Which author had the heaviest brain? What was the original title of 1984? When did cigarettes first appear in English literature? And, while we're at it, who wrote the first Western, and is there any link between asthma and literary genius? Sutherland's irreverent literary exploration illuminates every topic imaginable from author advances to Civil War literature to Victorian sex to odd things eaten by literary characters (think Patrick Bateman's girlfriend in American Psycho). This is a treasure trove of fascinating information for all book lovers.;Literary baked meats -- The body of literature: heads, lungs, hearts, and bowels -- Tools of the trade -- Sex and the Victorians -- Better than sex, some say -- Some curious literary records: best, worst, and most -- Literary crimewatch (and gunplay) -- Who? Who? Who? -- Name games -- Readers: distinguished and less distinguished -- Mammon and the book trade -- Wheels -- Morbid curiosity -- Curious connections: a terminal quiz.