Category:
Books

The Embalmed Head of Oliver Cromwell

Marc Hartzman, author of the weird classic God Made Me Do It (featured here on WU back in 2010) is back with a new journey into the bizarre — The Embalmed Head of Oliver Cromwell - A Memoir. Marc writes:

This historical fiction book follows the real history of Cromwell's head through 300 years of posthumous journeys across England (1661-1960), all told from the head's perspective. Imagined anecdotes complement the true historical notes, which include many real historical characters and events, such as the rise of Spiritualism, phrenology, the Elephant Man, surgeon John Hunter, and a lot more. 

Not only is it the first memoir of an embalmed head, but it is also, I believe, the first book to come with a theme song. It was written and performed by singer/songwriter/pianist Stephie Coplan, whose song, “Hey Oliver Cromwell!” is now available on iTunes and Spotify, and here on Soundcloud [below].

The cover was fully illustrated by Brooklyn artist Vi Luong.

More details at the publisher's site: CuriousPublications.com.


Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 20, 2015 - Comments (3)
Category: Literature, Books

The Bible Diet



The spiritual nourishment was too rich for this boy's system.

Source: Florence Morning News - Jan 9, 1926.



More in extended >>

Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 13, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Food, Religion, Books, 1920s

How the Bank Sneak Works

image

After a lifetime of crime, Harry Schindler was thoughtful enough to divulge all his tricks for the edification of bankers and other monied types.

Read the whole thing here.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 07, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Crime, Books, 1910s

Put Men in Girdles

Dr. Peter Steincrohn's 1969 book (available used on Amazon) promised to reveal how one could be "lazy, healthy, & fit." For years before he published the book, Steincrohn had also been writing newspaper columns in which he promoted his formula for health. The secret was girdles.

He felt that all men over 40, in particular, should be wearing girdles just like their wives (this was the 1960s), because he believed that girdles promoted good circulation and thus meant the heart didn't have to work as hard pumping blood. Wearing a girdle, he promised, would "add years to a man's life."


The Abilene Reporter-News - Nov 23, 1964

Posted By: Alex - Fri Feb 27, 2015 - Comments (1)
Category: Health, Books, 1960s

Thank You For Buying…

My wife noticed this posted on distractify.com and brought it to my attention. So I thought I'd share it here.

Occasionally people ask me to sign and write a note in copies of my book, and I never know what to write. But thanks to this receipt, I've now got a go-to phrase!

Posted By: Alex - Fri Feb 20, 2015 - Comments (3)
Category: Books, Alex

The Englishman Who Posted Himself



So long as Alex has brought up this theme, I thought I would reference this great book, which I reviewed at the B&N REVIEW upon its release five years ago.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Feb 15, 2015 - Comments (1)
Category: Eccentrics, Books, Europe, Postal Services

Abnormals Anonymous

This 1964 novel by Stella Gray seems appropriate for WU.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Feb 14, 2015 - Comments (4)
Category: Books, 1960s

Satanic Coloring Book

I've posted before about unusual coloring books, such as the E.F. Hutton Coloring Book and the Anti-Terrorism Coloring Book, so when a coloring book titled The Satanic Children's Big Book of Activities showed up in the news, it caught my eye.

A group called the Satanic Temple wants to hand out copies of this coloring book to children in Florida schools, arguing that Christian evangelical groups are allowed to distribute bibles and booklets in public schools, so why shouldn't they be allowed to distribute their satanic literature. Equal time for all religions, etc. Of course, there's no way in hell the school board is going to let this happen. [foxkc.com]



Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 15, 2014 - Comments (7)
Category: Religion, Books

Medical Reference Book

Handy in or out of the operating room.



Order Yours Here

Posted By: Expat47 - Wed Oct 22, 2014 - Comments (5)
Category: Surgery, Books

Your Life Work:  The Librarian



"Are books your friends?"

I don't believe the information sciences are much like this anymore.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 18, 2014 - Comments (5)
Category: Education, Books, 1940s

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Who We Are
Alex Boese
Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes.

Paul Di Filippo
Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1.

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