Side Show: My Life with Geeks, Freaks and Vagabonds in the Carny Trade

by Howard Bone, Daniel Waldron, Teller

Cultural Writing. Memoir. Howard Bone was a sideshow magician virtually his whole working life. During a long, eventful, and adventurous career he lived every aspect of outdoor show business in its golden era. SIDE SHOW captures the flavor of those boisterous times -- the characters, the scenes, the scams, the dodges, the joys and sorrows of carny ways as only an insider could know them. An appealing, amusing and down and dirty glimpse into the rarely depicted nether regions of show business -- Ricky Jay, magician, actor, and author.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

137 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Ferus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Howard Bone, a man that spent 40 years in the Carny trade, in his own words. It's written in a very conversational tone, very informal and easy to read, with a peppering of carny slang for a flavor that makes you feel like you're sitting on the porch with him, sharing a drink as he talks about how he used to live. Howard covers all the things he did in the business, from bally talker to ticket taker to working in the At' (wrestling or boxing) shows. The girly shows and the menagerie, the pickled punks and three very different uses for a pair of Klein pliers. He doesn't try to make the hand to mouth, edge of society life of the carny glamorous, but it's clear that he loved it all the same. It was perfect for the sort of risk-taking, vagabond type of personality that he was, and it's clear that he really only felt at home on the road.

If you're looking for a book that's just pure information, this isn't for you, but it works as both informative book and memoir of "The Man that Can't Be Hung[sic]."

[Doug Brunell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Howard Bone's book is a fast read an ultimately unfulfilling, much like the circuses and carnivals he writes about.

Bone wants to convey what life was like working in this world, and he does a marvelous job of it. It seems hectic, fleeting, miserable, but also comfortable in the sense of being part of a community that is going through the exact same things you are. Another town, another show. Problems with being paid. Fights. Drunks. Possum belly girls (you have to read this to know). While his timelines are often looped in around themselves, it's the stories that matter, and he has lots of them. Unfortunately for the reader, however, just when these stories start to get good he is off to the next one.

If you like reading about carny life, this is a must-read. If you are like most people, though, and could care less about this lifestyle it is safe to say this won't change any minds.

[Les Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, I'll admit it. I'm a little obsessed with extraordinary, eccentric or really odd people. Howard Bone fits the bill in this book. A black belt martial artist and a magician, Howard Bone doubled as a brawler, a barker and even a snake handler. The book is a rambling account of his adventures and Howard, by his own admission, is not a great writer. And the editing is lackluster, at best. But the book is filled with little stories and curious insights into the carnival business, with special emphasis on the side shows and performers.
The book has whet my appetite for a better version that might describe the trade and its contributors at greater length with more skill, detail and personality.

[Ace McGee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Howard Bone spent 40 years in the sideshow in many capacities including talker and magician. He describes Himself as a natural born talker or Barker. He may have been this but he certainly is not a natural born writer. His stories, while informative are poorly written. His subjects are interesting and there are a lot of facts about carny life but he is narrative is dull. The book could've used a few photographs and maybe a lot more stories about him as a magician. I think Mr. Bone would have been an awful lot of fun to sit down with over a bottle of cheap rock gut at a campfire.
For those interested in reading about carnival and sideshow life I would recommend Step Right Up by Dan Mannix.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, short firsthand account of carny life from Howard Bone, the "Crazy Cobra".

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding first-hand account of a virtually unknown world.
Cut up those jackpots.

[Melissa Shepherd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I barely remember this book at all, but this was my (poorly written) review in 2001:

"I read this book out of love for carnival and freakish attractions. I did enjoy the various true stories told by the ex carnie, but the way he wrote was complicated to follow. He didn’t tell the stories in order that they happened, but more of how he remembered them while talking. It was difficult for me to follow sometimes, but I seemed to have gotten the gist of what he was saying. After reading it, I did end up having segments of it to tell to others."

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am eternally envious of Penn and Teller for having forged a friendship with Howard Bone before his death. They got to hear some of the stories from this book from Bone himself. Reading the book was like visiting with an interesting and eccentric relative who had a story for everything - but wasn't boastful or inappropriate. It was a quick read with some fascinating insight into American carnival and circus history.

[Hobart Frolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love memoirs by carnies! There's something really enjoyable about the seediness and unrepentant sleaze that fills these books. I guess they fall into the same camp as Jim Thompson novels and 70's Grindhouse features, an escape from the respectable world most of us are forced into 9 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year until we die.....

[TheSaint · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like multifaceted non-fiction authored by well-respected scholars, then Side Show: My Life with Geeks, Freaks, and Vagabonds in the Carny Trade is not for you. However, if you want a quick, fun read about the carnival life as led by one Howard Bone, then...knock yourself out!

[Jane Cornett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howard Bone lived a fascinating life... authentic stories that provide a good look at old-school carny lives.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great, quick read about Howard Bone's life in the carnival and all the related shenanigans. A fun insight into the carnival life.