As scientific thinking and exploration took hold of the Victorian imagination, and the public sphere, there was a genuine sense of wonder around those who defied understanding.
REVIEW: QUEEN OF THE AIR by Dean Jensen
I love stories about the circus — and magicians, performers, and theatres — , particularly in this era. There is something about the great gulf between the reality of the grueling life and the sparkling image that was maintained for the crowds. Unforgiving schedules, primitive travel, punishing physical feats were all typical of even…
Good Word: Berserk
Now used as an adjective to mean crazy and off the wall, its etymology is as a noun. Berserk has its roots in old Norse languages and refers to a Scandinavian in battle who was invulnerable. A band of them was called berserkers or berserkergang. Some historians have posited that the groups of warriors would…