{"product_id":"the-american-circus-9780300185393","title":"The American Circus","description":"\u003cp\u003eA showcase of the \"golden age\" of the circus in America  The circus is a source of nostalgia for Americans of all ages  either from memories of attending P. T. Barnums \"Greatest Show on Earth \" or through the colorful evocations in many movies  television programs  and books. Interest in the circus phenomenon is unflagging  yet there have been few publications that look closely at how the circuss European origins were refashioned for an American audience. Lavishly illustrated and carefully researched  this volume explores how American culture  values  demography  and business practices altered the fundamental nature of the European circus  and how  by the end of the 19th century  they had transformed it into a distinctly American pastime. At the peak of its cultural significance  the circus was a sophisticated combination of theater and business  and made effective use of advertising  train travel  and hyperbole. The subjects in The American Circus reflect this complexity  ranging widely from thematic explorations of circus music and elephants to more closely focused studies of objects such as circus toys  souvenirs  and performers costumes. The book also explores the dark and even nefarious side of the circus  and its associations with marginalized dimensions of American life and culture. With contributions from leading scholars  this stylishly designed volume aims to identify the salient features of an Americanized cultural product and to analyze its appeal for American audiences.  Published for the Bard Graduate Center  NY  Exhibition Schedule: Bard Graduate Center  NY(09\/21\/1202\/03\/13)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45646881161269,"sku":"ByrdShop_0300185391","price":24.11,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780300185393.jpg?v=1781679733","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-american-circus-9780300185393","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}