S6: History of American Freaks

Tonight, we look at the fascinating history behind Sideshows and their world-famous performers, for which the likes may never be seen again. Author Marc Hartzman has written a beautiful book detailing the history of over 200 of these performers and their breathtaking pictures.  Get his book American Sideshow on Amazon. A fascinating look into the history of the American sideshow and its performers. Learn what's real, what's fake, and what's just downright bizarre.     You've probably heard of Tom Thumb. The Elephant Man. Perhaps even Chang and Eng, the original Siamese twins. But what about Eli Bowen, the legless acrobat? Or Prince Randian, the human torso? These were just a few of the many stars that shone during the heyday of the American sideshow from 1840 to 1950. American Sideshow chronicles the lives of genuinely fantastic performers, examining these brave and extraordinary curiosities not just as sideshow performers but as people, delving into the lives they led and how they could triumph over and even benefit from their abnormalities.     American Sideshow discusses the rise and fall of the original sideshows and their subsequent replacement by today's self-made freaks. With the progress of modern medicine, technological advancements, and the wonderful world of body modification, abnormalities are being overcome, treated, and even prevented: Siamese twins can now be separated, and in addition to this, tongues can be forked, horns surgically implanted, and earlobes removed. There are also, of course, modern-day giants, fire eaters, sword swallowers, glass eaters, human blockheads, and oh, so much more.      These fascinating personalities are celebrated through intimate biographies paired with stunning photographs. Approximately two hundred performers from the past one hundred and sixty years are featured, giving readers a comprehensive and sometimes astonishing look into the history of the American sideshow.    Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook It's super easy to access our archives! Here's how: iPhone Users: Access Mysterious Radio from  Apple Podcasts and become a subscriber there, or if you want access to even more exclusive content, join us on Patreon. Android Users: Enjoy over 800 exclusive member-only posts to include ad-free episodes, case files, and more when you join us on Patreon.  Please copy and Paste our link in a text message to all your family members and friends! We'll love you forever! (Check out Mysterious Radio!)Do you frequently miss episodes of Mysterious Radio? Don't worry; here are some tips to ensure you never miss out again:1. If you haven't already, follow or subscribe to the show to receive updates on new episodes. Even if you have already done this, it's a good idea to click the option again to ensure that you are still subscribed. This is especially important!2. Turn on notifications for new episodes in your podcast app.3. Make sure that your device allows notifications from your podcast app.4. If your app has the option, swipe down to refresh the list of episodes. Do you frequently miss episodes of Mysterious Radio? Don't worry; here are some tips to ensure you never miss out again:1. If you haven't already, follow or subscribe to the show to receive updates on new episodes. Even if you have already done this, it's a good idea to click the option again...