Book review of: A Curious Man, The Strange & Beautiful Life of Robert "Believe It or Not!" Ripley, by Neal Thompson

What a wonderful book!  I took this book to St. Augustine with me last week not knowing the very first Odditorium was in St. Augustine.  The book was a literary form of the Pop Up Video show from VH1. I loved the way Mr. Thompson weaved interesting tidbits through out in the form of Believe Its. 

I was very surprised with the personal information about Ripley, things I never knew.  Honestly, being 40 years old, I didn't know he started out as a newspaper cartoonist. I had no idea of his fascination of all things China either. I would never have guessed Ripley was such a ladies man by no means!                                                                                                                     
Mr. Thompson sets the story up so well from the fantastic, descriptive details, I felt like I was with Ripley though out his life. I can see the bucktoothed, bare foot boy running through Chinatown. I am looking over his shoulder as he draws cartoon after cartoon for the newspaper. I'm beside him as he is now a celebrity and parties like a rock star!   
                                               
My favorite part of Ripley's story is that he cared so much for the place he grew up and took his front door. A close second is the way he felt about his teacher who encouraged him to succeed, I think everyone needs a teacher like that in their life! I can't wait to read more of Neal Thompson, his story of Robert Ripley was full of information and true facts that I soaked up every word.  

in the gift shop...

Look! It's Ripley and I!