Book · 2008 · Biography & Autobiography
Charlatan
America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam
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You can check out this podcast on the web at behindthebastards.com where we'll have the sources for this episode including the fantastic book Charlatan.
What they say about it
- Source for details on Brinkley“according to the book Charlatan”6
The best things said about it
According to the book Charlatan, his offerings included, quote, French lessons, astrologers, gospel quartets, the tell me a story lady, and Hawaiian songs of farewell, country music, too.
According to the book Charlatan, quote, Brinkley was not that kind of Christian. When Andy got there with only $550, Brinkley wouldn't touch him. He'd have to raise $750 or go home without an operation.
Here's the book Charlatan again. Charles Zegan, 60, said that instead of stitching him up properly after a prostate operation, Brinkley had plugged the bleeding wound with a piece of rubber boot heel and sent him on his way.
Some of his early listeners included, according to the book Charlatan, quote, Chet Atkins, a teenager in Columbus, Georgia, who turned into Xc on a batteryowered radio he built from mail order parts.
According to the book Charlatan, he only had a wavering conception of how to perform his own signature surgery. Quote, Sometimes he slivered the animal gland like a clove of garlic and put the pieces in the patient.
According to the book Charlatan, quote, Brinkley had this angle covered already with his special gland emulsion, which he sold mail order for $100.
Why people recommend it
Charlatan by Pope Brock is a biographical history detailing the bizarre and fraudulent medical career of John R. Brinkley, who famously implanted goat testicles into patients and pioneered early talk radio. Robert Evans recommended the book on Behind the Bastards, directing listeners to it as a primary source for the podcast episode. Evans utilized Charlatan to recount numerous outrageous aspects of Brinkley's operation, from his extensive radio broadcasts featuring diverse entertainment acts like gospel quartets and country music to his highly dubious medical practices. The book provided documented accounts of patients being charged exorbitant fees, receiving inconsistent surgical procedures where animal glands were sliced haphazardly, and suffering severe physical injuries, such as a wound being plugged with a piece of a rubber boot heel. Furthermore, Evans cited Brock's research to trace how Brinkley's massive radio signal reached young listeners who later became famous musicians. Through these detailed anecdotes drawn directly from Brock's work, the podcast illustrated the astonishing scale of Brinkley's medical scams and media empire.
Every mention
Robert Evans You can check out this podcast on the web at behindthebastards.com where we'll have the sources for this ep… 9
“According to the book charlatan, his offerings included, quote, French lessons, astrologers, gospel quartets, the tell me a story lady, and Hawaiian songs of farewell, country music, too.”
“Next, according to the book charlatan, quote, "Brinkley was not that kind of Christian. When Andy got there with only $550, Brinkley wouldn't touch him. He'd have to raise $750 or go home without an operation.”
“Here's the book charlatan again. Charles Zegan, 60, said that instead of stitching him up properly after a prostate operation, Brinkley had plugged the bleeding wound with a piece of rubber boot heel and sent him on his way.”
“Some of his early listeners included, according to the book Charlatan, quote, Chet Atkins, a teenager in Columbus, Georgia, who turned into Xc on a batteryowered radio he built from mail order parts. Whan Jennings, a youngster in Littlefield, Texas”
“You can check out this podcast on the web at behindthebastards.com where we'll have the sources for this episode including the fantastic book charlatan.”
“And I'm going to quote from the book Charlatan by Pope Brock to, uh, explain what exactly was going on there.”
“According to the book charlatan, quote, Dr. Burke asked a few questions, made a few notes, and put out his palm for $25, a massive sum.”
“According to the book charlatan, he only had a wavering conception of how to perform his own signature surgery. Quote, "Sometimes he slivered the animal gland like a clove of garlic and put the pieces in the patient.”
“But according to the book charlatan, quote, Brinkley had this angle covered already with his special gland emulsion, which he sold mail order for $100. Rectal syringe included.”
