People’s History of the Peculiar
Viva Editions • Paperback • 978-1936740833
Release date: April 8, 2014
Viva Editions • Amazon • Indiebound • B&N • Quality Paperback Books • Powells • Russo’s Books
DESCRIPTION:
Nicholas Belardes has been called a bizarre fact hunter and master of the last thing you need to know. An academic in anomaly, Belardes knows more secret lore than all the National Treasure movies combined, and digs up mind-boggling scientific oddities that would drive Darwin mad. Pore over the puzzle of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, explore the geographic mysteries of Hell Town and uncover the prophecies of the mysterious Mothman. A People’s History of the Peculiar will satisfy your curiosity better than an internet binge, and guarantee at least a few pick-up lines at a cocktail party.
PRAISE:
“. . . a compendium of blistering funny facts, outrageous anecdotes and all kinds of zany information you really need to know.” —Caroline Leavitt, NYT best-selling author of Cruel Beautiful World, This is Tomorrow and Pictures of You
“For the reader who needs to know why the characters in Dilbert don’t have mouths, your oracle has arrived.”—Jonathan Evison, author of This is Your Life Harriet Chance, The Revised Fundamentals Of Caregiving, and West of Here
“A funny, surprising, wonderfully bizarre, and exquisitely entertaining romp through the wacky minutiae of the civilized world.” —Jessica Anya Blau, author of The Trouble With Lexie and The Wonder Bread Summer
“Foreign Accent Syndrome? The Beerbrella? Odd is good. And it’s never better than in the hands of bizarre fact hunter Nicholas Belardes. Bravo, sir. Chicken Spectacles for all my friends!” —Kari Luna, author of The Theory of Everything
“Nicholas Belardes has mapped out all our fears and obsessions into one neat, little book you can take home to grandma and say, “Remember, that story you shared about Giant Peruvian Desert Penguins? They’re real!” Belardes is no stranger to the absurd. People’s History of the Peculiar is pure poetry, that is, if you consider tooth-pick grand pianos and non-skid hot dog buns great literary fodder. I know I do.” —Michael Medrano, author of Born in the Cavity of Sunsets
“Belardes’s far-out life experiences and smart, hip prose transform this book of oddities into a labyrinth of eccentric people, fascinating facts and far-flung places. Get ready to get lost!” —Jane Hawley, author of Suitcases of San Léon
“For three days straight all you’ll talk about is the knowledge of the mundanites. You know those people don’t you? They’re us. The ones who wallow in odd details like happy mud pigs after reading books like People’s History of the Peculiar.” —Al Guevara, author of The Universe is Strange
“People’s History of the Peculiar is more than a book, it’s a resource you will continue to reference for years. The spark in the narrative of Belardes will pull you in like you’re a helpless mouse around hungry snakes. A brilliant journey—jump on this muscle car of intellect.” —Tony DuShane, author of Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk
“There are the pressing questions that Nicholas Belardes tackles in People’s History of the Peculiar, the perfect book for readers who like to graze on fascinating, bite-sized bits of information, filling up on a smorgasbord of topics instead of feasting on just one particular thing. Tell your brain to wear stretchy pants—it’s about to get full. And very, very satisfied.” —Lara Zielin, author of the young-adult novels Donut Days and The Waiting Sky
“In the place beyond infinite information, here’s the dead end of data and the last thing you need to know. Within two days, you’ll turn it to sawdust ripe for a replacement copy or, better yet, sequel.” —Paul A. Toth, author of Airplane Novel
“Belardes has compiled bizarre factoids that’ll bounce around your cranium like ninjas on a trampoline playing competitive ping-pong. An ‘Oh-my-good-Lord’ frolic in stylish obscurity, a welcome walk into the deep woods of shock and awe. Take this book to your nearest intellectual watering hole and let the exuberance commence.” —Tony R. Rodriguez, author of When I Followed the Elephant
“Part poet, part storyteller, part historian, part pop culture cartographer—Nicholas Belardes is a creative force of nature. Every page of this entertaining read is full of great surprises—thoroughly enjoyed, highly recommended for all.” —Lee Herrick, author of Gardening Secrets of the Dead
“I found myself alternating between peals of laughter (upon learning the British Space Program was manned by four teddy bears wrapped in aluminum foil) and moments of profound tenderness and reflection . . . A maniac mix of Howard Zinn and Ken Jennings . . . Belardes has written a truly entertaining book that screams sleeper hit.” —Tyler Stoddard Smith, author of Whore Stories
“Belardes straps you in tight for a blazing ride through the cosmos of oddities where you’ll be left wiser, happier, and oh so starry-eyed come the end of your journey.” —Rich Ferguson, author of New Jersey Me and 8th & Agony
“A space-age journalistic cut-up as Burroughs might have hallucinated.” —Tim Z. Hernandez, author of Mañana Means Heaven and Breathing, In Dust