When you hear the word ‘clown’, what is the first thing that comes to mind? It probably isn’t giant, bloodthirsty predators who ruled over humanity after usurping all the earthly kingdoms of an antediluvian age. Likewise, when one imagines Nephilim, it would be absurd to conjure up a scene of white-faced circus performers honking their horns and making fools of themselves in colourful costumes, right? The half-divine, half-mortal offspring of the watchers have been a contentious field of study for theologians and Christian contrarians for a long time. However, while most have focused their efforts on proving the existence of these beings, (until now) no researcher of the Nephilim has ever stopped to ask themselves earnestly, “What did these monsters really look like?” With respectful observation of ancestor spirit worship cultures, historical facts and a tongue-in-cheek passion, this book series bridges the gap between the seemingly disparate words: Nephilim and Clown. After reading this book, you will know that circuses are no joke; they are occult rituals. You will recognise that the clown, as we know it today, is a purposefully crafted caricature of a much more ancient and fearfully colourful predator, still hunting us today... You will understand that The Nephilim Looked Like Clowns. Read more

"Once I started this incomparable story, I couldn't put it down, and I cannot get it out of my mind—nor will I ever. The message of what can be accomplished by training through affection and joy will thrill all animal lovers." —Betty WhiteA captivating true story of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure that spans several decades and three continents, Modoc is one of the most remarkable true stories ever told, perfect for fans of The Zookeeper's Wife or Water for Elephants.Raised together in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant formed a bond that would last their entire lives, and would be tested time and again: through a near-fatal shipwreck in the Indian Ocean, an apprenticeship with the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the Indian teak forests, and their eventual rise to circus stardom in 1940s New York City. As the African Sun-Times put it, Modoc is "heartwarming. . . probably the greatest love story ever told." Read more

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A fascinating look into the history of the American sideshow and its performers. Learn what's real, what's fake, and what's just downright bizarre. You've probably heard of Tom Thumb. The Elephant Man. Perhaps even Chang and Eng, the original Siamese twins. But what about Eli Bowen, the legless acrobat? Or Prince Randian, the human torso? These were just a few of the many stars that shone during the heyday of the American sideshow, from 1840 to 1950. American Sideshow chronicles the lives of truly amazing performers, examining these brave and extraordinary curiosities not just as sideshow performers but as people, delving into the lives they led and the ways they were able to triumph over and even benefit from their abnormalities. American Sideshow discusses the rise and fall of the original sideshows and their subsequent replacement by today's self-made freaks. With the progress of modern medicine, technological advancements, and the wonderful world of body modification, abnormalities are being overcome, treated and even prevented: Siamese twins can now be separated, and in addition to this, tongues can be forked, horns surgically implanted, and earlobes removed. There are also, of course, modern-day giants, fire eaters, sword swallowers, glass eaters, human blockheads, and oh, so much more. These fascinating personalities are celebrated through intimate biographies paired with stunning photographs. Approximately two hundred performers from the past one hundred and sixty years are featured, giving readers a comprehensive and sometimes astonishing look into the history of the American sideshow Read more

A century ago, daily life ground to a halt when the circus rolled into town. Across America, banks closed, schools canceled classes, farmers left their fields, and factories shut down so that everyone could go to the show. In this entertaining and provocative book, Janet Davis links the flowering of the early-twentieth-century American railroad circus to such broader historical developments as the rise of big business, the breakdown of separate spheres for men and women, and the genesis of the United States' overseas empire. In the process, she casts the circus as a powerful force in consolidating the nation’s identity as a modern industrial society and world power.Davis explores the multiple “shows” that took place under the big top, from scripted performances to exhibitions of laborers assembling and tearing down tents to impromptu spectacles of audiences brawling, acrobats falling, and animals rampaging. Turning Victorian notions of gender, race, and nationhood topsy-turvy, the circus brought its vision of a rapidly changing world to spectators — rural as well as urban — across the nation. Even today, Davis contends, the influence of the circus continues to resonate in popular representations of gender, race, and the wider world. Read more

