{"product_id":"clara-s-grand-tour-book-glynis-ridley-9781843540106","title":"Clara's Grand Tour","description":"Rhinoceroses were once considered extraordinary curiosities, the 'true unicorns' of the world. In 1741, Clara, a young rhino captured in Assam, was transported by ship to Holland where she would begin a Grand Tour of Europe to be displayed before ordinary people and the grandest of royal courts.  A rhinoceros eats up to 70 kilos of vegetation a day - two and a half tons a month - and Clara developed an uncommon fondness for sweets, beer and tobacco. In an age before railways and modern roads, the 3-ton Clara had to travel in an enormous coach drawn by eight horses. For seventeen years she journeyed across mainland Europe and to Britain where she became a great favourite of heads of state, including Frederick the Great; she modelled for scientific portraits and etchings; and she inspired poems, songs, fashions and expensive trinkets. As Clara's popularity threatened to decline, her owner orchestrated a series of recognisably modern publicity stunts: releasing news of Clara's certain imminent death, there would be a massive upsurge in interest, sympathy - and bookings. Clara eventually ended her tour in London, where she died of her own sweet tooth, a victim of bread and cakes.Glynis Ridley has wrought a sparkling portrait of this wonderful animal and the fascination and adoration she commanded, in an era that saw the rhinoceros as both the object of marvel and a challenge to both fundamental philosophical and theological beliefs.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49520524296465,"sku":"GOR010402904","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49581809959185,"sku":"GOR004506077","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51864769822993,"sku":"GOR003944890","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/184354010X.jpg?v=1751092069","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/clara-s-grand-tour-book-glynis-ridley-9781843540106","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}