In this week's episode, I reflect on some famous American literary hoaxes--where the "hoaxer" always calls the truth a hoax--and I wonder what if anything they have to do with our current use of the term "hoax." I examine Edgar Allan Poe's "The Balloon Hoax," Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter and Ben Franklin's (as Poor Richard Saunders) prediction that his rival Titan Leeds will suddenly fall dead at the exact moment he predicts.
I also offer some brief, but sincere concern for the millions suffering right now.
Thanks
Keywords:
Kimmy Schmidt
Edgar Allen Poe “The Balloon Hoax”
Monck Mason
Harrison Ainsworth
Asa Carter The Education of Little Tree
Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlett Letter
H.G. Wells The War of the Worlds
Orson Wells The War of the Worlds
William Kennedy Ironweed
Titan Leeds
Daniel Leeds
The Jersey Devil
Benjamin Franklin Poor Richard’s Almanack
