Author and historian John Woolf discusses the amazing freak performers and freak shows of the 19th century.  He talks about famous performers such as Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton) and the greatest showman P.T. Barnum.  He explains how the meeting between General Tom Thumb and Queen Victoria brought the freak performers and shows into mainstream entertainment of the day.  He also discusses the early fascination with little people and others with abnormalities, such as Jeffrey Hudson who was in the court of Charles I of England.  Woolf covers several additional freak performers such as Chang and Eng, Joice Heth, Maximo and Bartola, the WhatIsIt and the influence Charles Darwin's research had on the freak shows of the age.  He explains the life of the Elephant Man (Joseph Merrick) and how exploitation led to the decline of popularity of the shows.  He finishes with a discussion on whether the extraordinary performers were exploited or empowered by the freak shows of the 19th century.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Freakshow Crush Hazy IPA, Flying Monkey Craft Brewery, Barrie, Ontario

BOOK:  The Wonders: The Extraordinary Performers Who Transformed the Victorian Age
https://www.amazon.com/The-Wonders-John-Woolf-audiobook/dp/B07YCXCWQ1/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=john+woolf&qid=1615864967&s=books&sr=1-2

MUSIC:  Bones Fork
https://bonesfork.com/

CLIP:  This is Me, The Greatest Showman, Atlantic Records