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ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Genre: History, Popular Culture, Archaeology, Trivia

Book Review:
Harvey Rachlin's ''Jumbo's Hide, Elvis's Ride, and the Tooth of Buddha'' is an utterly delightful and endlessly fascinating romp through the quirky byways of history. Following in the footsteps of his previous book, Lucy's Bones, Sacred Stones, and Einstein's Brain, which also inspired the History Channel's popular series History's Lost and Found, Rachlin once again proves himself a master storyteller of the strange and wonderful lives of historical artifacts.

The book's title alone gives a taste of its eclectic contents. From the sublime to the ridiculous, from the glorious to the grotesque, Rachlin presents forty captivating tales. Each chapter focuses on a single object—a tangible piece of the past—and unravels its unique story. We learn of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta and their perilous journeys through history. We are regaled with the madcap police search to recover Marilyn Monroe's iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch. And yes, we even encounter the sacred Tooth of Buddha, exploring its own remarkable history as a relic.

As Publishers Weekly notes, this is ''an irresistible, edifying romp through the centuries.'' Rachlin's writing is accessible, engaging, and infused with a sense of wonder. He demonstrates that these objects are not just valuable collector's items; they are ''small, yet extremely influential parts of history,'' as Booklist aptly puts it. Each essay opens a window onto the past, giving us a glimpse into the time from which the object came and the lives it has touched.

Kirkus Reviews called it ''a bodacious artifactual romp through history,'' and that description is perfect. This book will appeal to history buffs, trivia enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a good story. It's the kind of book you can dip into at random, guaranteed to find a tale that will surprise, amuse, and enlighten. A wonderful, quirky, and thoroughly enjoyable read.