I remember seeing the circus when I was young – probably around first grade or maybe younger. Curiously it’s one of the few childhood memories I have retained as I don’t remember much of that time. It was in the long gone Forbes Field in Pittsburgh – the site of the University of Pittsburgh business school currently. Pittsburgh was also the site of the last big top show of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus in 1954 – one of the interesting facts I learned in Les Standiford’s Battle for the Big Top.
As a circus fan, I greatly enjoyed Standiford’s book. It’s a tight, packed history of the American circus through the lives of its major players: James Bailey, P.T. Barnum, and John Ringling and his brothers. It’s also a history of the American culture through the 1800’s, into the 1900’s and ending ten years ago. Despite its deep coverage, it’s not a big book – around 225 pages.
It’s a story of adaptation as the country grew and transportation changed, circuses shifted from wagons, to trains, and semi’s. They adapted to wars and economic cycles. They were true entrepreneurs.
Standiford packs a lot into his book. Naturally there’s some light touches on topics that cry out for greater depth so he provides an extensive bibliography.
Battle for the Big Top is fun, engaging and enlightening. If you’re a circus fan or a student of American culture, then it’s highly recommended.
