Jay's Journal of Anomalies

Author and actor Ricky Jay (Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women) gathers four years of his quarterly Jay's Journal of Anomalies in one volume of the same name. An expert on the improbable, Jay trains his curiosity on unusual forms of entertainment and recorded history, and entries include ""A Compendium of Giant Children"" and ""A Verbally Challenging Bestiary."" He has unearthed gems like an advertisement for ""Miss Silvia, Skandenavian Ceiling Walker"" and a centuries-long fascination with the public spectacle of nose amputation. Jay's new one-man show, Ricky Jay on Broadway, opening this spring, and his role in Mamet's forthcoming movie Heist promise publicity for this witty and bizarre collection. Color illus. ( May 2)