) is out now - manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526181916/ Very pleased to have my chapter on nautical hauntings included as part of this exciting edited collection. Many thanks to @ruthheholt.bsky.social and @joparsons.bsky.social
Delighted to be involved in developing future collaborations between Royal Museums Greenwich, and @uopmaritime.bsky.social - www.port.ac.uk/news-events-... Really enjoyed the research workshop at the National Maritime Museum last week. #maritimehistory #research #heritage
University of Portsmouth joins forces with Royal Museums Greenwich
A new collaboration has been formed between Portsmouth’s Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures and Royal Museums Greenwich with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
www.port.ac.uk
September 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Delighted to be involved in developing future collaborations between Royal Museums Greenwich, and @uopmaritime.bsky.social - www.port.ac.uk/news-events-... Really enjoyed the research workshop at the National Maritime Museum last week. #maritimehistory #research #heritage
Reposted by Karl Bell
An extensive account of an otherworldly ocean. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/t... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social #booksky
The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic | Washington Independent Review of Books
The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.
www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
An extensive account of an otherworldly ocean. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/t... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social @karlbell.bsky.social #booksky
Reposted by Karl Bell
Entering perhaps the best season in which to read Karl Bell's superbly entertaining 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic' (which I had the pleasure of editing for
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
September 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Entering perhaps the best season in which to read Karl Bell's superbly entertaining 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic' (which I had the pleasure of editing for
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
@reaktionbooks.bsky.social.)
Karl previously won the Katharine Briggs Award.
Great to see 'When Summer Meant Sea Serpents' published in September's issue of @historytoday.com - www.historytoday.com/archive/hist... For more on the history of sea serpents see my new book, The Perilous Deep reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
When Summer Meant Sea Serpents
www.historytoday.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Great to see 'When Summer Meant Sea Serpents' published in September's issue of @historytoday.com - www.historytoday.com/archive/hist... For more on the history of sea serpents see my new book, The Perilous Deep reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
My recent @uophistory.bsky.social blog offers some reflections on the aims and challenges of writing The Perilous Deep - history.port.ac.uk?p=3500 @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #maritimehistory #folklore
Charting The Perilous Deep
Below, our own Karl Bell, Associate Professor in Cultural and Social History, writes about his exciting new book on the supernatural legends associated with the seafarers of the Atlantic Ocean. Ka…
history.port.ac.uk
August 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
My recent @uophistory.bsky.social blog offers some reflections on the aims and challenges of writing The Perilous Deep - history.port.ac.uk?p=3500 @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #maritimehistory #folklore
Reposted by Karl Bell
Podcast Wednesday! Episode 137 - Karl Bell - The Perilous Deep @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Writing #Books #Paranormal #Ghosts #Monsters
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
Episode 137 - Karl Bell - The Perilous Deep
Podcast Episode · Some Other Sphere · 30/07/2025 · 1h 3m
podcasts.apple.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Podcast Wednesday! Episode 137 - Karl Bell - The Perilous Deep @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Writing #Books #Paranormal #Ghosts #Monsters
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
Many thanks for the opportunity to talk about The Perilous Deep on the @uopmaritime.bsky.social #podcast.
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
Maritime folklore, the supernatural and more. Listen to @karlbell.bsky.social talk about his new book The Perilous Deep (@reaktionbooks.bsky.social) in the latest episode of @uopmaritime.bsky.social's podcast series
www.port.ac.uk/podcasts/por... . Also learn about courses @uophistory.bsky.social.
www.port.ac.uk/podcasts/por... . Also learn about courses @uophistory.bsky.social.
Dr Karl Bell discusses The Perilous Deep - his new book about the supernatural history of the Atlantic
www.port.ac.uk
July 29, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Many thanks for the opportunity to talk about The Perilous Deep on the @uopmaritime.bsky.social #podcast.
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
An enjoyable discussion that also covered our @lr-foundation.bsky.social-funded 'sail to steam, carbon to green' research project and Portsmouth Uni courses including the MA Victorian Gothic 👇
Reposted by Karl Bell
Fascinating blog post by @karlbell.bsky.social for @theconversationuk.bsky.social about his book The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic.
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
July 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Fascinating blog post by @karlbell.bsky.social for @theconversationuk.bsky.social about his book The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic.
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
Karl will discuss the book in the next Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast. Check out earlier episodes www.port.ac.uk/news-events-...
Reposted by Karl Bell
Update from Sphere HQ: Episode 137 is out next week! My guest is author and historian Karl Bell, who joined me to talk about his new book 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic'. Available Wednesday! @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Paranormal
July 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Update from Sphere HQ: Episode 137 is out next week! My guest is author and historian Karl Bell, who joined me to talk about his new book 'The Perilous Deep: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic'. Available Wednesday! @karlbell.bsky.social @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #Podcast #History #Paranormal
Reposted by Karl Bell
After a mere seven years in the making, The Cultural History of Magic is finally here!!
July 22, 2025 at 12:14 AM
After a mere seven years in the making, The Cultural History of Magic is finally here!!
Just published a new piece for @uk.theconversation.com - 'The 19th-century maritime superstitions that were believed to protect men at sea' theconversation.com/the-19th-cen...
