An indepth history of humans born with limbs and other body manifestations that are unusual, often medical phenomenons such as John Merrick, theatrically known as "The Elephant Man", Tom Thumb famous for his diminutive stature and his work with P.T. Barnum and the Barnum and Bailey Circus, humans who have excess facial hair growing to unusual lengths creating the Jo Jo the Dog Faced Boy character, the stories behind each of these individuals and many more besides. It is a fascinating look at the people behind the hype of the Circus sideshows baiting the public with wonders they have never seen before nor since. Todd Browning's fascination with amputees and all people who's anatomies make them different is discussed and how long it took Todd Browning to bring his obsession to the big screen as the film, "Freaks," which took him over 10 years to do and after flying high for bringing Bela Lugosi to movie houses as Count Dracula, Todd Browning's career was essentially over after the debacle caused by his next film, "Freaks" that critics found so disturbing that it was banned many places. The photos are often shocking but the stories behind each are so compelling this is a hard book to put down. Gripping in its appeal, the reader will want to look away but something in the psyche wants to see it and understand it, too. A very good book showing that regardless of how we look we are all people with the same needs, wants and desires and right to respect and if not cordial treatment at least respectful. Bravo! In an age of extreme bullying this book is right on time. I highly recommend this book it is an eye-opening shocker that you won't soon forget. Definetly for the non-squeamish adults out there.
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