Freaks: We Who Are Not As Others
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Book Overview
History. Cultural studies. Another long out-of-print classic book based on Mannix's personal acquaintence with sideshow stars such as the Alligator Man and the Monkey Woman, etc. Read all about the notorious love affairs of midgets; the amazing story of the elephant boy; the unusual amours of Jolly Daisy, the fat woman; the famous pinhead who inspired Verdi's RIGOLETTO; the tragedy of Betty Lou Williams and her parasitic twin; the black midget, only 34 inches tall, who was happily married to a 264-pound wife; the human torso who could sew, crochet and type; and bizarre accounts of normal humans turned into freaks -- either voluntarily or by evil design! 88 astounding photographs and additional material from the author's personal collection. RE/search has provided us with a moving glimpse at the rarified world of physical deformity; aglimpse that ultimately succeeds in its goal of humanizing the inhuman, revealing the beauty that lies behind the grotesque and in dramatically illustrating the triumph of the human spirit in th
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0940642204
ISBN13:9780940642201
Release Date:January 1976
Publisher:RE/Search Publications
Length:120 Pages
Weight:0.95 lbs.
Dimensions:11.0" x 8.5" x 0.3"
Related Subjects
Americas Disability Disabled Education & Reference Fiction Health, Fitness & Dieting Health, Fitness & Dieting History Humor & Entertainment Literature & Fiction Medical Medical Books Performing Arts Politics & Social Sciences Psychology & Counseling Reference Social Science Social Sciences Specialties Specific DemographicsCustomer Reviews
4 ratings
fascinating and heartfelt
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
i read this book in one day. it was that much of a page-turner. mannix introduces his reader to freaks of every nature. this book is more of a personal account of their lives, rather than a historical or scientific one (although it touches gently on those aspects). mannix lets his reader look into the lives of percilla the "monkey woman", myrtle corbin the "4-legged woman", emmett the "alligator man", "happy jack eckert", and countless others. this book is a must-read!
A tender look at sideshow attractions
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
It is easy to assume that this book is going to be a kind of titillating exploitative look at freaks, but that is not what it is at all. Mannix draws from his extensive carnie experience to create a tender and even sweet look at people who were not like others around them. Mannix is clearly fueled by anger that political correctness has deprived these people of their means of earning a living and forced them into institutions. It is a way of thinking that I had not encountered before this book. He covers giants, midgets, people with parasitic twins, hermaphrodites, fat people, wild people and many others-- telling stories and anecdotes of his time on the road. Well worth the time.
The most comprehensive study of freaks I have ever read.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
We who are not as others: A book about "freaks" written by a freak, is obviously a labor of love by the author. Daniel P. Mannix presents a well-researched study of the physically challenged, not only in our time, but throughout history. He presents human oddities, not as something to gawk at and scare little children, but as warm, loving and feeling people with dreams and aspirations the same as everyone. He presents his own kind with hopes that the reader will understand: these people are not as others, yet very much the same. Modern day "freak shows" are mostly made up of people who want to be freaks and make a buck, but the people in this book are the real thing and had no choice. Read this book with an open mind and an open heart. It can change your outlook on life.
Absolutely essential for anyone with an interest in freaks.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
This book was given to me as a gift a few years back and has become one of my prized possesions. Everyone that comes to the house asks to see it. In addition to the wonderful photographs, thoughtful attention has been paid to describing the lives of the people discussed, along an interesting personal and historical perspective one doesn't often find in the more recent tomes concerned with "political correctness." This book's only failing is that there isn't more of it.
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