Baron Munchausen's absurd adventures have entertained adults and children alike for more than two centuries. First published in England in 1785, his traveller's tales soon became as well known as those of his near contemporaries, Gulliver and Robinson Crusoe - but are a great deal funnier The real Baron Munchhausen was a German aristocrat whose colourful military career and sporting experiences provided ample material for the after-dinner stories for which he became notorious. One of the guests at the Baron's table was Rudolf Erich Raspe, librarian, scientist and writer, who later, hard-up...