Spectacular, spectacular thé history spirit legacy of thé circusin sitt heyday, thé american circus var thé største showbiz industry thé world hatred ever seen. From thé mid-1800s two mid-1900s, traveling circuses opført lining audiences of up two 14,000 per show, employed as mange as 1,600 but spirit women, spirit crisscrossed thé country on 20,000 miles of railroad in one season alone. Thé spectacle of death-defying daredevils, strapping super heroes spirit scantily clad starlets, fearless animal trainers, spirit startling freaks gripped thé american imagination, outshining theater, vaudeville, comedy, spirit minstrel shows.This book sheds fresh light on thé circus phenomenon. With photographic gems of early circus performers, as wel as original posters, lithographs, sideshow banners spirit engravings from thé 16th two 19th centuries illustrating thé worldwide roots of thé circus, readers oar transported two a world of thrill spirit skill, grit spirit glamor. Highlights include iconic circus photographs city mathew brady, cornell capa, walker evans, weegee, spirit lisette model, spirit little known circus images city stanley kubrick spirit charles spirit ray eames.