Banvard’s Folly

I am halfway thru reading this book and can testify to its greatness, and to its allure for all WU-vies. I have already learned about so many hoaxes, weirdos and charlatans I never knew about before.

Here's how the book opens:

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 forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Comments

The book sounds like a good read, will have to find/get a copy. Having said that...I did a search for John Banvard and found this page: https://www.southdakotamagazine.com/john-banvard-brush-with-success

An interesting biography.

Posted by Steve E. on 07/01/21 at 10:10 AM

Steve E: I don't think you'll be disappointed if you grab a copy, which you can do just by clicking on the link at the end of the post. As for Banvard not being mentioned anywhere--the book in question came out in 2001, so naturally there was much less info on the nascent Web.

Posted by Paul on 07/01/21 at 11:58 AM

I remember reading this way back when it first came out. I'd definitely second the endorsement!

Posted by Alex on 07/01/21 at 02:47 PM

Given that I usually cannot seem to see what is right in front of me...I can't seem to find the link...help!

Posted by Steve E. on 07/01/21 at 06:03 PM

ISBN-10 : 0312268866
ISBN-13 : 978-0312268862
Banvard's Folly: Tales of Renowned Obscurity, Famous Anonymity, and Rotten Luck

Posted by eddi on 07/01/21 at 10:21 PM

Steve E: thanks for persisting! Perhaps the icon does not display with your browser. In any case, try this:

https://amzn.to/3dF5tsR

Posted by Paul on 07/02/21 at 11:41 AM

Thanks again Paul for a great site! Just ordered a copy.

Posted by Steve E. on 07/02/21 at 01:33 PM

WEIRD UNIVERSE would be nothing without readers like you, Steve E.!

Posted by Paul on 07/02/21 at 03:55 PM

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