A Curious Man: The Strange and Brilliant Life of Robert “Believe It or Not” Ripley, by Neal Thompson.

Note:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for writing a review.  Happily this was very easy as I loved the book!  I have always read the Sunday Comics, and remember as a young child reading “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” and marveling at the oddities presented each week.   LeRoy Robert Ripley’s life was truly amazing – as amazing as the people, places and endeavors he drew and wrote about each week.  It was hard to believe that he accomplished what he did - consistently producing five or more cartoons a week plus radio and TV shows on top of frequent world travels!  At the same time he met many famous people including Mark Twain, Walt Disney and Barry Goldwater to name a few.   

Below is a list of the main people in his life as well as discussion questions.   This book will appeal to many people and will promote interesting discussions.  Enjoy!

 

People

LeRoy Robert Ripley Isaac and Lillie – parents Ethel and Doug – siblings   Beatrice Roberts – wife – divorced   Arthur “Bugs” Baer – best friend   Almuth Seabeck – housekeeper   Associates: Norbert Pearlroth – researcher – critical to success but unknown Robert Hyland – financial manager Dick Hyman – publicist Joe Simpson – traveling secretary C. C. Pyle – oversaw Odditoriums Doug Storer – managed radio shows (wife Hazel also good friend of Ripley’s)   Women friends: Ruth Ross (Oakie) Li Ling-Ai Ming Jung Leise Wisse

For discussion:

1. How did Ripley’s childhood (buck teeth, shy, stutterer) shape his adulthood and vocation?

2. Seneca, a first-century Roman philosopher, said, “Luck is where the crossroads of opportunity and preparation meet.”  How did Ripley exemplify this quote?

3. Were you surprised how many well-known people were among Ripley’s acquaintances and friends?  For example he knew Mark Twain, Walt Disney and Barry Goldwater.  Charles Schultz, creator of Snoopy, sent Ripley a drawing for his cartoon.

4. Ripley loved to travel and used trips for rejuvenation.  What travel experiences have you had that rejuvenated you?  Or the opposite – exhausted you?  What is the most unusual or interesting thing you have seen on your travels?

5. In the mid 1920s American newspaper readers’ tastes changed and they wanted more pictures and gossip.  Tabloids became popular as they promoted this type of news.  The “critics likened tabloids to addictive drugs, fretting that they’d precipitate the demise of American culture.”  (page 139 of paperback)   Did that happened?  Are we still on a downward spiral?

6. Discuss Ripley’s relationship with women.  With alcohol.

7. Of all the people in Ripley’s life, Norbert Pearlroth seemed to stay the longest and stayed with the enterprise the longest after Ripley’s death.  How do you think he managed to be happy and stay in the background with no recognition?  Do you think he was treated fairly?

8. Did you feel like Ripley was exploiting the people in his shows or giving them a chance to earn money and be a celebrity?  Was his exhibit in the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 publicity-seeking and exploitive or educational?

9. Do you think his exhibits will continue to be as popular as they were?  Why or why not?

10. Was Ripley a patriot, a celebrity or both?

11. At the end of the book, what did you think about the author’s commentary about current TV reality shows in comparison to what amazed Ripley?  How does our current fascination with “Fear Factor” or “Bizarre Foods” compare with people’s fascination with Ripley’s cartoons and shows?

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer is available at wordassociation.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.