Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines the history of the scientific fascination with stories of "wild children"
Trade Review"A captivating and disturbing book filled with fascinating narratives, provocative interpretations, and an almost encyclopedic scope - from scattered medieval references to extensive eighteenth-century debates to tragic episodes of the late twentieth century." Martin Staum, University of Calgary "From the Romulus and Remus imagery and writings of Procopius to the early modern era, the idea of children suckled and protected by wild animals like wolves or bears is doubly compelling with its reversal of the fear of predators and a display of animal kindness. Benzaquen takes her readers on a wide-ranging discussion of whether the children were idiots, frauds, or natural prodigies." David Higgs, University of Toronto
