Life Story of the Ringling Brothers

by Alfred T. Ringling

"A very entertaining book...sold in the Ringlings' menagerie tent...easily readable and humorous." -That Moaning Saxophone (2004)
"A colorful report of the beginnings of the Ringling circus...a great story it was." -Ringlingville USA (2013)
"One of the first histories of the Ringling Brothers Circus." -Tents, Tigers and the Ringling Brothers (2013)
"At the height of their power, the Ringlings each sported a mustache and wore a Prince Albert coat." -Big Top John Ringling North and the Circus (1994)

The Ringling brothers were seven American siblings of small-town Wisconsin who transformed their small touring company of performers into one of America's largest circuses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In 1900 Alfred "Alf" Theodore Ringling (1861–1919) published the book "Life Story of the Ringling Brothers".

There is no more striking example of a well-defined ambition reaching out toward a distinctive goal, and attaining it regardless of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and difficulties, than in the story of the Ringling brothers. To be sure, the idea of five boys saying to each other, "We want a circus," wasn't much to create more than a laugh among their playfellows; but for them to determine to have a circus, and the biggest and finest in the world, and then to start getting it, and finish by having it, makes an altogether different story of the five little boys' dreams. There wasn't much in the "wanting to have," but there was a great deal in the "getting."

Of course, all this didn't happen- in an hour. There is a great lapse of years between the time when the Ringling boys said, "We want a circus," and the day when the Ringling men could say, "We have a circus," and it is this intervening time between the desire and the realization with which this story deals.


It is a wonderful story to write—an adventure in real life, a page in the history of America's great men that teems with lessons of patience, perseverance, and honest effort. It is Caesarian, Napoleonic, Bismarckian in effort, and in accomplishment more than can be said of Alexander. The latter conquered the world, but the Ringling brothers pleased it. Alexander, with all his conquests, could not do this.

History records no greater trials than marked the beginning of the career of these great circus men, nor does history record a greater triumph than has rewarded them for their labor. From the humblest of beginnings they built and became equal owners of the greatest amusement enterprise in the world's history.

139 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2010

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of how their great circus was built. The idea to start a circus began when the boys watched a circus being unloaded from a boat on the Mississippi River while they lived in McGregor, Iowa. The colloquialism of 1900 makes the story humorous. Since the author is one of the brothers, I doubt the glowing description of how harmoniously the brothers worked together. I do believe the major obstacles and hardships they encountered along the way.

I do enjoy tent camping and know how much work it is to set up the camp site. To think they spent the majority of their lives setting up, taking down, and hauling all their supplies is daunting.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if I finished it.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really remarkable how 5 little boys (the youngest was 5, I think) decided to start a circus that would eventually grow into the largest and most recognized circus in the world. They started small with just a few acts, and attracting neighborhood kids to attend, and very slowly kept building and building. It's a testament to how well the brothers worked together and got along that their business could thrive so well.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book and was happily surprised with how well written and structured it is. A very enjoyable read!

My only complaint is I listened to the audiobook and the end of each chapter was cut off. From where it picked up next, it doesn't seem like much was missing, but still rather annoying. No fault of the writer though.

[Bacon Stopar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chanced upon this book randomly, and I have to say that it is a delight. First for its lighthearted, quick prose, second for its humorous turn-of-the-century colloquialisms, and finally for it's warm, uplifting message.

If you want 'dirt' on the Ringling Brothers, you won't find it here. Likewise you won't find anything about their love lives, personal disputes, or melodrama. It's a straight-forward story of 5 boys and their climb to glory. Definitely great 'summer reading.'

[Michele Denault · Rating 3 out of 5]

a period piece that presents a Hardy Boys like view of the early 1900 and the ingenuity of 5 boys who put together a circus. interesting quirky read.

[Antonio Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Fun stories from how they began.