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The Odditorium: The Tricksters, Eccentrics, Deviants and Inventors Whose Obsessions Changed the World by [David Bramwell]

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David Bramwell

The Odditorium: The Tricksters, Eccentrics, Deviants and Inventors Whose Obsessions Changed the World Kindle Edition

by David Bramwell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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'I LOVE THE BOOK... A BRILLIANT READ' Chris Evans, Radio 2 Breakfast Show

'This book, that I approached with caution, turns out to be magnificent. Tested it with the Moondog entry. Passed A+' Danny Baker, Radio 5Live

A CELEBRATION OF CURIOSITY AND OBSESSION
Step into a world of gloriously unpredictable characters such as Ivor Cutler, Quentin Crisp, Joe Orton, Reginald Bray, Ken Campbell, Screaming Lord Sutch, Sun Ra, Buckminster Fuller, Timothy Leary and Ayn Rand.

The Odditorium is a playful re-telling of history, told not through the lens of its victors, but through the fascinating stories of a wealth of individuals who, while lesser-known, are no less remarkable.

Throughout its pages you'll learn about the antics and adventures of tricksters, eccentrics, deviants and inventors. While their stories range from heroic failures to great hoaxes, one thing unites them - they all carved their own path through life. Each protagonist exemplifies the human spirit through their dogged determination, willingness to take risks, their unflinching obsession and, often, a good dollop of eccentricity.

Learn about Reginald Bray (1879-1939), a Victorian accountant who sent over 30,000 singular objects through the mail, including himself; Muriel Howorth (1886-1971), the housewife who grew giant peanuts using atomic energy; and Elaine Morgan (1920-2013), a journalist who battled a tirade of prejudice to pursue an aquatic-based theory of human evolution, which is today being championed by David Attenborough.

While many of us are content to lead a conventional life, with all of its comfort and security, The Odditorium reminds us of the characters who felt compelled to carve their own path, despite risking ostracism, failure, ridicule and madness. Outsider artists, linguists, scientists, time travellers and architects all feature in The Odditorium, each of whom risked ostracism, ridicule and even madness in pursuit of carving their own esoteric path, changing the world in wonderful ways.

'BRAMWELL CLEARLY HAS AN EYE FOR THE ODDBALL AND ARCANE' The Guardian

Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Nicholas Brealey
Publication date

October 17, 2017
File size

54835 KB
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Terry Breverton
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Kindle Edition
1 offer from $3.99
Terry Breverton
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Kindle Edition
1 offer from $3.99

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The No9 Bus to Utopia, by David Bramwell:

"Packed with wisdom, humour and pathos." Tom Hodgkinson, Idler―Idler

Praise for David Bramwell:

"Bramwell clearly has an eye for the oddball and arcane." (The Guardian).―The Guardian

Praise for David Bramwell:

"A remarkable storyteller." (Radio Times).―Radio Times --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

About the Author

David is the creator of the bestselling Cheeky Guides and author of travel memoir The No9 Bus to Utopia, ("packed with wisdom, humour and pathos." Tom Hodgkinson, Idler), which has since evolved into an award-winning one man show, Radio 3 documentary and TEDx talk. David is a presenter on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4 and has made programs on subjects ranging from time travel to Ivor Cutler. In 2011 he won a Sony Silver Award for The Haunted Moustache. He is a regular contributor to Ernest Journal, co-hosts the Odditorium podcast and has written books on alcohol and hard words for Harper Collins. "A remarkable storyteller." (Radio Times). Jo is the editor and publisher of Ernest Journal, an awardwinning digital and printed magazine for the curious and adventurous. It is a guide for those who appreciate true craftsmanship, slow adventure and eccentric history. She worked on the launch team for Countryfile magazine, launched and edited Pretty Nostalgic magazine and co-authored Wild Guide: Devon, Cornwall and South West. She writes regularly for Countryfile, The Simple Things,The Guardian, Independent and greentraveller.co.uk. She has hosted Bristol's Biggest Indoor Picnic and collaborated on events at Wilderness Festival, Port Eliot and Eroica Britannia. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B075WVLKHR
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nicholas Brealey (October 17, 2017)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 17, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 54835 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #1,902,240 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #893 in Curiosities & Wonders
- #1,065 in Trivia (Kindle Store)
- #2,517 in Trivia & Fun Facts (Books)

Customer Reviews:
70 ratings

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5 star		62%
4 star		23%
3 star		5%
2 star		9%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top review from the United States

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B. Brolin

A PDF, not n ebook

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

It may have said PDF, but perhaps in small type. The painfully annoying PDF format makes this an unpleasant read.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

S. Powers

Fabulous read, Excellent concept

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

As a massive fan of all things unusual and quirky the content of this book instantly appealed to me. Upon reading it I was happy to find it had the right balance of information coupled with humour and kept my interest throughout. Would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in exploring our lesser known history

6 people found this helpful

Dips

I can't put it down.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

I just got this through the post and it's already a joy to read. First, I like the size. Very tactile. Second, I like the cover. Third, I like the layout. Fourth, and although I've only just dived in, I can't put it down. These people are talented and the folks in the book are real and fascinating. New heroes ahoy.

5 people found this helpful

Mr S Glover

Great Trivia Enlightenment

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2017

Verified Purchase

A cracking xmas gift. If you adore facts/trivia and general interest stuff this is for you. Collection of biographies of truly mad, genius and influential figures that may well have passed you by. Perfect toilet book or 'curious' coffee table addition. If you like QI style reading or the Schott's Miscellany then this one is for you.

One person found this helpful

D. Zoll

Nearly wasn't a gift!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

I read some of this before giving it as a gift... and very nearly didn't give it as a gift!
Lots of interesting subject matter across a broad range of subjects

Liz Hodgkinson

A great, lighthearted read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

A new look at some of the most outlandish people of the last century, including Quentin Crisp, T Lobsang Rampa (now almost forgotten) and Alasteir Crowley. A great, lighthearted read.

One person found this helpful

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