Ebook - Celebrations of Curious Characters By Ricky Jay (Digital Download)
Description & Effect
Step into the Extraordinary World of Ricky Jay
Step into the extraordinary mind of Ricky Jay, the renowned magician, historian, and storyteller, with 'Celebrations of Curious Characters'. This digital download unlocks his personal vaults, offering an unparalleled journey into a forgotten world of human oddities, incredible feats, and arcane historical footnotes. Adapted from his acclaimed 'Jay's Journal of the Air' radio series, this ebook is a fascinating compendium of the bizarre and the brilliant.
Unveiling the Unusual
Prepare to meet a dazzling array of individuals who defy convention. From limbless jugglers and banjo-picking birds to Anglo-Texan saxophone-playing Siamese twins, each one-page anecdote introduces you to a new marvel. Explore the lives of cannon-ball catchers, cunning conmen, masterful card cheats, and even performing politicians. Discover the man who painstakingly constructed Lincoln Cathedral from over a million bottle corks, the woman who was continuously pregnant for six-and-a-half years, and the theatrical strongman who astonishingly became a leading Egyptologist. Jay's narrative skill transforms these vignettes into captivating explorations of human ingenuity and eccentricity.
A Visual and Intellectual Feast
Beyond the engrossing tales, 'Celebrations of Curious Characters' is enriched by a treasure trove of rare visual materials. Each anecdote is perfectly paired with engravings, mezzotints, and broadsheets meticulously sourced from Ricky Jay's remarkable personal collection. These historical illustrations don't just accompany the text; they deepen the immersion, offering authentic glimpses into the eras and lives of these unusual figures. Jay's insightful digressions on subjects like time, money, and the intricate argot of thieves further elevate this ebook, making it a truly unique intellectual adventure.
Your Gateway to Arcane Knowledge
This ebook is more than just a collection of stories; it's an invitation to view history through Ricky Jay's distinctively curious lens. Perfect for enthusiasts of magic, history, biography, and the wonderfully strange, 'Celebrations of Curious Characters' promises entertainment, education, and endless fascination. Immerse yourself in a world where the extraordinary was once commonplace, all curated by one of the greatest minds in the history of curiosities.
Original Specs
Celebrations of Curious Characters cracks open the personal vaults of Ricky Jay--raconteur, historian, and one of the world's great sleight-of-hand artists--exposing a wonderful world of amusing and arcane knowledge. Adapted from his popular radio series "Jay's Journal of the Air," Celebrations of Curious Characters features one-page anecdotes of mind-bending performers (limbless jugglers, banjo-picking birds, Anglo-Texan saxophone-playing siamese twins) paired with engravings, mezzotints, and broadsheets from the author's remarkable collection. You'll find engaging vignettes on a daunting variety of topics: musical prodigies, cannon-ball catchers, conmen, card cheats, and performing politicians. Plus, a man who made a model of Lincoln Cathedral out of 1,000,800 bottle corks; a woman continuously pregnant for six-and-a-half years; a theatrical strong man who became the world's leading Egyptologist; and a healthy number of digressions on time, money, and the argot of thieves.