"Reminiscent of ... the gritty writings of Studs Terkel and John Steinbeck, with a dash of Jack Kerouac, Tony Horwitz, and even Hunter S. Thompson." Review!"Majestic ... Deep Observations About Life!" -- Chicago Tribune. American OZ is a rollicking, gritty, adventurous story of life in the secretive subculture of traveling carnivals. You'll never see your state fair or street festival the same way again. Comerford writes a bold, inspiring true story of a year working on the road behind the scenes with the colorful characters and legends of carnivals. He shares stories of freaks, a carnival pimp, and the last King of the Sideshows. A dunk tank insult-clown is shot. Masked gunmen rob his carnival. And a young showman friend dies a shocking death on the road. It's a new classic American road story as he hitchhikes to shows in California, New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Alaska, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, and Florida where he works in a freak show. He becomes the #1 hitchhiker in the USA and a top agent at the State Fair of Texas. He travels to the dangerous foothills of Mexico to see the new face of the American carny. He exposes the truths about seasonal work, labor abuse, and living between two worlds. People seek love and meaning in their lives on the road. Comerford finds we're all connected in more ways than we know."An American Masterpiece!"-- Kerry Lavelle, author/lawyer Read more

To the Hilt is a riveting exploration into the mysterious and dangerous world of sword swallowing, charting its history from ancient rituals to modern-day performances. Cowritten by world-renowned sword swallower Dan Meyer and celebrated sideshow historian Marc Hartzman, this volume delves into the lives of over 100 sword swallowers. Meyer, with his numerous world records and vast experience, provides an insider’s perspective that is unmatched, while Hartzman adds depth with his historical knowledge and engaging writing style. Key Features:Definitive compendium of historical biographies: Highlights the captivating lives of historical sword swallowers from the 1700s to the present, many of whom have never been profiled in other books.Behind the scenes with modern performers: Provides an inside look at the wild stories and experiences of modern sword swallowers, who account for one out of every 300 million people alive today.Expert perspectives: Readers will learn from Dan Meyer, the world’s leading expert on sword swallowing and viral TEDx presenter, as he shares his unique life experiences and relatable life lessons in his introductory essay.Rare imagery: Contains a treasure trove of rare photographs and ephemera that bring the history of sword swallowing to life.Medical insights: Outlines the medical risks and implications of sword swallowing through a doctor’s essay included in the book, which serves both as a warning and an elucidation of the phenomenon.To the Hilt is a journey into a world where danger and artistry intersect. Perfect for sideshow enthusiasts, history buffs, or those interested in pushing human capability to its limits in any domain, this book will leave readers both enlightened and amazed. Read more

Against the backdrop of a glittering but brutal circus world, Last Chain on Billie charts the history of elephants in America, the inspiring story of theElephant Sanctuary and the spellbinding tale of a resilient elephant who defied the system even as she struggled to conquer her past, who neverlost sight of the life she was meant to have.Left in the wild, Billie the elephant would have spent her dayssurrounded by family, free to wander the jungles of Asia. Instead,traders captured her as a baby and shipped her to America, where shelearned to carry humans, stand on a tub and balance on one leg - thefull repertoire of elephant tricks. For decades, Billie crisscrossed the country, dazzling audiences as she performed breathtaking stunts. Butbehind the scenes she lived a life of misery: traveling in trucks,chained for hours on end, barely able to move, giving eight-minuteperformances under harsh lights and to the sounds of blaring music. Andworse.Finally, she got a lucky break. As part of the largest elephantrescue in American history,  Billie wound up at a sanctuary forperforming elephants in Tennessee, able once more to roam through openmeadows and share her days with a herd. She would never be beaten again.But, overcome with anxiety, she withdrew from the rest of theelephants and refused to let anyone remove a chain still clamped aroundher leg. Her caregivers began to wonder if Billie could ever escape heremotional wounds.The compelling story of Billie's battle to reclaim her old self is atestament to the intelligence, emotional complexity and remarkablestrength of all elephants, captive or free. Read more

