Battle for the big top : P.T. Barnum, James Bailey, John Ringling, and the death-defying saga of the American circus / Les Standiford.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Standiford, Les, author.

Contributor:

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Circus--United States--History.

Circus.

Bailey, James Anthony, 1847-1906.

Bailey, James Anthony.

Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor), 1810-1891.

Barnum, P. T.

Ringling, John, 1866-1936.

Ringling, John.

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows.

United States.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

x, 255 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (black and white) ; 21 cm

Edition:

First trade paperback edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Public Affairs, Hachette Book Group, 2022.

Summary:

"Millions have sat under the "big top," watching as trapeze artists glide and clowns entertain, but few know the captivating stories behind the men who shaped the circus. Battle for the Big Top is the untold story of the battles of the three circus kings--James Bailey, P.T. Barnum, and John Ringling--all vying for control of the vastly profitable and widely influential American Circus. New York Times bestselling author Les Standiford recreates a remarkable era when a community--without regard for gender, creed, or nationality--would be captivated by the spectacle created by three diversely talented individuals who transcended the ordinary. Ultimately, the rivalry of these three men resulted in the creation of an institution that would surpass all intentions and, for 147 years, hold a nation spellbound. Filled with details of their ever-evolving showmanship, business strategies, and personal magnetism, this Ragtime-like narrative will delight and enchant circus-lovers everywhere"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: One. World on Fire

Two. Before the Big Top

Three. The Periodic Table of Circus Elements

Foor. On American Shores

Five. Pachyderm on the Half Shell

Six. Readying for Takeoff

Seven. How They Roll

Eight. What's in a Name?

Nine. Growing a Stake

Ten. Clash of the Titans

Eleven. A Showman Hits His Stride

Twelve. First Tour of Duty

Thirteen. Museum Master

Fourteen. General Tom

Fifteen. Est Arrive

Sixteen. Riches to Rags, and Back Again

Seventeen. The Circus Comes Calling

Eighteen. Mr. B, Meet Mr. B

Nineteen. On Massive Shoulders

Twenty. The Greatest Show

Twenty-One. Upstarts

Twenty-Two. The Coming Men

Twenty-Three. Punch and Counterpunch

Twenty-Four. Building a Leviathan

Twenty-Five. Terms of Success

Twenty-Six. The Price of Love

Twenty-Seven. Last Man Standing

Twenty-Eight. Patriarch of Paradise

Twenty-Nine. The Last Race

Thirty. After the Ball

Thirty-One. Out of the Ashes

Thirty-Two. Rock and Roll to the Rescue

Thirty-Three. What Remains.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

ISBN:

9781541762275

1541762274

OCLC:

1199127731

Publisher Number:

99991057218