Overview

This volume explores the development of the early 20th-century railroad circus against 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. It casts the circus as a powerful force in consolidating the nation's identity as a modern industrial society and world power. It goes on to view the many shows that took place under the big top, from scripted performances to exhibitions of labourers to acrobats falling and animals rampaging. Turning Victorian notions of gender, race and nationhood on their head, the circus brought its vision of a rapidly changing world to spectators, both rural and urban, across the nation. This book suggests that even today the influence of the circus continues to resonate in popular representations of gender, race, and the wider world.

Full Product Details

Author:   Janet M. Davis
Publisher:   The University of North Carolina Press
Imprint:   The University of North Carolina Press
Edition:   New edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.522kg
ISBN:  

9780807853993

ISBN 10:   0807853992
Pages:   360
Publication Date:   30 September 2002
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Reviews

YA fascinating, provocative history of a democratic form of public entertainment. ( Publishers Weekly ) [A] fascinating, provocative history of a democratic form of public entertainment. ( Publishers Weekly )

A fascinating, provocative history of a democratic form of public entertainment. ( Publishers Weekly ) [A] fascinating, provocative history of a democratic form of public entertainment. ( Publishers Weekly )

[A] fascinating, provocative history of a democratic form of public entertainment. ( Publishers Weekly )

Author Information

JANET M. DAVIS is assistant professor of American studies and history at the University of Texas at Austin.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions