Lawrence Weschler's _Mr Wilson's Cabinet of Wonder_ has been
mentioned on this list.  This book is indeed a wonderful read.
Weschler records many interviews with MJT's founder David Wilson,
talked at length with fans and critics of MJT, and followed leads
from Culver City back to the Tradescants and back again. The subtitle
on the dust-jacket: Pronged ants, horned humans, mice on toast, and
other marvels of Jurassic Technology. The Age of the Marvelous is still
with us.