Fall of the big top
Subtitle: the vanishing American circus
By: David Lewis Hammarstrom.
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc.
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Jefferson, N.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 231
ISBN-13: 9780786431694
Subjects: Circus -- United States -- History
Description: "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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 225) and index.
Table of contents: title: The big one falls; title: Back before Barnum; title: American heyday; title: Brother, can you spare a ring?; title: Spectacles unsublime; title: Mavericks on the midway; title: Cirque du invasion; title: Encore for the eighties; title: Vanishing visions; title: Laliberte latitudes; title: Ringling in retreat; title: Reparations for Jumbo?; title: Gunther in black; title: There go the Shriners; title: And the band did not play on; title: Minus Clyde Beatty; title: This way to the ballet; title: Bumpin' back with a voice; title: Big apple delicious; title: And in the only ring that matters.