Vaught’s Practical Character Reader - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

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.

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