Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to search

History North America

Circus and Carnival Ballyhoo

Sideshow Freaks, Jabbers and Blade Box Queens

by (author) A.W. Stencell

Publisher
ECW Press
Initial publish date
Aug 2010
Category
North America, Circus
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781550228809
    Publish Date
    Aug 2010
    List Price
    $26.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781554906260
    Publish Date
    Aug 2010
    List Price
    $18.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

From Lentini the three-legged man and Siamese twins to equipment caravans and big top architects, this captivating collection lifts the striped curtain to reveal the larger-than-life world of circuses, carnivals, and freak shows in post-World War II America. Copious never-before-seen photographs, in-depth historical research, and insightful interviews with former sideshow employees illustrate the development of the circus sideshow, the roles of key groups?the freaks, working acts, managers, talkers?and the importance of the grift.

About the author

Contributor Notes

A. W. Stencell owned and operated his own circus for 19 years and is a former president of the Circus Historical Society. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.