Book Review and Giveaway: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Reality Shock!

There is just something about Ripley's Believe It or Not! that captures the imagination. I remember watching the older television show, back in the '80's, and finding all the featured oddities fascinating. Several years ago, when we were in Niagara Falls, we went to a Ripley's museum, and even before that we visited the Ripley's aquarium in Gatlinburg. Both brought the unbelievable to life.

But I have to admit, there was always a little part of me that wondered if all the crazy stuff featured by Ripley's was truly real. (Not the fish - they were very much alive!). I didn't know the history of Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Recently I received a glossy, hardbound copy of the latest edition of the Ripley's Believe It or Not! bestselling series, Reality Shock. And I learned some interesting facts within the first few pages.

Robert Ripley, the founder of Ripley's Believe It or Not!, was a cartoonist at The New York Globe, a radio show host, and a renowned world traveler. He went places no one had ever even heard of way back in the early to mid-twentieth century. He went everywhere, looking for anything strange and unusual.

Then I read this paragraph:

Here at Ripley's we pride ourselves that everything in this book is definitely true - no picture is doctored, no story exaggerated, and nothing is ever invented.

Nothing is included without proof. That is pretty impressive, because if you've ever browsed through a Ripley's book, you know there is some pretty unbelievable stuff in them!

Reality Shock is chock full of colorful pictures of real people, real animals, real places, and real things that might seem like fiction, but they're not.

My kids and I have been enjoying looking through this book over and over, because every time we find something we missed before. It is a fun book to share as a family, although I will warn you that there are some images that might not be suitable for the squeamish. This is all relative of course, but you might want to go through it on your own before you show it to your kids, in case you come across anything that might upset them. Nothing is gory or violent - but some might be bothered, for example, by an image of a man who can pop his eye almost entirely out of its socket.

I have an exclusive offer for my readers! Follow this link to purchase Reality Shock! for just $14.99. This is a really nice hardcover book that would make a great addition to your family's book collection, and help make reading fun for your kids.
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I am also offering one copy of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Reality Shock! to ONE lucky reader! Just use the Rafflecopter form to enter.

Disclaimer: MichiGal received a complimentary copy of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Reality Shock for review purposes. All opinions are those of MichiGal.


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