From the FOREWORD. THE Georgia Wonder was a national phenomenon. Lulu Hurst's teenage performances in the 1880s were written up in newspapers, scientific journals and magazines of all sorts. A slight girl, she would stand on stage and challenge men to lift her off of the ground. At one moment a large man could raise her from the stage and at the next would find himself powerless to do so. It was as if she controlled gravity. Another stunt was to stand while holding a pool cue horizontally in front of her and have a number of men push against her. They were unable to push her off her spot. Yet another stunt was to have three men sit on a chair and the apparently lift the chair and men from the ground. This autobiography, chronicles her life, culminating in an expos� of how she performed her feats. This book will interest: magicians, scientists in general, physicists in particular, feminists, those who follow the occult arts, and readers who would like to glimpse a life led by a teenage girl in the late 1800s. -Bob Friedhoffer

Improbable, far-fetched, real? Today's science headlines read like futuristic tales. From nanobots and neutrinos to architeuthis, the real is often stranger than the most speculative sci fi. In that vein, the latest edition of Tin House features fiction, poetry, and nonfiction that go beyond the headlines into current, past, and future scientific explanations of "reality." There may even be speculative fiction, if there are humans involved. Tin House is a beautifully designed periodical that features the best writers of our time alongside a new generation of talent. Content includes unique departments such as "Lost and Found," in which writers review overlooked or underrated books, and "Blithe Spirits" and "Readable Feast," which present tales and literary recipes for drinks and food.