Juggling

by Stewart Lawrence Sinclair

"In Juggling, Stewart Lawrence Sinclair explores the 4,000 year history and practice of juggling as seen through his life as a juggler. Sinclair-who learned to juggle as a child and paid his way through college by busking-shares his experiences of taking up juggling after an episode of suicidal ideation, his time juggling on the streets and, ultimately, finding comfort in juggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. In many ways, this is a book about loss and recovery. From his own juggling story to clowns braving military checkpoints in Bosnia and Rwanda to perform in refugee camps to contemporary avant-garde performances, Sinclair shows how the universal language of juggling provides joy as well as a respite from difficulties during hard times"--

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2023

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Juggling is a language of motion and stillness, of physics and beauty, a practice of senses and muscles, like dance or the flight of birds."

"To be perpetually sad and lonely doesn't mean you're not allowed to be funny and entertaining."

Sinclair's book is a great feat accomplished. The author found a way to intersperse his childhood with juggling among the history of juggling, the physics of juggling, and reportage of war-torn countries where juggling had a positive impact. You also learn technical terms such as "three ball cascade" and "shower."

Even if juggling isn't your thing, you'll walk away with a greater depth of knowledge and appreciation for juggling and the joy it brings.

I especially enjoyed learning about how juggling has been used to bring happiness and distraction to children in war-torn countries.

What is life, after all, without a reason to smile?

And that's what juggling means to the author. A practice that makes him present in time, an exercise that lifted him from darkness and brings him joy.

[Joey From the Block · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always enjoyable to hear from someone so passionate about their craft.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art-form, culture, theory, history and spirit of juggling. Half-memoir, half love letter to juggling and to being a juggler.