Listverse.com's Ultimate Book of Bizarre Lists: Fascinating Facts And Shocking Trivia On Movies, Music, Crime, Celebrities, History, And More

by Jamie Frater

Another incredible collection of unusual trivia sure to shock and amaze, from the people who brought you The Ultimate Book of Top Ten Lists.Discover freaks of nature, odd crimes, shocking deaths, devastating disasters, blood-curdling rites, crazy conspiracies and much more. Here are just some of the lists full of fascinating facts awaiting you •Gruesome Torture Devices•Mass Hysteria Outbreaks•Unbelievable Miniatures•Disturbingly Scary Clowns•Outer Space Mysteries•Astonishing Aphrodisiacs•Disgusting Ancient Jobs•Spooky Sports Curses•World-Famous Penises•Mail-Order-Bride Shockers•Brutal Pope Deaths•Outrageous Wedding Locales•Grossest Edible Animals•Appalling Religious Practices

Genres: Nonfiction, Trivia, Reference, Humor, History, Pop Culture, Science

714 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2010

About the author

Jamie Frater started his professional life as a software developer until he abandoned it to do postgraduate studies in opera at the Royal College of Music in London. Due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts, he created Listverse and left the singing for the shower.

He currently divides his time between managing and editing for Listverse, learning about all things obscure, and trying to find time for a social life.

Reviews

[Nilendu Misra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassowary, a bird that descended from Velociraptor, is world’s most dangerous one. Jaguars bite the prey’s head (rather than piercing throat) and Wolves/Hyenas try to eat their pray alive (as they are not very powerful) — me and my son had a gala afternoon. Plus, learned Tennessee Williams died from choking on his eye drop bottle lid! What a GREAT book.

[Jeremiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose it would make a good book to keep near your toilet.

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unusual book is a collection of totally random information, you get things in it like medical anomalies, weird animals, scariest places, odd Pope behavior, bizarre historical trivia, and of course peculiar travel destinations. From what I can tell the research was done well and the facts are true, I did not run across any false ones. The read is very light and filled my head with interesting trivia and mostly useless information (something I collect) I find myself being very curious about there website and other book now. I have to admit if I had not seen it at Border's going out of business sale I would have never bought it at retail price, its just not something I usually get but I might make an exception with their other book. In a lot of ways this book is like a sample tray, allowing you to get a small taste of interesting facts and weird trivia but if you want in depth details you will have to look elsewhere. One of my favorite lists was 10 facts about Ninjas, the numero uno fact was the Ninja vs Pirate debate that was handled with such humor that I nearly dropped the book from laughing so hard, and you find that a lot here...wit, terrible puns, and humor...which makes reading a bunch of facts (even if they are really interesting) a lot easier to remember. My only complaint? No pictures! I would have loved to have pictures of the most terrifying animals and horrifying clowns...it would have made more of an impact! I recommend this book to anyone who collects odd ball trivia.

[Tim Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have to qualify my rating a bit. The original Book of Lists came out when I was about 10. I got it when it was pretty new. It and Fred Worth's "Trivia Encyclopedia" kept me entertained for hours and hours reading them over and over.

This isn't in that league. But I'm still a sucker for trivia and miscellania. There's a fair amount here that's repetitive even internal to this book. But I just don't much care when it comes to this sort of thing.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just go to the website, seriously. I bought this book not even noticing it was a "Listverse" book, and it's totally useless if you frequently visit the site itself (I do). The site is constantly updated, and it's easier to fact-check online--the book provides little citation or sources, and the writing is amateur at best for many of the lists.

All in all, Listverse is great...online.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and easy read. Each section was two to four pages - so it was easy to start and stop reading whenever I wanted to. The book is divided into twelve sections, each with ten to twenty lists. The author covers the gamut of topics from 10 Bizarre Micronations to 10 Deaths of Pro Wrestlers. Not high literature, but a fun diversion.

[Noran Miss Pumkin]

Yeah-I hit Border's up one last time to say good-bye. Wish my hubby would let me score some bookshelves-3 for a bill--my library of my realistic dreams! Wish Vir was not on a raging "can we go let" loop.

[Bari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hysterical!! I have spent many hours learning about tons of new things with my friends and laughing my head off! I still haven't bothered to read it all though...I know I will get around to it eventually!

[Valz · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty entertaining, some of the list weren't that great but some were also highly entertaining. a good book to pick up every now and then to break up the stress and monotony that can pop up some days.

[Sam C · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good for light and bathroom reading.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good weird information.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book rocks. It is my current bathroom reader. Hard to put down even when I know I have to leave the facilities.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book of weird lists!

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love lists and this was full of the weird and wonderful myths and legends and general odd stuff people believe.

[Heather Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no real "finishing" this sort of book, but it is interesting. When I'm bored, I flip through it again just to refresh my brain with random trivia.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books of lists.