This cultural history of the travelling freak show in America chronicles the rise and fall of the industry as attitudes about disability evolved.From 1840 until 1940, hundreds of freak shows crisscrossed the United States, from the smallest towns to the largest cities, exhibiting their casts of dwarfs, giants, Siamese twins, bearded ladies, savages, snake charmers, fire eaters, and other oddities. By today’s standards such displays would be considered cruel and exploitative—the pornography of disability. Yet for one hundred years the freak show was widely accepted as one of America’s most popular forms of entertainment. Robert Bogdan’s fascinating social history brings to life the world of the freak show and explores the culture that nurtured and, later, abandoned it. In uncovering this neglected chapter of show business, he describes in detail the flimflam artistry behind the shows, the promoters and the audiences, and the gradual evolution of public opinion from awe to embarrassment. Freaks were not born, Bogdan reveals; they were manufactured by the amusement world, usually with the active participation of the freaks themselves. Many of the "human curiosities" found fame and fortune, until the ascent of professional medicine transformed them from marvels into pathological specimens. Read more

Both a great American adventure and a rare entry into asheltered world, Under the Big Top describes one man's pursuit of every child's fantasy: running away to join the circus. Bruce Feiler's unforgettable year as a clown will forever change your view of one of the world's oldest art forms and remind you of how dreams can go horribly wrong -- and then miraculously come true. Read more

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Through firsthand accounts, interviews with survivors and a gripping collection of vintage photographs, author Michael Skidgell attempts to make sense of one of Hartford's worst tragedies. Almost 7,000 fans eagerly packed into the Ringling Brothers big top on July 6, 1944. With a single careless act, an afternoon at the "Greatest Show on Earth" quickly became one of terror and tragedy as the paraffin-coated circus tent caught fire. Panicked crowds rushed for the few exits, but in minutes, the tent collapsed on those still struggling to escape below. A total of 168 lives were lost, many of them children, with many more injured and forever scarred by the events. Hartford and the surrounding communities reeled in the aftermath as investigators searched for the source of the fire and the responsible parties. Read more

Flea Circus Instructions for building, operating, & performing your own Humbug Flea Circus.(No real fleas) Read more

Specifically geared towards the beginning to intermediate adult aerial silks student, this handbook is a valuable resource for those looking to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanics that go into learning this challenging art form. Kerry Wee is a seasoned professional dancer and teacher that has toured the world and performed behind some of the biggest names in music. Through her experiences and travels, she has garnered a knowledge of how the dance body works and how to prevent common injuries. Wrap Your Head Around Silks is a compilation of those lessons, along with changes in the anatomy and the psychological challenges that come along with it. This book is designed to be a companion to an aerialist's training, for those looking for a deeper meaning to the basic instruction given in a class setting . This will guide you through every aspect of starting your aerial silks journey whether it be learning how to climb, finding your spinal alignment or even just mastering the enviable toe point. Beyond just the anatomical, this will also instruct you on class etiquette and pinpointing your body weaknesses that you might not be aware of. Read more

“Les Standiford takes us under the big top and behind the curtain in this richly researched and thoroughly engaging narrative that captures all of the entrepreneurial intrigue and spirit of the American circus.” —Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Devil in the GroveMillions have sat under the “big top,” watching as trapeze artists glide and clowns entertain, but few know the captivating stories behind the men whose creativity, ingenuity, and determination created one of our country’s most beloved pastimes.In Battle for the Big Top, New York Times–bestselling author Les Standiford brings to life a remarkable era when three circus kings—James Bailey, P. T. Barnum, and John Ringling—all vied for control of the vastly profitable and influential American Circus. 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 acumen, and personal magnetism, this Ragtime-like narrative will delight and enchant circus-lovers and anyone fascinated by the American experience.   Read more

