Richard J. Bauman: Writer and Prize Winning Photographer

ph: 909-594-5335
Richard@richardjbauman.com

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Richard Bauman enjoys writing about little known nuggets of history, lesser-known historical sites, and places worth visiting. When he visits places of interest he also photographs them. He’s a history sleuth and always on the lookout for photo opts. One of his goal is to weave obscure and commonly known information together into captivating stories. He reads a lot, travels a lot and takes more pictures than he’ll ever use. His latest book is Pranks in Print--A Collection of Fake Stories, Phony Ads and other Media Mischief.

“Everything that deceives may be said to enchant,” so said Plato, around 427 B.C. Abraham Lincoln said: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” Both men were right.

Pranks in Print gives you a look at some of the best printed hoaxes ever that fooled and enchanted a lot of people—at least for a while.

Did you fall for these printed hoaxes?

The New York Mets pitching prospect, Sidd Finch, who could throw a 168 mph fastball. (Sports Illustrated April 1, 1985)

Burger King’s ad announcing the company’s latest sandwich, the Left-Handed Whopper® for their southpaw customers. (1998)

The Hotheaded Naked Ice Borers, discovered in Antarctica by Dr. Aprile Pazzo. (Discover Magazine April 1995)

Naked Came the Stranger, ostensibly written by first time author Penelope Ash, which became a 1969 best seller.

The Tasmanian Mock Walrus, which could eat up a house full of cockroaches, and threatened to put exterminators out of business. (Orlando Sentinel 1984)

A report of “widespread” television interference throughout England caused by some women’s bras. (London Daily Mail, April 1, 1982)

If you read any of them and believed them you aren’t alone. A lot of other people fell for them. And no doubt, future pranks in print will find more victims.

Richard is also the author of three other books: Awe-Full Moments: Spirituality in the Commonplace, a book about blessings, change and hope; seeing God work in our lives through everyday events. It Made a Difference to that One is his book about how one person's actions can affected the lives of many others. Holy Humor: if this is Church, Why are we Laughing? is a collection of humors stories and jokes with a religious slant.

Richard resides in West Covina, California with his wife, Donna. They have been married 51 years and have two grown children, Christopher and Stephanie, and four energetic grandsons.

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ph: 909-594-5335
Richard@richardjbauman.com