The most bizarre book ever. Yes, really!

This may the *the* most bizarre book ever published in the English language, or indeed any language. The Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania promoted a personality cult of Ceausescu's wife Elena, claiming that she was an "internationally renowned scientist". Of course, Elena Ceausescu was nothing of the kind, all her scientific accomplishments being faked for propaganda purposes.

The papers published in this volume, "Research work on synthesis and characterization of macromolecular compounds" are all attributed to the dictator's wife. She supposedly headed a whole team of scientists, whose names have also been included. I think it's safe to assume that they are the real authors, and that Elena's name was tacked on later.

I admit that I can't judge whether or not this book gives a good or bad update on macromolecular compounds. My grasp of chemistry is probably as bad as Mrs. Ceausescu's! Otherwise, I note that my copy of Elena's purported opus is withdrawn from the Science Library of the University College of North Wales. It even includes bilingual library marks (English and Welsh), adding some extra spice to an already very bizarre work...