The carnival sideshows of the past have left behind a fascinating legacy of mystery and intrigue. The secrets behind such daring feats as fire-eating and sword swallowing and bizarre exhibitions of human oddities as ‘Alligator Boys’ and ‘Gorilla Girls’ still remain, only grudgingly if ever given up by performers and carnival professionals. Working alongside the performers, Joe Nickell blows the lid off these mysteries of the midway. The author reveals the structure of the shows, specific methods behind the performances, and the showmen’s tactics for recruiting performers and attracting crowds. He also traces the history of such spectacles, from ancient Egyptian magic and street fairs to the golden age of P.T. Barnum’s sideshows. With revealing insight into the personal lives of the men and women billed as freaks, Nickell unfolds the captivating story of the midway show.
Joe Nickell
Secrets of the Sideshows
Secrets of the Sideshows
Langue Anglais ● Format EPUB ● Pages 424 ● ISBN 9780813137377 ● Taille du fichier 12.1 MB ● Maison d’édition The University Press of Kentucky ● Lieu Lexington ● Pays US ● Publié 2005 ● Téléchargeable 24 mois ● Devise EUR ● ID 2479698 ● Protection contre la copie Adobe DRM
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