Giants of Nova Scotia

Description

This double biography depicts the lives of the famed Nova Scotia giantess Anna Swan (1846-88) and the celebrated Cape Breton giant Angus McAskill (1825-63). These two splendid and singular celebrities toured the world entertaining royalty and impressing audiences from town halls to palaces. Angus and Anna’s Scottish influences were deeply embedded from childhood and although it was unlikely the two ever met, the similarities in their lives were uncanny. During their adventures, both giants worked with and met many unusual characters. Both met Queen Victoria. Anna married an American giant and the two toured as “The Tallest Married Couple in the World.” The book explores the causes of gigantism and how this rare condition shaped the lives and personalities of these two Nova Scotians. Anna and Angus were born to normal-sized, hard-working parents and grew up in rural surroundings but rose to great stardom on the world stage. Both were regarded for their kind hearts and compassion for others. They have left a meaningful message for readers that resonates more than a century after their deaths. Both are honoured at museums in Nova Scotia that house their artifacts. Thousands of people flock to these sites to learn about these great giants.

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