From Rags to Ricketts and Other Essays on Circus History

From Rags to Ricketts and Other Essays on Circus History
Author: William L. Slout
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2012-02-07
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1434449386

William L. Slout, circus historian par excellence, here provides six essays on the development of the American circus. "From Rags to Ricketts: The Roots of Circus in Early Gotham" looks at the beginnings of circus entertainment in old New York City during the eighteenth century. "The Great Roman Hippodrome of 1874: P. T. Barnum's 'Crowning Effort'" describes the great showman's grand experiment: the collection and display in the Big Apple of the "largest collection of living wild animals in the world." "The Recycling of the Dan Rice Paris Pavilion Circus" tells the story of an American circus entrepreneur who took his traveling show to Europe in 1867. "Strange Bedfellows: The Pogey O'Brien Interval, 1874-1875" relates how O'Brien partnered with P. T. Barnum to take the circus master's show on the road while Barnum was creating his "Great Roman Hippodrome." "Two Rings and a Hippodrome Track" demonstrates that the first two-ring circus mounted by Barnum (or anyone else) occurred in 1873, and not 1872, as previously supposed. Finally, "The Adventures of James M. Nixon, Forgotten Impresario," describes the career of a major circus manager who worked between the 1843-75, directly competing with Barnum for the same audience--and eventually losing the struggle. Slout’s vivid accounts, highlighted by contemporaneous newspaper accounts of the excitement generated locally by these traveling shows, help bring a long-forgotten era alive again.

En Route to the Great Eastern Circus and Other Essays on Circus History

En Route to the Great Eastern Circus and Other Essays on Circus History
Author: William L. Slout
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2016-04-13
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1434437604

William L. Slout, entertainment historian par excellence, here provides five fascinating essays on the development of the American traveling circus in the post-Civil War era: "En Route to the Great Eastern Circus" (on the creation of this great show); "The Great Eastern Circus of 1872" (more details about one of P. T. Barnum's rivals); "The Not-So-Great Trans-Atlantic Circus and Menagerie" (how a show failed suddenly in a yellow fever epidemic); "What Goes Up...Comes Down" (how balloning became part of the circus environment); and "The Chicken or the Egg?" (on the first development of the double-ring act pioneered by Barnum and others). These vivid essays, highlighted by numerous contemporaneous excerpts from local newspapers, help bring a long-forgotten era alive again.

The Burial of Alma

The Burial of Alma
Author: William L. Slout
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 180
Release: 2010-06-01
Genre: Drama
ISBN: 1434411524

This modern comedy highlights the clash between Denver Littlefield, a history professor at a California University, and his actress wife, Sarah Coleman, whose sudden surge in popularity after being cast in a popular soap opera threatens to swamp her husband's image and career.

The Circus, And Other Essays And Fugitive Pieces

The Circus, And Other Essays And Fugitive Pieces
Author: Joyce Kilmer
Publisher: Namaskar Books
Total Pages: 183
Release: 2024-10-22
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN:

Step into the vivid imagination of Joyce Kilmer with "The Circus, and Other Essays and Fugitive Pieces." This remarkable collection showcases Kilmer's gift for capturing the beauty and complexity of life through a blend of lyrical prose and poignant essays. As you explore Kilmer's reflections, you'll be transported to whimsical places, each infused with his deep appreciation for nature and humanity. His words invite readers to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and to embrace the richness of everyday experiences. But here's a thought to consider: What if the true essence of life is found not in grand spectacles but in the quiet moments we often overlook? Can the mundane hold as much beauty as the extraordinary? In "The Circus," Kilmer’s essays reveal the interplay of joy and sorrow, laughter and contemplation. His insightful observations challenge us to reflect on our own lives and the world around us, making this collection a treasure trove of wisdom. Are you ready to embark on a journey of introspection and wonder with "The Circus, and Other Essays and Fugitive Pieces"? Discover the art of seeing the world through Kilmer's eyes! As you navigate through his eloquent prose, you'll find yourself inspired to pause and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. This collection is perfect for readers who seek to enrich their understanding of life through literature. Will you open your heart to the magic of Kilmer's words? Grab your copy of "The Circus, and Other Essays and Fugitive Pieces" today and celebrate the beauty of existence!

From Rags to Ricketts and Other Essays on Circus History

From Rags to Ricketts and Other Essays on Circus History
Author: William L. Slout
Publisher:
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2012-01-01
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1434444287

William L. Slout, circus historian par excellence, here provides six essays on the development of the American circus. "From Rags to Ricketts: The Roots of Circus in Early Gotham" looks at the beginnings of circus entertainment in old New York City during the eighteenth century. "The Great Roman Hippodrome of 1874: P. T. Barnum's 'Crowning Effort'" describes the great showman's grand experiment: the collection and display in the Big Apple of the "largest collection of living wild animals in the world." "The Recycling of the Dan Rice Paris Pavilion Circus" tells the story of an American circus entrepreneur who took his traveling show to Europe in 1867. "Strange Bedfellows: The Pogey O'Brien Interval, 1874-1875" relates how O'Brien partnered with P. T. Barnum to take the circus master's show on the road while Barnum was creating his "Great Roman Hippodrome." "Two Rings and a Hippodrome Track" demonstrates that the first two-ring circus mounted by Barnum (or anyone else) occurred in 1873, and not 1872, as previously supposed. Finally, "The Adventures of James M. Nixon, Forgotten Impresario," describes the career of a major circus manager who worked between the 1843-75, directly competing with Barnum for the same audience--and eventually losing the struggle. Slout's vivid accounts, highlighted by contemporaneous newspaper accounts of the excitement generated locally by these traveling shows, help bring a long-forgotten era alive again.

Straight

Straight
Author: Hanne Blank
Publisher: Beacon Press
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2012-01-31
Genre: History
ISBN: 080704444X

It's surprising that the term "heterosexuality" is less than 150 years old and that heterosexuality's history has never before been written, given how obsessed we are with it. In Straight, independent scholar Hanne Blank delves deep into the contemporary psyche as well as the historical record to chronicle the realm of heterosexual relations--a subject that is anything but straight and narrow. Consider how Catholic monasticism, the reading of novels, the abolition of slavery, leisure time, divorce, and constipation of the bowels have all at some time been labeled enemies of the heterosexual state. With an extensive historical scope and plenty of juicy details and examples, Straight provides a fascinating look at the vagaries, schisms, and contradictions of what has so often been perceived as an irreducible fact of nature.