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Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women
by
Ricky Jay
A cult classic and a work of remarkable scholarship, this title is an investigation into the inspired world of side shows, circuses, and singularly talented performers. Jay's unparalleled collection of books, posters, photographs, programs, broadsides, and data about unjustifiably forgotten entertainers all over the world made this unique book possible.
Paperback, 356 pages
Published
November 1st 1998
by Noonday Press
(first published 1986)
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Ricky Jay is one of the world's most accomplished showmen, a world-renowned magician and sleight-of-hand artist, particularly famed for his card-throwing stunts. (He is the author of Cards as Weapons.) In this affectionate and entertaining book, Jay presents a mind-boggling array of oddball performers, everything from calculating horses to armless artists. Jay's style has a trace of the academic to it, but he wears his mantle of scholarship in a rakish manner. One can imagine a twinkle in Jay's...more
I REALLY like this book but it wasn't amazingl I wish there were a 4 1/2 rating. Ricky Jay, apparently a well-known magician has written a book on the extremely interesting offbeat "stars" of the past vaudeville-type entertainment. His style is extremely good and very easy to read and he includes some great humor. This book was one of the bases for the book Pyg which I reviewed elsewhere. But it also deals with several armless and/or legless wonders who could paint (the armless woman, Miss Biffi...more
A look at some of the freaks, wonders, curiosities and con men of the past. From mentalists like Harry Kahne to limbless marvels like Matthew Buchinger and Sarah Biffin, from water spouters to growers, from learned animals of all types to Max Petomane the farting impressionist, there’s quite a lot to wonder at.
Some of the acts get only the briefest of mentions, which left me a bit dissatisfied, more questions arising than facts presented. When Jay deigns to write a lengthier investigation, compl...more
Some of the acts get only the briefest of mentions, which left me a bit dissatisfied, more questions arising than facts presented. When Jay deigns to write a lengthier investigation, compl...more
A cult classic and a work of remarkable scholarship, this title is an investigation into the inspired world of side shows, circuses, and singularly talented performers. Jay's unparalleled collection of books, posters, photographs, programs, broadsides, and data about unjustifiably forgotten entertainers all over the world made this unique book possible.
The best story in this great, invaluable collection of magic, carnival and curiosity stories is the one about Johnny Eck, a man with just a torso for a body who was featured in Tod Browning's cult movie Freaks. Eck's identical twin brother was recruited by a magician to be the chosen member of the audience to undergo the classic sawed-in-half-in-a-box trick. Unbeknownst to the audience, the twin was substituted onstage with a "man" comprise of Eck and a dwarf who wore a pair of pants from head t...more
A fun read and glimpse into another time... The one drawback is brief discussion about animal cruelty in some of the acts. I'm glad the book is factual but it made me really dislike a few of the performers. Re: animal rights, amazing audiences of another time would accept this behavior as "entertainment".
A well-written book on a fascinating subject. While it's not Ricky Jay's fault that the sources on stories included herein are scarce and untrustworthy, it does make for a frustrating read. The catalog nature of the book means there's little depth, and often a dry breadth to the list of individuals, acts, and events presented.
Ricky Jay is a famous magician and historian of magic (you may have seen him in some of David Mamet's movies).
In this book he describes some performance acts that will amaze you. It will expand your conception of what human beings are capable of.
In this book he describes some performance acts that will amaze you. It will expand your conception of what human beings are capable of.
An excellent history of 'eccentric' entertainers - singing mice, armless violininists and human volcanoes. Beautifully illustrated with reproductions of old publicity material, this is a must for all lovers of the strange and stupifying.
I'm a sucker for sideshows and cons, plus there somethings lyrically soothing about the way Ricky Jay writes about it all.
This is more a reference book than a straight read, but that didn't stop me.
This is more a reference book than a straight read, but that didn't stop me.
A great book that gives some history on the circus sideshow performers of the past and the lives they lived. Interesting.
OMG really? I've never even heard of this book before. Ooh I gotta get it!!
Dec 31, 2008
Jim
marked it as to-read
I have this, and I should read it soon Ithink.
One of my Dad's favorite books!
Jay's Journal of Anomalies is better, less simplistic. When he wants to be, he's a crackerjack writer. Who knew? Plus, I can never get enough flea circuses.
A crazy anthology of weirdo stuff, collected by my current hero Ricky Jay, magic and oddity historian extraordinare.
My favorite chapters concern the Learned Pig who wowed Boston in the early 1700s with his whizbang intellect and titillating autobiography and the story of Mathew Buchinger, the armless, legless calligrapher, magician, trick bowler, mind reader and lover who became known as "THE GREATEST GERMAN LIVING" during his lifetime.
My favorite chapters concern the Learned Pig who wowed Boston in the early 1700s with his whizbang intellect and titillating autobiography and the story of Mathew Buchinger, the armless, legless calligrapher, magician, trick bowler, mind reader and lover who became known as "THE GREATEST GERMAN LIVING" during his lifetime.
A fantastic collection of odd people and odder stories that you couldn't find anywhere else. If you're into magicians, entertainers, or just weird history in general, this is a great read.
This book was recommended to me by Goodreads, because I liked a book on Houdini and other illusionists. I must admit I liked the other book better then this one. It's a great catalogue of eccentric entertainers, but it's a bit dry. The flyers, pictures and other original pieces about the history of entertainment are quite interesting,
haven't read it yet but I love Ricky's work and he is a very nice man, very intelligent and very enthusiastic about his work. I am sure I will love this book whenever I am able to pick it up somewhere.
I never get tired of this.
#6 for 2009.
May 23, 2013
Neil McCrea
marked it as to-read
May 22, 2013
Molly
is currently reading it
May 19, 2013
Kevwhall
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May 18, 2013
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May 13, 2013
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May 10, 2013
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May 09, 2013
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Ricky Jay (born Richard Jay Potash in 1948) is an American stage magician, actor, and writer.
Born to a Jewish-American family, Jay is considered one of the most knowledgeable and skilled sleight-of-hand experts in the United States. He is notable for his signature card tricks, card throwing, memory feats, and stage patter. At least two of his shows, Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants and On the Stem,...more
More about Ricky Jay...
Born to a Jewish-American family, Jay is considered one of the most knowledgeable and skilled sleight-of-hand experts in the United States. He is notable for his signature card tricks, card throwing, memory feats, and stage patter. At least two of his shows, Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants and On the Stem,...more
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