Banvard's Folly

Banvard's Folly

Author: Paul Collins

Publisher: Macmillan + ORM

Published: 2015-03-10

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 1466892056

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“Hearteningly strange . . . Collins exhumes little-known figures [and] recounts their perversely inspiring battles against the more logical ways of the world.” —The Onion Here are thirteen unforgettable portraits of forgotten people: men and women who might have claimed their share of renown but who, whether from ill timing, skullduggery, monomania, the tinge of madness, or plain bad luck—or perhaps some combination of them all—leapt straight from life into thankless obscurity. Collins brings them back to glorious life. John Banvard was an artist whose colossal panoramic canvasses (one behemoth depiction of the entire eastern shore of the Mississippi River was simply known as “The Three Mile Painting”) made him the richest and most famous artist of his day . . . before he decided to go head to head with P. T. Barnum. René Blondot was a distinguished French physicist whose celebrated discovery of a new form of radiation, called the N-Ray, went terribly awry. At the tender age of seventeen, William Henry Ireland signed “William Shakespeare” to a book and launched a short but meteoric career as a forger of undiscovered works by the Bard—until he pushed his luck too far. Collins’ love for what he calls the “forgotten ephemera of genius” give his portraits of these figures and the other ten men and women in Banvard’s Folly sympathetic depth and poignant relevance. Their effect is not to make us sneer or revel in schadenfreude; here are no cautionary tales. Rather, here are brief introductions—acts of excavation and reclamation—to people whom history may have forgotten, but whom now we cannot.


A Dance of Folly and Pleasure

A Dance of Folly and Pleasure

Author: O. Henry

Publisher:

Published: 2012-11-01

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 9781907970108

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This is a collection of short stories set in New York by American writer O. Henry, a master of the craft.


The Twin Mystery; Or, A Dashing Rescue

The Twin Mystery; Or, A Dashing Rescue

Author: Nicholas Carter

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2023-11-20

Total Pages: 123

ISBN-13:

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Nicholas Carter's 'The Twin Mystery; Or, A Dashing Rescue' is a gripping detective novel set in 19th-century London, known for its intricate plot twists and vivid character development. In this thrilling adventure, readers are taken on a journey through the city's dark alleys as they follow the protagonist, Detective Smith, in his quest to solve the mysterious disappearance of a pair of identical twins. Carter's descriptive prose and attention to detail immerse the reader in the atmospheric setting, creating a sense of urgency that keeps the pages turning. The book showcases Carter's skill in crafting a well-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Fans of classic detective fiction will appreciate the nod to the literary traditions of the genre. Nicholas Carter, a former police detective himself, brings his firsthand experience to 'The Twin Mystery; Or, A Dashing Rescue', infusing the story with authenticity and realism. Carter's background in law enforcement lends credibility to the investigative procedures depicted in the novel, adding an extra layer of depth to the storytelling. Through his writing, Carter sheds light on the intricacies of criminal investigations, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of solving crimes in a bygone era. I highly recommend 'The Twin Mystery; Or, A Dashing Rescue' to fans of detective fiction looking for a captivating read that combines suspense, intrigue, and historical detail. Nicholas Carter's expertly crafted novel is sure to delight mystery enthusiasts with its clever plot twists and engaging storytelling.


Nineteenth-Century Interiors

Nineteenth-Century Interiors

Author: Clive Edwards

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-12-05

Total Pages: 585

ISBN-13: 1000961443

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This volume of primary source materials documents the nineteenth-century search for a representative style, and the alternating fashions for interiors that demonstrated the consumerism of the period. Although in some senses every interior is unique so that a style canon may seem to be meaningless, there have been important historical trends or styles that have influenced individual interiors, and these have formed the groundwork from which other styles and tastes have developed and changed. Accompanied by extensive editorial commentary, this collection will be of great interest to students and scholars of art history.