Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities (12) (ANNUAL) Hardcover – September 8, 2015

Wow... I remember Ripley's when it was a quick daily blurb on the comic page. It's great to see the same quirky oddities presented in a high quality hardcover. Eye Popping Oddities starts with the cover that actually has 3D eyes that pop off the page. Nice history about Robert Ripley - the man that started it all- in the beginning of the book. Then a segment on the medical condition "exophthalomos" ... people that actually "POP" their eyeballs out of the sockets! Page 39 has a nice photo of a 51 foot high POO SCULPTURE! The oddities are things you have to see to believe, and this book has the photos to prove it. Cheese Shoes, a Human Dictionary, Human Tail... they are all here in sharp full color. The chapters are set up in logical fashion, dividing the oddities into groups such as World, Animals, Body, Art, Food etc. A nice plus is the index in the back, so you can quickly see all the entries that apply to a specific topic of interest. Cats... there are 27 entries including "toilet training" and "eating as health cure". Wow... I just read that Tonawanda Island, a small island in the Niagara River about 12 miles from my house, is overrun by hundreds of feral cats. The cat population boom was caused by people dumping their unwanted cats on the island! This is a great book for a doctor's office...you can pick it up and be entertained for a few pages, or just hope for a long wait if you can't put it down. Coffee table book? Sure ...why not? Once your guests pick it up, it is sure to grab their interest!

I was super excited when this book arrived because I know Ripley's Believe It Or Not always delivers on its promises. As a twenty-something year old I was surprised how many times I caught myself smiling and gasping at its pictures and odd facts that I could have sworn were not true before I read this book!! I'd highly recommend this book to parents and people of all ages because Ripley's did an excellent job at reiterating an integral life lesson that being unique, and dare I say "odd", is something that one should be proud of and appreciate! The editing and design team definitely should be commended on this annual edition because each page is beautifully put together to convey the amazement I've come to expect from their books.

I bought this for my son and now I know what to get for my nephews for Christmas! I don't know about you but I find it hard to find good gifts for boys once they are past the toy truck stage. The book is really well made, so it makes a nice gift, and it will keep your pre-teen busy for hours with fascinating stories on every page. Actually, our whole family found it entertaining as well as informative, I appreciate the fact that while the book shows some crazy stories about the human body, like the six-fingered family and the bearded girl, it does explain the medical conditions that caused these oddities. Well worth the money!

It showed up in the mail and I thought at last I can sit back relax and read up on some crazy but real things in this world. Wrong, instead of a great new book for me I am now the proud new owner of a BOOK that my children are fighting over. Yes the children 4 to 16 are fighting over who gets to look at it and who claims ownership. I would love to tell you of all the magic in this thing (the kids assure me it is awesome) but I can't firsthand yet. I will say it is a well assembled book and surviving 4 kids well, the beautiful cover follows you as you move past the current possessors (twin girls). The price paid was easily half of what I would have paid for this thing had I known the reaction my kids would have to it and hoping for some alone time with it myself tonight. I'm going to have to start looking for more.. Thank you Ripley for allowing me to see the wonderment I had as a child through my kids!

My kids have been fighting over this book! From the eye catching cover to all the amazing photos and facts inside, this book has enthralled my children. My oldest has really enjoyed reading the information and sharing the facts with anyone and everyone. My boys think the pictures are the best part of the book. I really can't say enough wonderful things about this book. I truly enjoy watching my kids get so excited to learn interesting facts. Thank you Ripley's for another spectacular book.

I would say this is the best so far out of all the Believe It or Not! series. Whether it's from the world's fattest man to a 6 fingered family to giant worm this book puts out a wide expanse of topics and feats. I've always liked the Ripley's books because of their format. I like how the pictures and articles are organized. This book is good for learning something new every day and great to share with friends. I would say this is one to have in your collection.From mom- I love that the kids enjoy picking the book up over and over and enjoy it together, pointing out pictures and delighting in exclaiming "ew!" or "whoa!". Definitely a good investment for Grandma's house.

My girls love this book! They ripped it open when it arrived and pored over it for an hour. They continue to pick it up and read through it. It is a favorite book to bring with them in the car for its pure entertainment value. It is filled with awesome pictures and very interesting and "eye popping" facts. They girls love the puns that introduce new stories. I am frequently told, "Mom, did you know..." and then they read the facts they have learned to me. Great book for kids, guaranteed to make them smile!