Title: Charlatan: America’s Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam
Author: Pope Brock
First published February 5, 2008
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780307339881 (ISBN10: 0307339882)
Rating: 3.82
Overview
The 20th century’s most infamous huckster, John R. Brinkley, peddled his worthless patent remedies to gullible customers across the Southeast.
However, it was in the small town of Milford, Kansas, where he truly made his mark. With the introduction of a bizarre surgical method involving goat glands, Brinkley became America’s richest and most famous surgeon.
Morris Fishbein, a renowned quackbuster, made it his life’s mission to expose Brinkley’s dangerous and deceitful ways. Their game of cat and mouse spanned decades, yet Brinkley only grew more prosperous.
He even implemented innovative campaigning techniques and built the world’s most powerful radio transmitter, which he used to offer fraudulent cures and caused countless deaths. Despite his crimes, Brinkley’s contributions to broadcasting, music, and politics are undeniable.
Pope Brock’s Charlatan is an enthralling account of a charismatic villain who took advantage of a vulnerable America, and the man who fought to take him down.
About the Author
Pope Brock authored two highly-regarded books: Indiana Gothic, which recounts the murder of his great-grandfather in 1908, and Charlatan, which delves into the life of America’s most dangerous huckster and the era of flimflam. He has contributed to several publications such as Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, and the London Sunday Times Magazine.
Currently, Brock resides in upstate New York with his twin daughters, Molly and Hannah.
Editoral Review
Charlatan: America’s Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam by Pope Brock is a riveting account of one of the most notorious con artists in American history, and the man who dedicated his life to exposing him. This non-fiction book falls under the true crime genre but also has elements of cultural and historical significance.
The book tells the story of John R. Brinkley, a fraudster who rose to fame in the early 1900s by claiming to have a cure for impotence, which involved goat testicle implants.
He went on to become a successful radio broadcaster, politician, and even a millionaire. The book follows the journey of Morris Fishbein, a medical journalist who set out to expose Brinkley’s dubious methods, which ultimately led to a landmark lawsuit.
Pope Brock provides a fascinating and insightful analysis of the complex themes explored in Charlatan. Throughout the book, the author highlights the power of persuasion and propaganda, and their ability to attract a large and devoted following, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
This serves as an important reminder of the dangers of blind faith and the importance of scientific rigor and critical thinking. Brock is a skilled storyteller and has a talent for building suspense and tension, which keeps the reader engaged throughout the book.
The pacing is excellent, and the characters are vividly drawn, making it easy to immerse oneself in the world of Brinkley and Fishbein. The author also does an excellent job of recreating the time period, providing a rich, detailed picture of life in early 20th-century America.
One of the strengths of Charlatan is Brock’s ability to balance historical facts with an engaging narrative style. The book is well-researched, and the author adopts a neutral stance, letting the events speak for themselves.
His writing is accessible, and he avoids getting bogged down in technical jargon, making it easy for readers with little to no background in the medical field to follow along. However, the book does have some limitations.
Although the author does an excellent job of providing a detailed account of Brinkley’s life and crimes, the book does not provide much insight into his motivations or psychology. Additionally, some readers may find the frequent shifts in point of view and timeframes disorienting, especially in the early chapters.
Overall, Charlatan is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that is sure to appeal to fans of true crime, historical non-fiction, and cultural commentary. Despite its minor flaws, it is a highly engaging and impactful read that sheds light on some of the darkest corners of American history.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
