Odd Books

Here you may read all about some very strange books including those pictured and many more.

Or, you may learn about the notorious rascal Frank Harris (1856-1931), author of that most lascivious and lying autobiography My Life and Loves.

Or, about Amanda McKittrick Ros (1860-1939), considered by some to be the worst ever novelist and poet.

Or, about Webster Edgerly (1852-1926), a misanthropic writer of dozens of books of self-help and pseudo-scientific crankery.

Or, some awful poetry.

Or, about me.

Latest Odd Book Reviews

"Touch Your Horse"

Tricia Douglas & Becky Cunningham
I don't know much about horses or horse people, but I am assuming this little pamphlet is not typical. My daughter used to go to a local stables for riding lessons when she was small, and I doubt the rather brusque ladies who ordered things there would have described their enterprise along such… continue reading

File under: health, horses, astral binoculars of the universe

Youth Be Damned!

Beckles Willson
Beckles Willson, a Canadian writer and journalist who made his home in Britain, was 68 when he wrote Youth Be Damned!, an attack on the young of his day, prompted in large part by silly newspaper articles which acclaimed young people en bloc as The Great Hope for The Future. Lately, we have all… continue reading

File under: cranky old geezers, the youth of today, women

The Bodie Book

Walford Bodie
Dr. Walford Bodie, the "Electric Wizard", was a stage magician who took determined steps into charlatanry, representing himself as  a healer, able to cure the sick through both quack electrical devices and his own mental powers. His admittedly impressive stage-villain moustache may not have… continue reading

File under: hypnosis, telepathy, magnetism, clairvoyance

Ceto's New Friends

Leah A. Haley, Lisa Dusenberry (Illustrator)
  Leah Haley, a certified public accountant and UFO contactee, wanted to present a positive view of alien abduction to young children. Too much literature about the subject concentrates on the unpleasant side of this phenomenon, such as the forced insertion of anal probes, rather than the more… continue reading

File under: children, aliens, delightful illustrations

Psychology of Botany, Minerals, and Precious Stones

"Charubel"
"Charubel", or "The Great Seer" as he humbly called himself was, according to Wikipedia, a welsh mystic named John Thomas. Thomas believed that plants have souls, though he was prepared to acknowledge there might be some difficulty in verifying this, given the elusiveness of the botanic psyche:… continue reading

File under: psychology, botany, minerals

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Most Popular Reviews

Moles and Their Meaning

Harry De Windt
BUY Moles and their Meaning today. This little book is something of a classic of its kind. It first came to my notice through Ash and Lake's Bizarre Books (1985, 1998), an admirable publication which I strongly recommend, though its authors take a fairly light-hearted approach to their material… continue reading

File under: physiognomy, divination, molesophy

Cyclomancy: The Secret of Psychic Power Control

Frank Rudolph Young
Power. Deep down, isn't that what we all want? Power over others, power to induce them to do our bidding, power to get what we want when we want it. Even better, psychic power, so one can control people with the mind, without resistance or resentment. (Just what I want for my birthday, in case you… continue reading

File under: occult powers, invented terminology, Excessive Use Of Capitalization

Does the Earth Rotate? NO!

William Westfield [pseudonym of William Edgell?]
In the compiling of this little book as a contradiction of the theory of the present Astronomers I have made a special point of being as concise and plain as possible in putting forward my proofs, and to do so I have used simple language not indulging in astronomical terms. My intention is to… continue reading

File under: flat earth, astronomy, theories, delightful illustrations

Earth's Earliest Ages

G. H. Pember
(Please note that this article contains mockery of sincerely held Christian beliefs, albeit of the flakier variety. If that sort of thing offends you, kindly shove off). It is interesting to observe how some misguided souls manage to build vast towers of supposition on the shakiest foundations by… continue reading

File under: Christianity, pre-adamites, Spiritualism, Satan, occult powers

Murdered Heiress... Living Witness

Dr. Petti Wagner
Wagner's account of her kidnapping and miraculous escape is a sort of fairy story for the soft of head. Born into a wealthy family, she became a successful businesswoman in her own right with her Herbagere hydroponics and Menotti permanent wave products. In 1971, though, her life was changed… continue reading

File under: Christianity, conspiracy, hair, crime, the most notorious psychiatrist in Texas

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