Carnival Undercover

by Troy Prickett

An inside look at America's amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals reveals trade secrets about everything from how cotton candy is made to the country's most dangerous roller coasters, with tips on how to find the best seat on any ride, win the biggest prize in games of chance and skill, and make a carnival-style funnel cake at home. Original.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, History, Cultural, Crime

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2003

Reviews

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book - lots of fun to read. Thoroughly enjoyable

"Who doesn't love a carnival, fair or amusement park? They have everything you could ask for: Fried food, dangerous-looking rides, macho games, freak shows, meat-on-a-stick, champion milking cows, and teenagers dressed up as giant stuffed animals...If that's not America, what is?"

That's the opening quote of Carnival Undercover that tells you all the ins and outs of the carnival business - everything from the economics involved in owning a booth to how to become a carnie to ride safety to the freek shows. It also tells you how to win at certain games, the inside skinny on some of the major theme parks (did you know that DisneyWorld has an underground vacuum powered garbage removal - much like the system at your bank's drive through window - so that you don't have to see any garbage being hauled through the park?) and which food booths to avoid at your local fair (chicken & fish due to easy spoilage and the booths that sell more than 2 or 3 items - the specialists are just better).

Read all of my posts about fairs and festivals here:http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/...

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read; Witter examines the history, economics & statistics of the carnival, fair & amusement park world on an introductory level, both in terms of topics and grade level reading (probably YA/juvenile level).

Witter rates some of the best roller-coasters in the US, compares the nutritional merits (or lack thereof) of fair food and gives readers the low-down on carnival games... what your odds are and how best to play to win. Recommended to anyone interested in this topic looking for an general overview.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carnival Undercover by Brett Witter (Plume 2003) (791.1) features the insider's lowdown on the complete carnival experience. Sections include carnival food, games, rides, and sideshows, along with a concluding section on the life of a carny. The book reveals the best games to play and why; each section provides believable explanations. I found this to be a fascinating read. My rating: 7/10, finished 11/1/11.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could easily have been titled "Carnival Life for Dummies." The stuff about carnival games & carnies was interesting - the stuff about Disney was only 50% right & seemed to be there mainly so he could crack on the Mouse.

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of little tidbits on carnivals and was told in a humorous way. If you are interested in festivals, carnivals, carnival food, etc. then I would absolutely pick up this book. Would recommend.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, guess what? Carnival games are fixed!!!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked this up for a dollar. i love the circus and carnivals and it was a fun quick look into the behind the scenes.