Phrenology — the pseudoscientific field of study premised on the theory that a person’s intellect, personality and character can be determined by the shape of his or her skull — was responsible for a host of ills during its heyday in the 19th century and gave a sheen of “scientific” and “biological” truth to racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.
It was also responsible for the comically absurd illustrations and assertions found in Vaught’s Practical Character Reader, a 1902 volume that aimed to teach the public how to apply the principles of phrenology in judging people’s worth.
While the author expounds with conviction on “cruel eyes,” “selfish ears” and “gross, sensual chins,” the illustrator provides diagrams and pictures which have cemented the book as a classic in the genre of unintentional humor.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Louis Allan Vaught was born on August 13, 1859, in Jackson, Missouri, the second youngest of a farming family of eight children. Interested in phrenology from an early age, he began teaching school in Kansas and learning everything he could on the subject. Vaught started delivering lectures and after one of them, met Mary “May” Ellen Reid who began managing and promoting his lecture circuits, soon becoming his wife. Two years after May’s death in 1900, Vaught married his young stenographer, Nettie McDowell, and that same year he published his only book, Vaught’s Practical Character Reader, a handbook for determining a person’s personality traits by examining their heads. Plagued from childhood by disease, Vaught died six months later at age 44 on May 5, 1903.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
US$ 2.64 shipping within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speedsSeller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 50027803
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 50027803-n
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: Rarewaves USA, OSWEGO, IL, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # LU-9798886011401
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: California Books, Miami, FL, U.S.A.
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9798886011401
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Fairfield, OH, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A book on phrenology by L. A. Vaught published in 1902, jam-packed with strange theory and a whole host of strange illustrations. As he confidently states in his Preface: The purpose of this book is to acquaint all with the elements of human nature and enable them to read these elements in all men, women and children in all countries. At least fifty thousand careful examinations have been made to prove the truthfulness of the nature and location of these elements. More than a million observations have been made to confirm the examinations. Therefore, it is given the world to be depended upon. Taken in its entirety it is absolutely reliable. Its facts can be completely demonstrated by all who will take the unprejudiced pains to do so. It is ready for use. It is practical. Use it.The theory that one can ascertain a person's character by the shape of their features is disturbing to say the least.-The Public Domain ReviewPublished by Chicago phrenologist L.A. Vaught, who confidently claims that "its facts can be completely demonstrated by all who will take the unprejudiced pains to do so," the book lays out the 42 known elements of human nature (including Acquisitiveness, Benevolence, Amativeness and Weight) and how they're made manifest in people's heads, noses, ears and chins.While the author expounds with conviction on "cruel eyes," "selfish ears" and "gross, sensual chins," the illustrator provides diagrams and pictures which have cemented the book as a classic in the genre of unintentional humor.-Alex Q. ArbuckleStaccato Crime Classic #12 Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9798886011401
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # LU-9798886011401
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: Ria Christie Collections, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Condition: New. In. Seller Inventory # ria9798886011401_new
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, United Kingdom
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 50027803-n
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, United Kingdom
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 50027803
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, Germany
Taschenbuch. Condition: Neu. Neuware - -The Public Domain Review. Seller Inventory # 9798886011401
Quantity: 2 available