Ripley’s believe it or not! Beyond weird! (ANNUAL)

By: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
Publisher: Editorial Ripley
Release Date: August 2019
ISBN: 978-1609912420
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld

Ripley’s newest offering has arrived, and like the previous books in this series, this one is so much fun to read, study, and just enjoy.

Readers new to this series will first want to learn about the man behind the books (and the institution that is Ripley), Robert Ripley. Beyond the Bizarre devotes a few pages, like every book in this series, to the founder of Ripley’s, and always offers some new facts about the man. This year we also got a few pages of new media events for Ripley, including the Hollywood Christmas Parade and a new series on the Travel Channel hosted by Bruce Campbell, known to many as Ash Williams in the Evil Dead franchise.

What follows are several chapters that divide the “weird” facts into categories of: Believe It, World, Animals, Pop Culture, People, and finally, Beyond Belief.

Like Robert Ripley, who loved to travel the world in search of new and interesting facts, rites, customs, animals, food, etc., this book takes the reader to remote and not-so-remote parts of the world. From a toad museum on the banks of the Thuan River in Yasothon, Thailand, to the first female tattoo artist in the United States, this book is not just a collection of weird facts, but a tour of many regions of the world. The pop culture chapter is sure to be a teen favorite with selfie facts, digital ink, a Spider-Man skydiver, and so many other social media and celebrity facts they won’t be able to resist. I’m always a fan of the animal section, and even though I’ve read every single one of those chapters in the last ten yearbooks, I’m still fascinated by what’s new this year. There is certainly something for every interest in this new book from Ripley.

Each August, Feathered Quill receives the latest in the annual “Believe It or Not!” Ripley’s. Series to review. A quality high-gloss paper, hardcover product that always offers something new, this book is devoured every year here at the office and enjoyed before a review is published. This year is no different: I spent several hours going through Beyond the Bizarre, enjoying every page. There are so many strange facts that you might have trouble believing, if it weren’t for all the fantastic images that accompany those facts. A goose with an arrow in its head, a Roman-style chariot vs. a racing Ferrri 458 Italia and a “tractor tree” are just a few of the hundreds of weird things you’ll find in this book. If you, or your child, enjoy learning interesting facts from around the world, then you should definitely check out Ripley’s Beyond the Weird.

Quill says: Another year, another Ripley’s Believe It or Not! annual book of strange and fascinating facts. This series never disappoints. Enjoy!