The Giant and How He Humbugged America

By:

Synopsis
Two-time Newbery Honor Book author has written an amazing account of one of America's most famous hoaxes!

When a 10-foot tall purported "petrified man" is unearthed from a backyard in upstate New York in 1869, the discovery immediately turns into a spectacle of epic proportions. News of the giant spreads like wildfire, and well over a thousand people come to view him in the first five days alone!

Everyone has their own idea of his true origin: Is he an ancient member of the local Onandaga Indian tribe? Is he a biblical giant like Goliath? Soon the interests of world-renowned scientists and people from around the globe are piqued as arguments flare over who he is, where he came from, and if he is real--or just a hoax.

In a riveting account of how the Cardiff Giant mystery snowballed into one of America’s biggest money-making spectacles--and scams--Jim Murphy masterfully explores the power of 19th-century media and the unexpected ripple effect that a single corrupt mastermind can produce when given a stage.

Copyright:
2012

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
112 Pages
ISBN-13:
9780545537759
Related ISBNs:
9780439691840
Publisher:
Scholastic Inc.
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Jim Murphy
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
History, Children's Books, Nonfiction, Law, Legal Issues and Ethics
Grade Levels:
Third grade, Fourth grade, Fifth grade, Sixth grade, Seventh grade
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

Reviews

No Rating Yet