For more on this, see reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #folklore #history
For more on this, see reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #folklore #history
The 19th-century maritime superstitions that were believed to protect men at sea
Whistling on a ship was taboo in the 18th century as it was believed to stir the winds.
theconversation.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Just published a new piece for @uk.theconversation.com - 'The 19th-century maritime superstitions that were believed to protect men at sea' theconversation.com/the-19th-cen...
For more on this, see reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #folklore #history
For more on this, see reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... @reaktionbooks.bsky.social #folklore #history
Pleasantly surprised to discover The Perilous Deep in the nautical-themed window display @ Falmouth Bookseller. Many thanks www.falmouth-bookseller.co.uk! #independentbookshops #indybookshops
July 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Pleasantly surprised to discover The Perilous Deep in the nautical-themed window display @ Falmouth Bookseller. Many thanks www.falmouth-bookseller.co.uk! #independentbookshops #indybookshops
Reposted by Karl Bell
I’ve just finished reading THE PERILOUS DEEP: A supernatural history of the Atlantic from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
A review will go on the website soon, but in short it’s highly recommended!
@karlbell.bsky.social drop me an email or message if you’d like to chat about the subject on the podcast
A review will go on the website soon, but in short it’s highly recommended!
@karlbell.bsky.social drop me an email or message if you’d like to chat about the subject on the podcast
July 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I’ve just finished reading THE PERILOUS DEEP: A supernatural history of the Atlantic from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
A review will go on the website soon, but in short it’s highly recommended!
@karlbell.bsky.social drop me an email or message if you’d like to chat about the subject on the podcast
A review will go on the website soon, but in short it’s highly recommended!
@karlbell.bsky.social drop me an email or message if you’d like to chat about the subject on the podcast
It is The Perilous Deep's publication day in the UK. Many thanks to everyone @reaktionbooks.bsky.social - I've really enjoyed working with you all on this reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... The book will be published in North America in September. #folklore #history #monsters #ghosts #magic
July 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM
It is The Perilous Deep's publication day in the UK. Many thanks to everyone @reaktionbooks.bsky.social - I've really enjoyed working with you all on this reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/the-per... The book will be published in North America in September. #folklore #history #monsters #ghosts #magic
Reposted by Karl Bell
Currently freed from my TBR pile is this book on maritime folklore by @karlbell.bsky.social which is published next month by @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Partway in, this is an extensive and accessible collection which I’m really enjoying. There will be a full review and feature later
Partway in, this is an extensive and accessible collection which I’m really enjoying. There will be a full review and feature later
June 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Currently freed from my TBR pile is this book on maritime folklore by @karlbell.bsky.social which is published next month by @reaktionbooks.bsky.social
Partway in, this is an extensive and accessible collection which I’m really enjoying. There will be a full review and feature later
Partway in, this is an extensive and accessible collection which I’m really enjoying. There will be a full review and feature later
Looking forward to giving this online talk on seafaring and fear of the sea this evening (7 pm start, GMT) - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seafarers-...
Tickets going fast. All money raised goes towards supporting the excellent work of the @folkloresociety.bsky.social #maritime #folklore
Tickets going fast. All money raised goes towards supporting the excellent work of the @folkloresociety.bsky.social #maritime #folklore
Seafarers and Sea Fearing: Nineteenth-Century Maritime Folklore
Maritime folklore in the Steam Age. How did 19th-century seafarers use magic, observances, and omens to navigate a fear of the sea?
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 20, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Looking forward to giving this online talk on seafaring and fear of the sea this evening (7 pm start, GMT) - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seafarers-...
Tickets going fast. All money raised goes towards supporting the excellent work of the @folkloresociety.bsky.social #maritime #folklore
Tickets going fast. All money raised goes towards supporting the excellent work of the @folkloresociety.bsky.social #maritime #folklore
Reposted by Karl Bell
Karl Bell @karlbell.bsky.social reviews Space(s) of the Fantastic – A 21st Century Manifesto, edited by David Punter & C. Bruna Mancini, which examines the various ways in which literary geography can be used to interpret fantastic literature.
Read for free here: fafnir.journal.fi/article/view...
Read for free here: fafnir.journal.fi/article/view...
April 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Karl Bell @karlbell.bsky.social reviews Space(s) of the Fantastic – A 21st Century Manifesto, edited by David Punter & C. Bruna Mancini, which examines the various ways in which literary geography can be used to interpret fantastic literature.
Read for free here: fafnir.journal.fi/article/view...
Read for free here: fafnir.journal.fi/article/view...
Call for papers for 'What is a Witch?' conference @yorkuniversity.bsky.social on 25th-26th June 2025. Should be a fascinating discussion. Deadline for abstracts (200-300 words) is 14th of March. For more details see royalhistsoc.org/calendar/wha...
What is a Witch? – CALL FOR PAPERS | RHS
royalhistsoc.org
February 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Call for papers for 'What is a Witch?' conference @yorkuniversity.bsky.social on 25th-26th June 2025. Should be a fascinating discussion. Deadline for abstracts (200-300 words) is 14th of March. For more details see royalhistsoc.org/calendar/wha...