Status
Available
Call number
Publication
W. W. Norton & Company (2004), Edition: 1, Hardcover
Description
Jan Bondeson, M.D., focuses his medical expertise and insightful wit on the great unsolved mysteries of disputed identity of the last two hundred years. Did the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette really die in the Temple Tower, or did the Lost Dauphin reappear among the throngs of pretenders to the throne? And what does DNA testing reveal about the Dauphin's mummified heart? Who was Kaspar Hauser: an abused child, the crown prince of Baden, or a pathological liar? In this highly entertaining work covering the most famous cases of disputed identity, Jan Bondeson uncovers all the evidence, then applies his medical knowledge and logical thinking to ascertain the true stories behind these fascinating histories. 36 illustrations.
Media reviews
Entertaining studies of classic imposters and a public inclined to be gullible even before the age of TV.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ToniRy
Weren't there more interesting pretenders in history for author to pick on?
LibraryThing member lostinavalonOR
This one was pretty good with lots of information and characters that were new to me. Just a couple thoughts that really don't have a lot to do with the main point of these stories:
The Lost Dauphin: What's most weird about this whole story is the desiccated heart(S) thing...that's just weird and
The Tichborne Claimant: There sure were a lot of poems and songs written about this guy.
It was fun to read about my favorite historical mystery, Anna Anderson, and the whole Anastasia thing. I am still convinced that the DNA "proof" was fabricated. It's the one conspiracy theory I'll probably always buy in to.
Even though there was a lot of new information, I got through this one way quicker than I thought I would. It is interesting and entertaining and gives just the right amount of back story. I'll be looking for more of his, for sure!
The Lost Dauphin: What's most weird about this whole story is the desiccated heart(S) thing...that's just weird and
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weirdly gross.The Tichborne Claimant: There sure were a lot of poems and songs written about this guy.
It was fun to read about my favorite historical mystery, Anna Anderson, and the whole Anastasia thing. I am still convinced that the DNA "proof" was fabricated. It's the one conspiracy theory I'll probably always buy in to.
Even though there was a lot of new information, I got through this one way quicker than I thought I would. It is interesting and entertaining and gives just the right amount of back story. I'll be looking for more of his, for sure!
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Language
Physical description
320 p.; 9.32 inches
ISBN
0393019691 / 9780393019698
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