The True History of OZ

A whispered legend has it that L. Frank Baum took his OZ story from a mysterious series of books called The True History of OZ.

Turns out, Baum stumbled upon this strange 5-volume history while going bankrupt running a general store in the Dakota Territories in 1890. 

Baum, at first, did not like these stories. They were dark, violent, full of revenge, terrible secrets, gangs, vice, war, apocalyptic magic, and more.

Nevertheless, Baum - so the still unproven legend has it - recognized the power of the stories and the characters. 

After reading and re-reading the 5 books dozens of times, he decided to turn it into a children’s story. He made it cute, silly, and sweet, and, of course, it then became one of the most beloved books ever, and he became a fabulously wealthy man.

From a bankrupt shopkeeper to one of the wealthiest men in America, in a few short years, from one short book. Very curious.

This whispered legend, though, tells a different story: The True History of OZ.