Believe It or Not

As a kid, I obtained (from somewhere) a first edition (soft cover) copy of this title, which I read and re-read until the tattered pages began to fall out, spellbound by Ripley's unbelievable entries and his personally sketched renditions. On the road to adulthood, I somehow managed to lose my book, glad to find it in print again (hard cover with original artwork dust cover a bonus). While subsequent Ripley editions are good and their entries equally fascinating, none can replace Ripley's first, original work, most especially from my nostalgic point of view, fondly recalling stolen moments beneath my quilt while using a flashlight to read by, oftentimes awed and sometimes shocked by Ripley's wide travels and amazing research. Living less than an hour from a Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum, seems my granddaughter has suddenly developed an interest in Ripley and his unbelievable tales and artifacts, ordering this book for myself as much as for her. Simple arrangement of topics makes for totally delightful reading and discussion.

I got this through the mail expecting to only look at the pictures, because reading anything other than historical romance isn't my thing (haha). But I spent two days reading this. It was so entertaining. I've seen the show LOTS of times, but reading all of these facts was a lot more fun. I've noticed the repeated fact that another reviewer wrote about. I also ordered the Guiness Book of World Records after Ripley's because now I've a new love...useless facts. I recommend this book to everyone, it's just pure fun all the way around.

Not only that,the words to 'Danny Boy' were written by an Englishman,'Maggie' was written by a Canadian and 'I'll Take you Home Again Kathleen' was written in America, and was a promise to bring the writer's lover back from out west to New York;not from America back to Ireland.There is no end of the things that are not as they first might seem.One of my favorites is that 'The Birdman of Alcatraz,Robert Stroud,who did all that research on birds, while serving a life sentence for murder,did it in Leavenworth prison,not Alcatraz. If you enjoy reading this sort of of thing;Ripley was the undisputed master of turning up this stuff,from all over the world.Although there have been many imitators,and some pretty good ones at that,he was the inventor and the best at the game. I have been a big fan and reader of Ripley since I was about 10 years old,and I am now approaching 70.As a young lad I got his first Believe It or Not! and noticed it was recently reprinted as a reproduction and selling in a 'big box bookstore'.It is exactly like the one I had so many years ago. Over the years ,I have read and collected many of these books over the years.My favorites were the paperback series that started in1950,and about 30 same out,Also many large 'Special' books like this one.Also a series of Comic books.Just when it looked like the end to his long trail,the TV series started.It,s been a long run and I've never tired of it because there's always new material. One of my favorite books about Ripley was 'Ripley -The Modern Marco Polo' by Bob Considine.In this book ,Considine,a pal of Ripley's, tells so much about Ripley that one realizes that his life was as wild and just as unbelievable as the stuff he wrote about.After all these years,his cartoon is still carried daily in nany newspapers.Unfortunately not here in Toronto,and maybe not where you live;but fear not,it's on the Net under 'Believe It or Not'.There are several BION Museums around the country with wonderful exhibits.I visited the one in Niagara Falls a couple of years ago.Enjoyed it very much,but surprised that they had no books to sell;hopefully that oversight has been corrected by now. I must say the printing,paper,almost exclusive use of color photography,and overall construction of this book is excellent.I would like to offer just one bit of criticism,that being of some printing on top of pictures.This accomplishes very little other than making for difficult legibility.(examples are pages 59,78,134 144,153 & 179) A great book for people off all ages.

When nothing's stranger than the truth, it's all real. That's the strangest thing about "BELIEVE IT OR NOT". The television show was cool, but they never showed anything like this on the show. Some of these facts are scarier than getting a phone call from a relative or a friend who has been dead for 11 years. The entire book is filled with facts that you will not believe. Facts that even I could never conceive. You will love this book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Robert Ripley keeps your interest for 100s of pages of interesting and weird,odd facts. Learn about the fire walkers, south-african neck strainers, and a sneeze that murdered 2000 people!