A Colossal Hoax

A Colossal Hoax
Author: Scott Tribble
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2008-12-16
Genre: History
ISBN: 074256472X

In October 1869, as America stood on the brink of becoming a thoroughly modern nation, workers unearthed what appeared to be a petrified ten-foot giant on a remote farm in upstate New York. The discovery caused a sensation. Over the next several months, newspapers devoted daily headlines to the story and tens of thousands of Americans—including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the great showman P. T. Barnum—flocked to see the giant on exhibition. In the colossus, many saw evidence that their continent, and the tiny hamlet of Cardiff, had ties to Biblical history. American science also weighed in on the discovery, and in doing so revealed its own growing pains, including the shortcomings of traditional education, the weaknesses of archaeological methodology, as well as the vexing presence of amateurs and charlatans within its ranks. A national debate ensued over the giant's origins, and was played out in the daily press. Ultimately, the discovery proved to be an elaborate hoax. Still, the story of the Cardiff Giant reveals many things about America in the post-Civil War years. After four years of destruction on an unimagined scale, Americans had increasingly turned their attention to the renewal of progress. But the story of the Cardiff Giant seemed to shed light on a complicated, mysterious past, and for a time scientists, clergymen, newspaper editors, and ordinary Americans struggled to make sense of it. Hucksters, of course, did their best to take advantage of it. The Cardiff Giant was one of the leading questions of the day, and how citizens answered it said much about Americans in 1869 as well as about America more generally.

The Giant and How He Humbugged America

The Giant and How He Humbugged America
Author: Jim Murphy
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2013-02-01
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 0545537754

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.

Encyclopedia of Deception

Encyclopedia of Deception
Author: Timothy R. Levine
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Total Pages: 1094
Release: 2014-02-20
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1483306895

The Encyclopedia of Deception examines lying from multiple perspectives drawn from the disciplines of social psychology, sociology, history, business, political science, cultural anthropology, moral philosophy, theology, law, family studies, evolutionary biology, philosophy, and more. From the “little white lie,” to lying on a resume, to the grandiose lies of presidents, this two-volume reference explores the phenomenon of lying in a multidisciplinary context to elucidate this common aspect of our daily lives. Not only a cultural phenomenon historically, lying is a frequent occurrence in our everyday lives. Research shows that we are likely to lie or intentionally deceive others several times a day or in one out of every four conversations that lasts more than 10 minutes. Key Features: More than 360 authored by key figures in the field are organized A-to-Z in two volumes, which are available in both print and electronic formats. Entries are written in a clear and accessible style that invites readers to explore and reflect on the use of lying and self-deception. Each article concludes with cross references to related entries and further readings. This academic, multi-author reference work will serve as a general, non-technical resource for students and researchers within social and behavioral science programs who seek to better understand the historical role of lying and how it is employed in modern society.

The Portal of the Beast

The Portal of the Beast
Author: J. A. Hailey
Publisher: Indiependent Publishing
Total Pages: 394
Release: 2024-09-28
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

THEIR WORLD HAS BEEN STOLEN! But the virtuals have no idea of what exactly has been done. To find out, Esmeralda, BC and Caesar undertake a mission in the human world - carrying weapons with License To Kill! Despite being desperately concerned for the safety of Sabine and Louis, who have argued their way into this extremely dangerous mission, the virtual operatives have no option but to penetrate the King’s palace in the desert, to get to the bottom of the mystery regarding Sagan and Gales, the human duo inducted into Screenside, and now missing without trace. The plan is a bit complex, as Caesar and his girlfriend, Rosa, move separately, with intent to kidnap and forcibly implant a microchip into a security colonel’s head, to possess him for cover to enter the heavily-guarded palace. These virtual-operated humans now have warrior installs that make them more capable and more dangerous than any human on earth! While they don’t give a damn for the colonel, whose body Caesar will use, their fear is for the safety of Sabine and Louis, in whom Esmeralda and BC move physically, because the humans can die if shot or caught. This is an action-packed adventure, in which three virtuals go deep into danger, fighting and killing their way through to unravel the plot. And it is terrible news. A group of extremely vile humans has acquired eternal life in an isolated and well-protected system. The question is this. How powerful can they become, and which world is going to be their target - the virtual one or the physical one? Or is it going to be both?

Beyond Chutzpah

Beyond Chutzpah
Author: Norman G. Finkelstein
Publisher: Verso Books
Total Pages: 391
Release: 2020-05-05
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 178960379X

In Beyond Chutzpah, Norman Finkelstein moves from an iconoclastic interrogation of the new anti-Semitism to a meticulously researched expos of the corruption of scholarship on the Israel-Palestine conflict, especially in the work of Alan Dershowitz. Pointing to a consensus among historians and human rights organizations on the factual record, Finkelstein argues that so much controversy continues to swirl around the conflict because apologists for Israel contrive it. This paperback edition includes a new preface examining recent developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict and the misuse of anti-semitism, and a new chapter analysing the controversy surrounding Israel's construction of the West Bank wall.

