183 rare photographs and posters (10 in full color) from 1850s to 1920s. Ornate wagons and chariots, brass bands, elephants, camels, lions, clowns, jugglers, cowboys, Indians, much more. Authentic Americana. Detailed captions. Introduction.

A picture book of a circus parade.

The Routledge Circus Studies Reader offers an absorbing critical introduction to this diverse and emerging field. It brings together the work of over 30 scholars in this discipline, including Janet Davis, Helen Stoddart and Peta Tait, to highlight and address the field’s key historical, critical and theoretical issues. It is organised into three accessible sections, Perspectives, Precedents and Presents, which approach historical aspects, current issues, and the future of circus performance. The chapters, grouped together into 13 theme-based sub-sections, provide a clear entry point into the field and emphasise the diversity of approaches available to students and scholars of circus studies. Classic accounts of performance, including pieces by Philippe Petit and Friedrich Nietzsche, are included alongside more recent scholarship in the field. Edited by two scholars whose work is strongly connected to the dynamic world of performance, The Routledge Circus Studies Reader is an essential teaching and study resource for the emerging discipline of circus studies. It also provides a stimulating introduction to the field for lovers of circus.

A thorough survey of the origins and development of the major distinct American commercial entertainments that emerged between over the course of the 19th century and into the 20th, including P.T. Barnum_s American Museum, freak show, and circus, as well as blackface minstrelry, Buffalo Bill_s Wild West Show, and vaudeville.

Ancient Rome and Modern America explores the vital role thenarratives and images of Rome have played in America’sunderstanding of itself and its history. Places America’s response to Rome in a historicalcontext, from the Revolutionary era to the present Looks at portrayals of Rome in different media: writing,architecture, theatre, painting, World’s Fairs andExpositions, and film Beautifully illustrated with over 40 high quality photographsand figures

Warm, compassionate, beautifully written work offers unparalleled perceptions of celebrated humorist's faults, foibles, and personality, as well as insights into the spirit and style of his writing. Includes reviews of Innocents Abroad, Roughing It, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and other works. It is a "work of art and a work of genius." — Henry Steele Commager.

Virtually every "utopia" in existence as of 1875 is described, with material on social customs, guiding philosophy, food, clothing, attitudes toward sex and more. Primary source for communes, social and sexual odd groups. Basic work in field. 39 illustrations.

Beautifully illustrated study explores every aspect of the American printer and his craft from 1639 to 1800.