Spectacular, spectacular!
The history and legacy of the circus
At its heyday, the American circus was the largest show-biz industry the world had ever seen. From the mid-1800s to mid-1900s, traveling circuses performed for audiences of up
to 14,000 per show, employed as many as 1,600 men and women, and crisscrossed the country on 20,000 miles of railroad in one season alone. The spectacle ofdeath-defying daredevils,
strapping super-heroes and scantily-clad starlets, fearless animal trainers, andstartling “freaks” gripped the American imagination, outshining
theater, vaudeville, comedy, and minstrel shows.
This book sheds fresh light on the circus phenomenon. With photographic gems of early circus performers, as well asoriginal posters, lithographs, sideshow banners and
engravings from the 16th–19th centuries illustrating the worldwide roots of the circus, readers are transported toa world of thrill and skill, grit and
glamour. Highlights include iconic circus photographs by Mathew Brady, Cornell Capa, Walker Evans, Weegee, and Lisette Model, and little-known circus images by Stanley Kubrick and
Charles and Ray Eames.
About the series:
Bibliotheca Universalis— Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe at an unbeatable, democratic price!
Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, the name TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible, open-minded publishing.Bibliotheca Universalis brings together
nearly 100 of our all-time favorite titles in a neat new format so you can curate your own affordable library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia.
Bookworm’s delight — never bore, always excite!
Text in English, French, and German
