A Colossal Hoax: The Giant from Cardiff that Fooled America

by Scott Tribble

In October 1869, as America stood on the brink of becoming a thoroughly modern nation, workers unearthed what appeared to be a petrified ten-foot giant on a remote farm in upstate New York. The discovery caused a sensation. Over the next several months, newspapers devoted daily headlines to the story and tens of thousands of Americans-including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the great showman P. T. Barnum-flocked to see the giant on exhibition. In the colossus, many saw evidence that their continent, and the tiny hamlet of Cardiff, had ties to Biblical history. American science also weighed in on the discovery; and in doing so revealed its own growing pains, including the shortcomings of traditional education, the weaknesses of archaeological methodology, as well as the vexing presence of amateurs and charlatans within its ranks. A national debate ensued over the giant's origins, and was played out in the daily press. Ultimately, the discovery proved to be an elaborate hoax. Still, the story of the Cardiff Giant reveals many things about America in the post-Civil War years. After four years of destruction on an unimagined scale, Americans had increasingly turned their attention to the renewal of progress. But the story of the Cardiff Giant seemed to shed light on a complicated, mysterious past, and for a time scientists, clergymen, newspaper editors, and ordinary Americans struggled to make sense of it. Hucksters, of course, did their best to take advantage of it. The Cardiff Giant was one of the leading questions of the day, and how citizens answered it said much about Americans in 1869 as well as about America more generally.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

328 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2008

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally, it's been nearly 150 years since the Cardiff Giant was unearthed on October 16, 1869. I wonder if there is going to be any notice save at the museum which it currently resides. Of course, they might have to review it's history from conception by George Hull who originally constructed it as a hoax against the religious professionals that extolled the Bible giants to it's home in the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown, NY.

Maybe they'd even refer to this book since Tribble goes into the history of Hull, "Stump" Newell (owner of the farm where the giant was buried) as well as the investors and the sensational journalism that populated the media industry at the time - don't worry about checking facts or truths. P.T. Barnum had a similar idea to 'humbug' the people - more for entertainment value rather than to insult or ridicule anyone - and Gull's giant didn't prevent him from having his own constructed when the syndicate that owned Cardiff refused to sell to him. In fact, there were several giants wandering about in order to cash in on the notoriety of the original.

Instead of what the giant intended to say about religion and the Bible, people seized what the giant supposedly said about America and it's past - mysterious civilizations or settlements lost in the centuries. Although it was originally thought to be a petrified man, public opinion decided the giant was a statue and eventually, concluded to be a hoax which brought the spotlight on the gullibility of our neighbors and parents.

What makes it interesting for me is that I have spent many years in the Syracuse area - about 22 miles from the village of Cardiff - and many of the names are familiar as streets, parks, buildings and/or memorials in the area.

2019-105

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a historical event I've been interested in since my undergraduate archeology course. The Cardiff Giant was a ten-foot tall stone statue uncovered on a farm in Cardiff, NY believed to be a "petrified man" and a giant like those of the Bible. People traveled from all over the eastern seaboard to see it, scientists debated about its origin and scientific value, and the Cardiff Giant eventually went out on a traveling exhibit. It was later revelealed to be a hoax created and planted there by George Hull.

Scott Tribble thoughtfully tracks the Cardiff Giant from its creator's inception in the 1860's to all the hubbub it caused, from the discovery of its fraudalence and how Americans have romanticized/criticized it over time.

Tribble is at his best when he tries to recreate the narrative. At several points, I felt like he relied too heavily on newspaper stories--the Courier said this, the Syracuse Daily Standard reported, blah blah, although I'm not sure how he could have avoided this. The book dragged in places, but I'm glad to have read it.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book sounded intriguing when I saw it at the library, so I checked it out. It is kind of a random piece of American history, but I think the author went a bit overboard with details. The book could been much shorter without sacrificing any information. (I don't really care what every newspaper in the country said in every article.)

And I really don't like the word "thusly". "Thus" is a perfectly good adverb, do we think it becomes a better adverb if we add the letters "ly" to the end?

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this book to teach fourth-graders the importance of verifying information and trusting sources. They were initially intrigued with "the giant" and had varied opinions about the hoax. However, as we read on, there were too many side stories and details that confused students this age. I ended up having to abridge the story with my own Powerpoint.

Personally, I thought it was an interesting piece of nonfiction about an incident of which I had no knowledge.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject itself is interesting enough; I like reading about hoaxes, especially older, famous ones. Unfortunately, the author's writing is dry, and he tends to go on slight rabbit trails, giving the reader way more extraneous information than they need. It tends to bury the main plotline at times.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The research involved in this book is spectacularly thorough and is important far beyond the scope of the Cardiff Giant.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting glimpse into the late 1800s