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June 25, 2008

The I, Libertine Hoax

Ilibfront_2 Over 50 years ago, one of the greatest media hoaxes ever was foisted upon New York City and the world at large. Overnight WOR-AM radio show host Jean Shepherd asked his listeners ("the Night People") to go into bookstores and ask for a book that didn't exist. Armed with a fictitious title and author, along with a vague plot outline, the Night People got their hooks in wherever they could. Fueled by bewildered bookstore owners and distributors, I, Libertine eventually did end up as a genuine bestseller. The crazy tale is recounted here in Shep's own words on Long John Nebel's radio show from 1968.

Jean Shepherd on Long John Nebel's radio show (MP3)

Posted by on June 25, 2008 at 04:42 AM in Dave the Spazz's Posts, Radio |

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Comments

Eugene B. Bergmann

Note that the I, LIBERTINE hoax as well as the rest of Shepherd's genius (as exemplified in radio, TV, film, performance, and the written word) is described and discussed in my book, EXCELSIOR, YOU FATHEAD! THE ART AND ENIGMA OF JEAN SHEPHERD, the only book about him.

EXCELSIOR!

Posted by: Eugene B. Bergmann | June 25, 2008 at 08:36 AM

Jeff Phinney

This story is so relavant to what's going on in this country today. Somewhere between now and then, us and them came back into being.

Posted by: Jeff Phinney | June 25, 2008 at 11:51 AM

EasyEW

I would be neglectful of my responsibilities to total strangers if I didn't point out the I, Libertine audiobook that was posted in 2006. Have fun.

Posted by: EasyEW | June 25, 2008 at 09:22 PM

Gary

I love this! I heard about the book, but didn't know the history behind the gag. Thank you so much.

Posted by: Gary | June 26, 2008 at 01:49 PM

Don

He may be dead and buried, but you can't keep a good man down.

Shep Lives!!!

Posted by: Don | June 26, 2008 at 06:14 PM

Don

He may be dead and buried, but you can't keep a good man down.

Shep Lives!!!

Posted by: Don | June 26, 2008 at 06:14 PM

SillyWilly

You forgot to mention that the actual book was written by legendary SF writer Theodore Sturgeon (More Than Human, Venus Plus X, The Dreaming Jewels, the "Shore Leave" and "Amok Time" episodes of STAR TREK) under a pseudonym.

Posted by: SillyWilly | June 27, 2008 at 03:21 PM

Hippie Zingo

Hey, wait a minute, how do we know your claim of having written a book: "EXCELSIOR, YOU FATHEAD! THE ART AND ENIGMA OF JEAN SHEPHERD" isn't a hoax, too?

Posted by: Hippie Zingo | June 27, 2008 at 04:55 PM

Fatherflot

H.L. Mencken (whom Shep often referred to) perpetrated his "Bathtub Hoax" in 1917:

Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathtub_hoax

Original column entitled "A Neglected Anniversary":
http://members.aol.com/zoticus/bathlib/menck/ambath.htm

Posted by: Fatherflot | June 30, 2008 at 09:15 PM

Duke Douglas

So when is Ballantine (or anyone who can get permission) going to reissue it at a price we casual readers can afford?
Has anyone here ever read it? (I found the narrator of the audio book annoying. No offense if he's reading...)

Posted by: Duke Douglas | February 01, 2009 at 05:15 PM

Stanley

Excelsior you fatheads!

Posted by: Stanley | June 02, 2009 at 10:42 PM

jay wilson

When about did this start? I have a big collection of Shep radio stuff which is dated, but not titled. I'd love to hear it.

Posted by: jay wilson | July 02, 2009 at 05:41 PM

Jim

Never saw the book before reading the Excelsior book, and I've been a book collector since the early 70s. But if I'd lived out East...it may have sold all its copies within a few hundred miles of NYC.

Posted by: Jim | May 05, 2010 at 02:50 AM

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