Secrets of the Sideshows

by Joe Nickell

The carnival sideshows of the past have left behind a fascinating legacy of mystery and intrigue. The secrets behind such daring feats as fire-eating and sword swallowing and bizarre exhibitions of human oddities as "Alligator Boys" and "Gorilla Girls" still remain, only grudgingly if ever given up by performers and carnival professionals. Working alongside the performers, Joe Nickell blows the lid off these mysteries of the midway. The author reveals the structure of the shows, specific methods behind the performances, and the showmen's tactics for recruiting performers and attracting crowds. He also traces the history of such spectacles, from ancient Egyptian magic and street fairs to the golden age of P.T. Barnum's sideshows. With revealing insight into the personal lives of the men and women billed as freaks, Nickell unfolds the captivating story of the midway show.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Pop Culture, Cultural Studies, Magic

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Joe Nickell was an American skeptic and investigator of the paranormal.
Nickell was a senior research fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and wrote regularly for their journal, Skeptical Inquirer. He was also an associate dean of the Center for Inquiry Institute. He was the author or editor of over 30 books.
Among his career highlights, Nickell helped expose the James Maybrick "Jack the Ripper Diary" as a hoax. In 2002, Nickell was one of a number of experts asked by scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. to evaluate the authenticity of the manuscript of Hannah Crafts' The Bondwoman's Narrative (1853–1860), possibly the first novel by an African-American woman. At the request of document dealer and historian Seth Keller, Nickell analyzed documentation in the dispute over the authorship of "The Night Before Christmas", ultimately supporting the Clement Clarke Moore claim.

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book attempts to describe the various aspects of the carnival sideshow, from the human "freaks" to magic tricks and illusions, with a brief foray into the animal exhibits often accompanying the rest. The book was very well-researched: the author is well-acquainted with many of the people interviewed for the book, and himself demonstrates several of the physical "tricks," documented in photos. The book is well-illustrated with photos of modern-day sideshows, photos of older acts, and vintage posters, which are very helpful in creating an image of the sideshow experience.
While the book was obviously well-researched and well-planned, the writing style itself is not quite what I had expected. The author makes frequent forays into theoretical musings on the "freaks," and spends less time talking about individuals and their experiences than exploring his own theories and opinions. I would have preferred a more straight biography-style presentation, particularly when it came to the chapters on illusions and magic tricks, which were fairly dry.

[Audacia Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

The research that Joe Nickell did for this book is exhaustive and impressive, and the images within the book are fantastic - and there are lots of them.

That said: I was really disappointed by the book's lack of depth. Maybe it's because (ok, not maybe) I have somewhat academic inclinations, but I felt really frustrated by the lack of analysis in this book. It was basically a prose-y list of sideshow acts over the years, and the years are often all tangled together, with mentions of acts that happened in the late nineteenth century and mid-twentieth century right next to each to each other. There's no analysis of how these acts mean and how that meaning may have changed over the last 150 years or so. There's no analysis of the dynamics of race, gender, class, ability, and otherness - analysis which I would've really loved to see because there's such an incredible cast of characters that quickly parade through the book, and Nickell obviously knows a whole hell of a lot about sideshows.

Instead of Secrets of the Sideshow, I recommend
Freak Show: Presenting Human Oddities for Amusement and Profit if you're looking for cultural history and Geek Love if you're looking for great fiction. Both are well-written and have much more depth to them.

[Jo Besser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally I don't take this long to finish a book. In my defense there was a lot going on with my life so I wasn't reading as much. Also there was so much awesome sideshow knowledge jam packed into this book I wanted to take my time and read over all of it.

I went into this book thinking that I was going to be learning more about all the performers in Sideshows, both passed and present. I did learn about the people, but I also learned all about the gaffs. Which for me was cool but also ruined sideshows for me. haha.

Really cool read, also love how Nickell backed up his points with sources. (Siting sources I think is pretty cool.) Definitely a cool read and I'm glad I picked it up.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often what you see is not the whole story. This book lifts the veil on an all too forgotten piece of history and takes outside the big top where the real show takes place. This was as enlightening as it was amazing. I very thoroughly enjoyed it. A wonderful blending of historical fact and cultural heritage. If you're ever curious as to what goes on behind the scenes or just want a better look at a sadly all but extinct form of entertainment then hurry, hurry, hurry, step right up and dive right in. 10/10 highly recommend.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming look at the rich history of circuses, carnivals, and sideshows. Though the book hits 400 pages, it flutters around from topic to topic, spacing out quotes from performers and diagrams of tricks with anecdotes of the author's experiences with the last of the modern sideshow acts. Gossipy, educational, and fascinating - I love learning little snippets of history that make things click into place, and circuses and sideshows have cast a long shadow on pop culture.

