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American Sideshow
A fascinating look into the history of the American sideshow and its performers. Learn what's real, what's fake, and what's just downright bizarre.
You've probably heard of Tom Thumb. The Elephant Man. Perhaps even Chang and Eng, the original Siamese twins. But what about Eli Bowen, the legless acrobat? Or Prince Randian, the human torso? These were just a few of the many...more
You've probably heard of Tom Thumb. The Elephant Man. Perhaps even Chang and Eng, the original Siamese twins. But what about Eli Bowen, the legless acrobat? Or Prince Randian, the human torso? These were just a few of the many...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
September 21st 2006
by Tarcher
(first published 2005)
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Perhaps the most widely-researched book of its kind that I've read; but perhaps it is that which lost it a few stars for me. In his attempt to fit in all the possible relevant material, some of the biographies come off as rather trite, and the descriptions aren't anywhere near as sympathetic as those in similar books I've read.
All in all, I'd recommend Daniel Mannix's book Freaks before this one, but it's definitely a volume worth having on your shelf.
All in all, I'd recommend Daniel Mannix's book Freaks before this one, but it's definitely a volume worth having on your shelf.
When I was smaller, I found my mother's battered copy of "Very Special People," outlining the lives of certain sideshow performers of carnival heyday. I loved the book then, and I was so glad to find this larger book with more up to date information on many of the individuals from Very Special People, as well as performers still working today.
This book truly is fantastic. Mr. Hartzman does a LOT of research on which he's written, so it's not some "OK-here's-some-freaks-enjoy" sort of book. It deals with the history of the sideshows, from the days of first inception to today, as well as 'teaching' you the lingo of the carnys and the methods they used to draw a crowd. People today think that 'freakshows' are something to be banned, as modern thinking and medicine can help (even cure!) an affliction that, say, 100 years ago wo...more
I've always found myself unusually drawn to the unusual. This includes, to a great degree, circus folk. So, when I saw a single copy of American Sideshow in the theatre section at the bookstore I immediately honed in. This book is a treasure chest of information about sideshow performers throughout America's history that will never leave my personal library.
American Sideshow gives us short vignettes on, easily, more than a hundred different midway "freaks". But don't let th...more
American Sideshow gives us short vignettes on, easily, more than a hundred different midway "freaks". But don't let th...more
I read this in a couple of hours today. Water for elephants reawakened my love of circus history as Freaks did when I first saw that film 10 years ago. If I ever need a new career circus historian it will be. I appreciated the encyclopedia format and found I was not quite interested enough to read the bios of EVERY fat man/woman, dwarf/little person, set of conjoined twins or bearded lady - lots of these individuals profiled here. Interestingly, a lot of people who were from or settled in Ohio.
I would've given this book 5 stars if it wasn't for the last few chapters. Included in the end of the book are modern American sideshow acts and they are nothing more than self-made freaks. Not remotely interesting. They may be cool people. I don't know. But they had no place among the great ones, Commodore Nutt, Tom Thumb, Chang/Eng. It felt really anachronistic to be reading about Barnum's acts and then suddenly some couple who gets lots of tattoos. Big deal! It's a completely different era. T...more
While probably intended to be shocking and fascinating, I walked away more touched. Despite being deformed, these sideshow performers are HAPPY. They are a lesson for all of us.
Comprehensive guide to "freaks" from the early (and not so early) days of the carnival sideshows. Probably more information than you'll ever want to know.
Wow! What a book. I loved the photographs and the little tid-bit's about the "freaks" that made us all wonder and amazed during the carnival sideshow times.
I can't say I read the WHOLE thing because it's an encyclopedia but it's definitely worth a look. It is particularly interesting to read that, despite what you might think or assume, many of these people led fulfilling lives (and why shouldn't they?). You can argue all you want about whether it is degrading for someone to perform in a sideshow, but in the Victorian era on to the 1950s, it was nearly impossible for people with such disabilities to earn a living. I'm glad that it's changed-- that ...more
The book was fill with fascinating and bizarre people. Many had very sad lives, but some were able to live well despite it all.
A great overview of the sideshow from it's earliest years to the modern incarnation, although I did find the stories of the performers from the 'golden' and 'silver' eras to be much more interesting than the 'modern' performers, who seem to be almost entirely self-made through tattoos, piercings, or performances. To me, if you've read about one guy who has covered himself in tattoos and piercings and learned to swallow swords, eat glass, and/or lift weights with his (insert body part), you've k...more
picked up in the bargain bin and i really enjoyed it. interesting history of the sideshow with some interviews with people who are still living today. well researched and attention grabbing. lots of pictures and easy to read. great for people who aren't avid readers but who are interested in the subject.
This book is about the different people who were sideshow workers at the circus over a period of time. Some of the people led sad lives, but many found love and enjoyment in what they did. I found it very interesting to see how the circus was and still is a world of its own.
I bought this book for my high school students for sustained silent reading purely for high-interest. I was pleasantly suprised that it lead to discussions about respect for others and how our culture's notions of deformity have changed.
i finally finished this book after being given it years ago:) i really enjoyed it. i've had a fascination with circus acts for a while now and i really enjoyed reading about all the interesting people who make up these acts.
I didn't read it cover to cover. It's moreso one of those books that you kind of gawk through and when you see a picture or person that sounds interesting, you read their blurb. Weird interesting stuff though.
A reference book, more than anything else--erm, like most encyclopedias. Pretty interesting; alternately inspiring and sad. I read it right after I saw "Freaks"--a bunch of the stars are featured in this book.
This was an easy read. Sometimes you have to have some junk food. And this was the equivalent of a nice, greasy burger. Maybe there was no nutritional value, but it went down ok.
This was a cute book. It was nice to hear more about performers backgrounds. Some of their stories of how they ended up performing are just amazing.
A wondrous look into the world of the carnival freak show. Excellent descriptions of each freak, and great old timey photos.
Appeals to my sideshow freakness. I vow to read more books about parasitic twins, conjoined twins, etc.
Elle
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Shelves:
art,
general,
united,
states,
entertainment,
performing,
arts,
biography,
autobiography,
dictionaries,
circus,
performers,
sideshows
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