Publisher: PublicAffairs Books (Perseus Books)
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
The untold story of three Golden Age titans and the confrontations, cutthroat business strategies, and eccentric personalities that built the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus
Millions 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.
My Review 🖤
I came along in an era when the circus was a major production that anyone would feel lucky to see. I grew up incredibly poor, and my family never could afford to take us, but one year when I was five years old my grandparents took all of us grandkids when they came to Dallas. Being as young as I was I can only remember figments: tons of clowns crawling out of a tiny car and completely blowing my mind, trapeze artists doing death defying stunts without a safety net beneath them, and were up so high I found myself focusing on the tiny workers in the rafters instead of the artists themselves. The whole experience left me spellbound until a man got shot out of a cannon during the finale, the unexpected boom scaring me so much that to this day I have a horrible fear of anything that has a sudden, loud noise. Still, the memories are some that will be with me forever, and I will always be grateful to my grandparents for taking us.
Reading Battle for the Big Top brought back this distant memory that I haven't thought about in a long time. I've never been one that had a passion for the circus, but I've always had a deep respect for all of the work, time, effort, and dedication it must take to put on such a production. What I never realized was how deep the history of the circus goes!
Battle for the Big Top goes into incredible detail, almost to the point of overwhelming a reader that knows literally nothing about the circus, but I appreciate all of the time and dedication it took to have such a detailed and meticulously researched novel. My one caveat with this is that there were moments where it was very textbook, having a monotone "just giving the facts" feel, which did make parts difficult to get into, but the facts themselves fascinated me and motivated me to keep reading. Seeing the evolution from a small side show to a production that enraptured and captivated audiences for decades was thrilling to read, especially finding out what went on beyond the tent.
An at times overwhelming, yet comprehensive text, Battle for the Big Top left me in awe and with knowledge I didn't previously know, and left no stone unturned. If you've ever wanted to learn about the circus and the major players behind it all, this is your book!
About the Author
Les Standiford is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including Last Train to Paradise, Meet You in Hell, and Bringing Adam Home. His book, The Man Who Invented Christmas, was a New York Times 'Editors' Choice' and was made into a feature film starring Christopher Plummer and Dan Stevens in 2018. He is a Professor of English and Founding Director of the Creative Writing Program at Florida International University and holds a MA and PhD in literature and creative writing from the University of Utah. He attended the US Air Force Academy and Columbia School of Law and is a former screenwriting fellow and graduate of the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Connect with Les: Website
*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from PublicAffairs Books through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
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