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Charlatan Pope Brock

Charlatan By Pope Brock

Charlatan by Pope Brock


$28.99
Condition - Very Good
Out of stock

Summary

The rise and fall of the greatest medical con man of all time

Charlatan Summary

Charlatan: The Fraudulent Life of John Brinkley by Pope Brock

This is the enormously entertaining story of how a fraudulent surgeon made a fortune by inserting goats' testes into impotent American men. So-called 'Doctor' John Brinkley became a world renowned authority on sexual rejuvenation in the 1920s, with famous politicians and even royalty asking for his services. His nemesis was Dr Morris Fishbein, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, but it took him fifteen years to destroy Brinkley in a dramatic courtroom showdown. In the meantime, despite mounting evidence that his quack treatments killed many patients, Brinkley became a millionaire and his pioneering use of radio not only kick-started country music as a national force in America, but invented the whole concept of radio advertising. He was the first politician to campaign from the air, when he ran for governor of Kansas (where else?). Pope Brock is the acclaimed author of INDIANA GOTHIC. His account of the rise and fall of John Brinkley is also another fascinating portrait of between-the-wars America: a time and place closer to DEADWOOD than ER. It is also an enduring cautionary tale for men obsessed with potency.

Charlatan Reviews

Mr Brock describes with suitable bounce and sardonic gusto what Brinkley got away with. -- Peter Lewis DAILY MAIL Charlatan is a superbly crafted and enthralling account of the life and times of an importer -- Jonathan Sale FINANCIAL TIMES a rollicking, funny, brilliantly readable book -- Kathryn Hughes Mail on Sunday One of the pleasures of Brock's joyful romp is the skill with which he locates Brinkley in his place and time. -- Mike Dash Sunday Telegraph in this very funny biography, Brock describes how Brinkley got rich on goat gonads. -- Kate Summerscale Daily Telegraph Well-researched and at time hilarious -- Peter Cunningham Irish Times Charlatan isn't just the appalling, hilarious story of an American quack, ... it's a cautionary tale for our own times about celebrity culture and psuedo-science -- Francis Wheen New Statesman one of my favourite books of 2008 so far is Charlatan by Pope Brock... Bad science doesn't get much badder -- Kathryn Hughes THE GUARDIAN Brock traces Brinkley's outrageous rise and fall with deadpan humour, relishing his unlikely exploits and deftly evoking the developing context of American medical regulation -- J.J. Purdon TLS

About Pope Brock

A former staff writer at GQ, Pope Brock has written for ROLLING STONE, ESQUIRE, LIFE, TALK and THE SUNDAY TIMES

Additional information

GOR003185095
9780297845669
0297845667
Charlatan: The Fraudulent Life of John Brinkley by Pope Brock
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Orion Publishing Co
20080214
344
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Charlatan