The World's Most Fantastic Freaks

by Mike Parker

Pictures included: The Three Legged Man, Four Legged Woman, Elephant Man, Siamese Twins, Bearded Ladies, Midgets and Dwarfs, Limbless Wonder Giants, Fantastic Fatties, Feral CHildren, Strongmen and StrongWoman, and more

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Trivia, Biography

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Steven Godin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with an equal amount of wonder, shock, and sadness. The book opens with probably the most familiar of all the human beings born with serious deformities—Joseph Carey Merrick. Brought back memories of seeing David Lynch's The Elepahnt Man for the first time. And yes, fighting back tears at the end. I suppose it's those I hadn't heard of, or knew very little about that were the most interesting; including the professional wrestler Maurice Tillet (The French Angel), who was struck down with a terrible case of acromegaly in his twenties, and the faceless child, Alice, who was born in Knoxville with a rare birth defect called bilateral cleft face (eyelids on the side of her face, no eyes, no nose, small holes for mouth). Thankfully, this is one that came without a photo. After eleven painstakingly delicate operations though, her future was at least less unthinkable thanks to the pioneering advances in surgical procedures. There are also the very tall, the very short, the seriously hairy, children of the wild—one being Gazelle Boy, siamese twins, hunchbacks, human fireballs—spontaneous human combustion, and those with horns and tails. The book also looks at those who were not affected physically on the outside, but rather from within: the mind and memory. Including two twins, Greta & Freda Chaplin, who were totally insync through mind, body, emotions and behaviour. Though there are a good number of photos/pictures, and drawings, the book is still made up largely of text, with details and facts, some of which, were simply mindblowing. A really fascinating book!

[Nick Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining book. It highlights just what can go wrong with the human body...and boy can it go wrong! Some of the lives of the individuals cited in this book must have been tragic, but at the same time many sufferers of debilitating conditions showed great human spirit. I think it also shows clearly how misunderstood people's ailments were and, in some cases, still are.
Please don't be offended by the title. "Freak" is not a nice word, but these books are supposed to be in the style of tabloids.

[Lex Cillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

I thought this book was written in the early 1930's based on the word choice about disfigurement and disability. Nope, it was written in 1989. I thought "cripple" was considered an unacceptable word a long time before then but apparently not.

[Kokoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo tengo en español (Edivision). Es un libro introductorio, aunque con alguna mala elección de palabras aqui y allá pero bueno, fue escrito en 1984.

[J]

time capsule of mean 1980s perversity, I think I had this when I was a kid! hook this trash to my veinssss

[Kait Leeming · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW for Archaic language esp. re disability & difference

Warning:This book was written in 1989 and quotes original sources from previous centuries which makes this quite uncomfortable reading at times.

This is a collection of true, if sensationalised, tales of human anomalies. It’s horrifying and heartbreaking in equal measure to see how the people behind the peep show and circus staple acts have been treated throughout history. From ‘bearded ladies’ to conjoined twins, people with limb differences and those with extreme height differences - this book tells the stories of the most famous, the most tragic and the most humbling of the freak show performers and entertainers using their disabilities and differences to make a living in a hostile society.

It requires a lot of critical thinking to create the depth of compassion and empathy required outside of the context in which it was written and so I’d never describe it as a ‘good’ book but it is interesting and gives an awful lot to think about regarding how we treat our people.

[CedarMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically this book is just a bit of fun. Being transported back to a time when it was okay to look, stare and take enjoyment from others discomfort and misfortune.

In saying that i lived the story of Helen Keller. And it disturbed me to learn, at the height of freak-show madness, the atrocities, removal of basic civil rights, inhumane treatment, and finally abuse that these people endured. Some were children, born perfect in body and mind, sold off when babies, who endured treatment that twisted their bodies and souls.

In saying that; others, natural or medical marvels rocked their freakness, achieving Rock Star status and wealth because they are, in the words of Lady Gaga "Born That Way"

Definitely worth a read, as its a time gone. And people that should be remembered.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inhumane treatment of children and people randomly becoming a fireball are some of the many oddball, slightly disturbing allegories of freakshow stars and grossly deformed midgets around. The World's Most Fantastic Freaks is worth a peek (excuse the pun) but have a strong stomach, for the pictures and accounts are rather sickening at times (especially the tale of the Monster Makers, a group who would kidnap healthy children and terrifyingly, deform them so they could be sold.).

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Educational to say the least. I enjoyed reading about the many different people and conditions that have affected our fellow people. Its also interesting to realise how far we have come with medical advances, medication and treatment. Once upon a time these conditions were life sentences, and amusement in circuses; now people can be treated and have surgery to aid. Would have appreciated more photos of the persons mentioned in the book, but I suppose that is what google is for.

[Cameron P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've grown to know and love all of these freaks as though they were siblings. Used to keep this book in my desk at Intermediate and now it sits on my bookshelf in mint condition.

[Peccary Rose]

This book is very interesting.