Marc Hartzman Bücher

Many historians claim the sideshow began with P.T. Barnum; however this phenomenon has existed as long as human curiosity. When something different or unusual appears before you -- living or inanimate -- you're intrigued, amazed, or maybe even disgusted. But you want to see it. It's natural to be curious about oddities. The human body takes many different forms and shapes, some considered "freakish." Freaks have always been, and will always be, fascinating. Yet regardless of their physical abnormalities, the people presented here triumphed over their disadvantages, defied expectations, succeeded financially, and often found love. This book is not only a look at their lives -- their trials, their tribulations, their triumphs -- but also a visual record of the uniqueness of humanity. -- From publisher's description

The Red Planet takes center stage in this entertaining, well researched, and fully illustrated pop history of Earthlings long relationship with Mars, and its impact on pop culture, space exploration, and our hopes for the future.

Take a spirited tour through the supernatural history of America, from its haunted sites to its famous ghosts to its ghost-obsessed pop culture.

Have you ever visited a yard sale and marveled at the bizarre treasures on display? Picture a homemade deer-poop paperweight for ten dollars, a lonely left boot, or a belt with a glass eye in its buckle. Such fantastic oddities exist and have been sold on eBay, where a collection of these items serves as a hilarious "museum" of priceless artifacts. With thirty million registered users, eBay has become the most popular shopping website, drawing everyone from grandmothers to teenagers eager to buy and sell just about anything. While searching for rare deals on hard-to-find gifts, buyers often encounter the unusual and unexpected. The author has curated one hundred quirky items, photographing them as if they were precious jewels. Among these are a trucker's prayer plaque, a real frog coin purse poised to leap off the page, and a strand of Abraham Lincoln's hair presented as a historical gem. Each image is accompanied by the seller's original sales pitch and amusing email exchanges about the objects' improbable uses. This pocket-sized catalog of curiosities makes for a delightful novelty gift for any eBay enthusiast in your family.

“We Are Not Alone . . . manages to be highly entertaining and easy to read, yet fair, balanced and thorough.”—Christopher Mellon, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Do you want to believe? Explore our fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence through exclusive interviews, archival photos, and strange but true stories from history. After decades of cover-ups and denials, in a June 2021 report, the US government finally admitted what many people already knew: yes, UFOs are real, and no, we don’t know what (or who) they are. Weird historian Marc Hartzman separates fact from fiction and provides a comprehensive tour through the skies, including: UFO sightings, from the famous to the obscure Alien abductions, including the Betty and Barney Hill abduction and the Pascagoula abduction Ancient aliens, from Biblical astronauts to the alien architects behind the pyramids Scientific evidence, including the “Wow!” radio signal and the interstellar ‘Oumuamua object Cover-ups and conspiracies, including the Roswell Incident and Area 51 Governmental and military findings, from Project Blue Book to reports of UFOs at nuclear weapons sites Deeply researched and highly entertaining, We Are Not Alone will inform and entertain anyone who’s ever doubted that we are really alone in the universe.

This book offers a captivating exploration of the American sideshow and its remarkable performers, revealing the truth behind what is real, fake, and bizarre. While figures like Tom Thumb and the Elephant Man are well-known, the lives of lesser-known stars such as Eli Bowen, Myrtle Corbin, and Prince Randian are also examined. Covering the period from 1840 to 1950, it chronicles the extraordinary lives of these performers, highlighting their resilience and triumph over their physical differences. The narrative discusses the rise and decline of traditional sideshows and their evolution into today’s self-made freaks. As modern medicine advances, many physical abnormalities are being treated or prevented, leading to a paradox where technology also enables body modifications, such as tongue forking or horn implantation. The book features contemporary performers like giants, fire-eaters, and sword swallowers, celebrating their unique talents through intimate biographies and stunning photographs. With around 200 performers showcased, it provides a comprehensive and astonishing view of the history of the American sideshow, emphasizing both the spectacle and the humanity of its stars.