Phantom Hitchhikers and Other Urban Legends

The Strange Stories Behind Tall Tales

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Paperback
$24.00 US
On sale Feb 05, 2013 | 256 Pages | 9780399161537

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A journey through the origins of urban legends, conspiracy theories, and old wives' tales.

We all love a good story. But where do they really originate? Albert Jack explores the best, strangest, and funniest of the tales so many of us take as gospel, and uncovers some eye-popping true stories that are even more far-fetched than their mythical counterparts.

From the frozen body of Walt Disney to the alligators lurking in the New York City sewers, Jack explores the origins of the most captivating urban legends, unraveling the truth behind the myths. Delve into legends like Robin Hood, JFK’s brain, hamsters under carpets, and mysterious travelers, and you’ll never be short of a scary or bizarre anecdote again.
Albert Jack lives in Cape Town, South Africa. He is the author of Loch Ness Monsters and Raining Frogs: The World's Most Puzzling Mysteries Solved. His first book, Red Herrings and White Elephants: The Origin Of Phrases We Use Every Day, was published by Harper in 2006. View titles by Albert Jack

About

A journey through the origins of urban legends, conspiracy theories, and old wives' tales.

We all love a good story. But where do they really originate? Albert Jack explores the best, strangest, and funniest of the tales so many of us take as gospel, and uncovers some eye-popping true stories that are even more far-fetched than their mythical counterparts.

From the frozen body of Walt Disney to the alligators lurking in the New York City sewers, Jack explores the origins of the most captivating urban legends, unraveling the truth behind the myths. Delve into legends like Robin Hood, JFK’s brain, hamsters under carpets, and mysterious travelers, and you’ll never be short of a scary or bizarre anecdote again.

Author

Albert Jack lives in Cape Town, South Africa. He is the author of Loch Ness Monsters and Raining Frogs: The World's Most Puzzling Mysteries Solved. His first book, Red Herrings and White Elephants: The Origin Of Phrases We Use Every Day, was published by Harper in 2006. View titles by Albert Jack

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