[Rich Rosell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nickell lays out a well-researched and detailed exploration of circus/carnival history, but primarily a look at the assorted types of acts that would have populated a sideshow.

Fascinating. Interesting. Informative.

[Vickie Woodard · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT A RIDE!

Well, not a ride, but often an explanation of how exhibits were created (or were real) and how performances were engineered.
A must for anyone with fond memories of the midway!

[Chris Nagel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The butler did it.

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of an interesting topic.
And yes, the illusions are mostly all done with mirrors.
The realities/oddities are not.
And thus the attraction.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have rated this book higher, but I think that its strength is also a bit a of a weakness. The book is extremely comprehensive. Nickell, an experienced performer himself, packs a lot of stories, biographies and details into this book. He looks at every angle and every type of sideshow. He provides history from ancient times to the present. That is good. However, it is a lot, an awful lot for the casual reader. If you are expecting a nice, easy historical narrative, this is not it. On the other hand, if you want a book that be described as encyclopedic in nature, then this may be the book for you. I do no think it is a book to read from cover to cover. Read the introduction, and like in any carnival or midway, pick out the items that interest you. Do remember to make your way to the egress as well. I tried to read it cover to cover, and I did find it a bit overwhelming. This is more of a book to browse and explore. Also, the book is written in a very academic tone. It feels more like I am reading a series of academic papers, including in-text citations (which as a reader I found annoying. Those should have been end-notes).

Having said that, it does cover a very interesting topic, and it looks at a craft that is almost extinct. It does so with respect, dignity, good research, and thoroughness. There are also some very good photos and illustrations featured in the book.

So overall, a book that may be a bit more for academics than lay readers. It is still worth reading, or at least skimming and finding the types of shows that interest you and learning about those. Also, I think it may encourage folks to want to read more on specific topics. And that is always a good thing.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comprehensive and entertaining overview of the sideshow is as intriguing as its subject matter. The author is a amusement industry insider so not only are getting the fruits of his research but the benefit of his experience. The book reveals Sideshow secrets without losing any of its mystery. You learn history, jargon and even see perhaps a glimpse of the sideshow's future. The tone is matter of fact but occasionally tongue in cheek. The author lets the material and its rich characters speak for themselves. Lots of pictures. Lots of fun. I was researching a project when I found this book and I don't want to part with it (it's a library book).

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is incredibly self-indulgently written, and is complete with a disturbing amount of photos of the author standing next to the pertinent specimen that is being photographed. It kind of feels like you are reading his personal travelogue through an obsession. He also feels the need to define words like "obsese" so that you, the reader, can keep up with him.

That having been said, I love me some sideshow trivia, and once it was amply delivered.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very thorough, but I agree with the other reviews that it is also somewhat self serving. MANY illustrations/banners/pictures are referenced, but the vast majority actually available to the reader are those photographed or drawn by the author. Likewise, there are many times where the author makes a point to say how he personally met/did something of which the saying of does not contribute to the book.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in bits and pieces over several months. At times, it becomes too much like a long list of sideshow attractions, and, as David Letterman and others can tell you, lists wear thin after ten items or so. Worth reading, though, if only for the knowledge that flea circuses are REAL (which I still have a hard time believing).

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any interest in the world of the sideshow, this book might just quench your thirst for knowledge. It covers every topic from natural freaks to sword-swallowing tattooed hotties. It also explains a bit how different types of sideshows were organized, and how certain stunts were performed. A must-read for the sideshow enthusiast.

[James Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I refreshing look at the sideshow industry.

It didn't get five stars because I felt the references could of been left in the back of the book, not every time he mentioned something that could of just had a number beside it for each chapter.


But aside from that, a great guide for the sideshows. Should be on any fan or historian of the art.

[Josh Livingroom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book was awesome, but it does read like a textbook and I would recommend picking and choosing the sections which interest you personally. Sideshow freaks should not bore me to sleep!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very entertaining look at the history of the sideshow along with some of its secrets. Nickell's keeps things moving at a good pace, although there were a few times that I wish he had gone more in depth.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this, and it is a voyeuristic look at the freaks and geeks and also how they do all of those cheesy magic tricks.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book overall but it could be dry for sure. I definitely enjoyed the subject matter.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still want to learn fire eating.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me realize I was very interested in the history of circuses, side shows, and all the people involved. Great read and the author comes to the topic with his insider experiences.

[ACRL]

Read by ACRL Member of the Week Jennifer Emanuel. Learn more about Jennifer on the ACRL Insider blog.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview with a variety of entertaining photographs