Title: Fall of the big top : the vanishing American circus /
Authors: Hammarstrom, David Lewis, 1940-
Publisher: McFarland & Company,
Year: 2008
Subjects: Circus United States History.
Abstract: "Explores circus history from 1793 to the present and addresses the cultural forces pushing big top shows toward "circus ballet." Numerous photographs and in-depth interviews conducted with show owners, performers and directors reveal a contrast between circuses of yesterday and today, and honor the outstanding performers who created and sustained the appeal of the circus"--Provided by publisher.
Contents: Preface -- The big one falls -- Back before Barnum -- American heyday -- Brother, can you spare a ring? -- Spectacles unsublime -- Mavericks on the midway -- Cirque du invasion -- Encore for the eighties -- Vanishing visions -- Laliberte latitudes -- Ringling in retreat -- Reparations for Jumbo? -- Gunther in black -- There go the shriners -- And the band did not play on -- Minus Clyde Beatty -- This way to the ballet -- Bumpin' back with a voice -- Big Apple delicious -- And in the only ring that matters -- Chapter notes -- Bibliography -- Index.