At twenty-one, I ran away from home and joined the circus (actually, I took a bus.) I didn’t want to join just any circus. I went straight to the top. I became a professional clown with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Within these 250+ pages you’ll read over fifty very private, personal, and confidential stories revealing real life behind the canvas walls of “The GREATEST SHOW on EARTH!” Candid stories about extraordinary characters in the ring, backstage and traveling on the circus train. There are tall tales of the world’s greatest tiger trainer, short stories of the smallest man in the world and an interesting insight into the caliber of character it took to be a human cannonball. What you will find out is that Ringling was much more than a three-hour show. Behind it all, we were a family of international families, working side by side through good times and tragedies. We traveled by night and performed by day. We crisscrossed America in our own 40-car circus train. We were passionate, proud, disciplined and driven. We knew we were all a little different. Many dedicated their lives to become the best they could be, and some pushed themselves to become the greatest on the planet. In Clown Alley, we devoted our lives to making audiences laugh, while others defied death daily (in some instances, only 99% of the time). I LOVED my profession. For over twenty years the circus was my home. Unfortunately, running away from home and joining the circus is no longer an option for anyone. It’s too late. After 146 years, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey has closed forever (or at least for now.) The next best thing is to run away with me through these pages. Kick the sawdust, taste the peanuts, hear the applause, smell the animals, get inspired by the greatness and feel what it felt-like to follow this dream. I hope you enjoy reading my book as much as I enjoyed writing … RINGLING REMEMBERED “THROUGH THE EYES OF A CIRCUS CLOWN”. Read more

Broadway has body issues. What is a Broadway Body? Broadway has long preserved the ideology of the "Broadway Body": the hyper-fit, exceptionally able, triple-threat performer who represents how Broadway musicals favor certain kinds of bodies. Casting is always a political act, situated within a power structure that gives preference to the Broadway Body. In Broadway Bodies, author Ryan Donovan explores how ability, sexuality, and size intersect with gender, race, and ethnicity in casting and performance. To understand these intersectional relationships, he poses a series of questions: Why did A Chorus Line, a show that sought to individuate dancers, inevitably make dancers indistinguishable? How does the use of fat suits in musicals like Dreamgirls and Hairspray stigmatize fatness? What were the political implications of casting two straight actors as the gay couple in La Cage aux Folles in 1983? How did deaf actors change the sound of musicals in Deaf West's Broadway revivals? Whose bodies does Broadway cast and whose does it cast aside? In answering these questions, Broadway Bodies tells a history of Broadway's inclusion of various forms of embodied difference while revealing its simultaneous ambivalence toward non-conforming bodies. Read more

Step right up into the enchanting world of laughter with 'Your Comprehensive Guide to Mastering the Art of Clowning' by Henry Jestworth. This engaging and thorough handbook is your ticket to discovering the timeless artistry of clowning—from the fascinating history to the nuts and bolts of crafting a captivating persona. Dive into the essentials of silent expression, whimsical storytelling, and the playful nuances of physical comedy. With practical tips on makeup, costume selection, and crowd engagement, this guide is your partner in turning laughter into an art form. Whether you're a budding performer or a seasoned clown honing your craft, let Henry Jestworth be your trusted guide as you navigate the delightful and transformative journey of mastering the art of clowning. Get ready to bring joy, spread smiles, and unveil the magic of your own unique clown persona! Read more

If you're a fan of the odd or unusual then this book is for you. Featuring over fifty unique and exciting historical cases of human curiosities, this book brings their stories to the present to celebrate the lives of these special people.Whether it be 'Anatomical Oddities' such as "The Gripping Tale of Grady Styles, The Lobster Boy" - who was born with claws instead of hands or "The Unfortunate Tale of The Hilton Twins" - conjoined twins chained for life.Or maybe you're more interested in 'Modified Marvels' such as "The enigma that was Horace Ridler, The Great Omi" - who tattooed his entire body from head to toe with zebra stripes, or another body mod extreme, "The Graceful Shape of Ethel Granger, The Wasp Lady" - who used corseting to become the woman with the smallest waist in history.Or perhaps you are interested in 'Peculiar People' who perform the most bizarre and remarkable sideshow acts such as "The Dangerous Career of Koringa, La Femme Fakir" - who could scale a ladder of swords completely barefoot or "The Hard Hitting Story of Melvin Burkhart, The Human Blockhead" - who could hammer 6 inch steel nails up his nose and into the centre of his skull unharmed.Some things in life have to be seen to be believed, so along with an image of each incredible individual throughout this book you will also find strategically placed QR (Quick Response) codes which link to unique footage and further information. Most modern smartphones come with the ability to read QR codes. Some tablets, such as the Apple iPad and Kindle Fire, also contain this feature. Read more