American Sideshow : An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wondrous and Curiously Strange Performers
by Marc Hartzman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Marc HartzmanEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2005-11-17
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 304
Book Reviews of American Sideshow : An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wondrous and Curiously Strange Performers
Book Review: A broad overview that could use more depth
Summary: 3 Stars
American Sideshow is an encyclopedic guide to the performers, freaks and attractions that were found in the 10-in-1's and Single-O's that were found besides the circuses and along the fair midways across the nation until political correctness killed the entertainment that came from looking at a deformed person.
Like many encyclopedias, American Sideshow covers a wide range of topics, especially short biographies of hundreds of showmen and women. But also like many encyclopedias, the book lacks real depth. It never really digs into the life of the sideshow performer or even provides much depth about the bios of the attractions it intends to cover. It is simply a series of very brief biographical sketches of various performers interspersed with a sprinkling of general information about sideshows.
And given its structure as an encyclopedia rather than as a continuing narrative, the book really has no flow to it. Instead it jumps from one bio to the next, in no real order except, I suppose, alphabetical. Why not group people in the same shows together? Or group them by act? Or chronologically (done somewhat but not meaningfully in the current text).
The book just leaves the reader wanting more. More depth, more detail and more insight. The author has taken the reader to level 1 but the reader is left craving a trip to level 3 or higher.
If you want an introduction to the subject of sideshows and freaks, this is an OK place to start. Just understand that if the subject interests you at all, you are going to want to go well beyond what is in this text. Therefore I recommend it, but with some reservations.
More American Sideshow : An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wondrous and Curiously Strange Performers reviews:
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Summary of American Sideshow : An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wondrous and Curiously Strange Performers
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. Chang and Eng, the original Siamese twins. But what about Eli Bowen, the legless acrobat? Myrtle Corbin, the four-legged woman? Or Prince Randian, the human torso? All these and more were stars during the heyday of the American sideshow, from 1840 to 1950. American Sideshow chronicles the lives of truly amazing performers, examining these brave and extraordinary curiosities, not just as sideshow attractions, but as people, delving into the lives they led and how they were able to triumph over their abnormalities.
American Sideshow discusses the rise and fall of the original sideshows and their subsequent replacement by today's self-made freaks. With the progress of modern medicine, the physical abnormalities are disappearing, either through treatment or prevention; and, ironically, those same technological advancements now make it possible to change our bodies at will. It's amazing how easy it is to have your tongue forked, horns surgically implanted, or your earlobes removed. There are also modern-day giants, fire-eaters, fire-breathers, sword-swallowers, glass-eaters, human blockheads, and, oh, so much more.
These fascinating personalities are celebrated through intimate biographies paired with stunning photographs. Approximately 200 performers from the past 160 years are featured, giving readers a comprehensive and sometimes astonishing view of the history of the American sideshow.
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