Profanity, Obscenity and the Media

Profanity, Obscenity and the Media
Author: Melvin J. Lasky
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2017-12-02
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1351480278

This is the second volume of Melvin J. Lasky's The Language of Journalism series, praised as a "brilliant" and "original" study in communications and contemporary language, and as "a joy to read." When it was first published, it broke ground in focusing on the comparative styles and prejudices of mainstream American and British newspapers, and in its trenchant analysis of their systematic debasement of language in the face of obligatory platitudes and compulsory euphemisms. Lasky documents the growing crisis affecting honest, thoughtful, and independent journalism in the Western world. He extends the scope of his first volume in the trilogy and deepens the interpretation. He also adds a personal touch of wit and anecdote, as one might expect from an experienced international journalist and historian. Lasky's examination of the use of formerly forbidden language is a triumph of sinuous semantics. In his incisive analysis, we see the tortuous struggle of a once Puritanized literary culture writhing to break free of censorship and self-censorship. This volume on the phenomenon of profanity adds another dimension to Lasky's thesis on mass culture's trivialization of real social and political phenomena. It also underscores our society's embrace of banality, in standardizing politically correct jargon and slang. Readers of the first volume will find here a new range of references to illuminate the detail of what our newspapers have been publishing.

Galaxy Science Fiction November 1950

Galaxy Science Fiction November 1950
Author: MDP Publishing
Publisher: MDP Publishing
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2017-01-05
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1944409092

Science Fiction's Original Classic Magazine!This digitally reproduced full edition replica of Galaxy Science Fiction's ground-breaking magazine issue from November 1950 has been brought back to life for a new generation of fans to enjoy! Stories by Isaac Asimov, Fritz Leiber, Theodore Sturgeon and more! Explore the possibilities of life in the future from the perspective of the 1950's pre-spaceflight era. Several of the stories and commentaries in this 65+ year-old publication are stunningly accurate, while others are amusingly way off base . . .or are they??. All are well written and entertaining, with beautiful illustrations and advertisements in the classic 1950's comic book style. Along with commentary by editor H.L. Gold, each Galaxy issue also contains a book review column by anthologist Groff Conklin, and a Willy Ley science column. The stories in this magazine are written by some of science fiction's most beloved authors, including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Sheckley, Fritz Leiber, Frederik Pohl & C.M. Kornbluth, just to name a few. This November 1950 issue does not disappoint with stories from Asimov, Leiber, and Clifford D. Simak, among others. Established in 1950, Galaxy Science Fiction was a pioneer in Science Fiction magazine publishing. Original editor H. L. Gold was interested in sociology, psychology, and other "soft" sciences, and was also willing to publish humorous and satirical stories. Science Fiction historian David Kyle commented in his book A Pictorial History of Science Fiction, 1979, that "of all the editors in and out of the post-war scene, the most influential beyond any doubt was H. L. Gold". The editorship of Galaxy passed from H.L. Gold to Frederik Pohl and then to Ejler Jakobsson during the 1960s. Look for more editions of MDP'sGalaxy's Science Fiction series, coming soon to e-retailers worldwide.

Running Through the Graveyard

Running Through the Graveyard
Author: Thomas J. Miranda
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2016-07-15
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1457545217

This book contains a number of essays that address the decline of America and the causes of our impending demise. America is racing toward the graveyard of nations and is leaderless, we have lost our moral compass, our government is corrupt to the core and we are reaping the benefits of an entitlement society. Meanwhile, we have dumbed down our education so that in many cases, high school graduates cannot fill out an unemployment form, high school graduates? Our religious leaders have lost their way and preach more social issues than salvation. The abortuaries have killed over 55 million and counting of our unborn and continue to do so, while politicians wring their hands over political correctness. It is the author’s hope that the reader will be made aware of these nation destroying trends and will react to vote for real leaders or this nation is heading for the graveyard of nations

Honeymoon in Hell

Honeymoon in Hell
Author: Fredric Brown
Publisher: Rosetta Books
Total Pages: 59
Release: 2011-10-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0795321201

A groundbreaking science fiction novelette from the early days of Galaxy magazine—plus a new foreword by Paul Di Filippo. Appearing in the second issue of Galaxy dated November 1950, Honeymoon in Hell showcased the magazine’s distinctive identity as opposed to other publications of its time—darker, more socially aware, sometimes sexually frank in ways that were shocking for the era. Dealing with copulation and its desired consequences, Honeymoon in Hell avoided euphemisms—and used a satirical attack that parodied magazine taboos. The covers of pulp magazines depicted monsters putting near-naked females in peril, but the narratives under the cover offered no equivalent. Brown’s hastily married couple, sent to the moon to see if they can breed a male child—all births on Earth over recent months having been female—encounter problems emotional as well as practical. This book includes both the landmark novelette and a new foreword by Paul Di Filippo. About the series: Debuting in 1950, Galaxy was science fiction’s most admired, widely circulated, and influential magazine, known for publication of full-length novels, novellas, and novelettes by giants in the field. The Galaxy Project is a selection of the best of Galaxy, with new forewords by some of today’s top writers. Initial selections include work by Ray Bradbury, Fredric Brown, Lester del Rey, Robert A. Heinlein, Damon Knight, C. M. Kornbluth, Walter M. Miller, Jr., Frederik Pohl, Robert Sheckley, Robert Silverberg, William Tenn (Philip Klass), and Kurt Vonnegut. Foreword contributors include Paul Di Filippo, David Drake, John Lutz, Barry N. Malzberg, and Robert Silverberg. The Galaxy Project is committed to publishing new work in the spirit of Galaxy magazine and its founding editor, H. L. Gold