The rise of the American circus, 1716-1899 / S.L. Kotar and J.E. Gessler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kotar, S. L.

Contributor:

Gessler, J. E.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Circus--United States--History--18th century.

Circus.

Circus--United States--History--19th century.

History.

United States.

Physical Description:

viii, 354 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co., [2011]

Summary:

"It introduces the early pioneers of the circus, addresses business concerns such as management and training, and discusses the development of the show itself, including the incorporation of menageries, the need for animal training and care, the addition of circus music, the use of the tent, and the unique attractions of side shows and "freaks.""--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 When the Circus Became a Circus 5

2 The Circus Comes to Town 14

3 Competition in the Riding School/Amphitheatre/Circus 22

4 The Evolving Circus 28

5 Getting Away from the "Circus" 35

6 The Circus Comes to America 48

7 The Century of the Circus 64

8 Equestrian Drama Finds a Home 78

9 "In the Rude State of Nature" 91

10 The Circus Tent 101

11 "Horrible: A Man Devoured by Tigers" 109

12 The Era of P. T. Barnum and the "Great Lion Tamer" 121

13 Variety, Novelty and Splendor 139

14 A Small Field of Competition 152

15 "A Regular Out-and-Outer" 166

16 "Gulling" the "Dear People" 180

17 Circuses and Menageries in the Civil War Era 188

18 Everything's Hunkidori: Moral Exhibitions, Aggregations and the "Ku-Klux-Kan" 199

19 Sawdust and Spangles 216

20 "Fully in Keeping with the Present Age" 238

21 Privilegers, Flash Folk, Fakirs and Bunco Men 256

22 The Original Monster Makers 267

23 Canvassing the Landscape 277

24 The Allurement of Sawdust and Tights 290

25 The State of the Circus 304

26 "A Little World in Itself" 314.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780786461592

0786461594

OCLC:

707825577