INSIDE THE CHANGING CIRCUS A CRITIC'S GUIDE eBook David Lewis Hammarstrom
Download As PDF : INSIDE THE CHANGING CIRCUS A CRITIC'S GUIDE eBook David Lewis Hammarstrom 
Step right up to this eye-opening account of how circuses are scouted, produced, directed and ballyhooed — and forever reinventing themselves. Covering them all, from Big Apple Circus and Cirque du Soleil to the bottom feeder big tops, the author’s unflinching candor and rich historical grasp may change forever how you view and experience the great spangled parade!
About the Author
David Lewis Hammarstrom is the author of eight books on popular entertainment, from big tops to Broadway. A former circus press agent and one-time contributor to Variety, he hosts the popular blog Showbiz David.
The following review appeared in the June 2012 issue of CHOICE
Circuses today range from local, low-budget shows that may set themselves up in a mall parking lot to vast multimedia extravaganzas, such as Cirque du Soleil. With so much to choose from, how does a consumer decide what is worth seeing? And once in the audience, how can viewers evaluate what they see? These two questions inform Hammarstrom’s latest book about an entertainment he loves. The author of four previous books about the circus (including Fall of the Big Top, CH, Jul’08, 45-6054) and two about Broadway musicals, Hammarstrom is a fan of colorful public spectacles. Here, he gives the reader a combination of memoir and critique, drawing on his experiences attending circuses in the US, Russia, and China from the time he was a young boy; his many interviews with circus personnel; and his readings of various sources, including books, magazines, and even Wikipedia.
The book’s organization is idiosyncratic, with short chapters on clowns, animal acts, impresarios, and performers. One useful chapter—“On with the Show!”—offers a concise guide on how to evaluate variety, transitions, and pacing, which Hammarstrom considers the most critical elements of a performance’s success. Hammarstrom’s memories are vivid, and his enthusiasm is infectious. Summing Up Recommended. General readers. – L. Simon, Skidmore College
"Step right up for a visit to the American Circus! There could be no finer guide than David Lewis Hammarstrom ... His passion for sawdust and spangles bubbles from every line but - a rarity among circus writers - he's as quick to point out the rubbish and rip-offs as the wonderful"
-- THE STAGE, London
"Fascinating! ... Something we need in these changing times more than anything else."
-- PLANET CIRCUS, Germany
"Bold and ambitious ... Timely and provocative! ... It is difficult to disagree with most of his views."
-- CIRCUS REPORT, USA
"Once in the audience, how can viewers evaluate what they see? ... A concise guide ... Hammarstrom's memories are vivid, and his enthusiasm is infectious"
-- CHOICE
"I eagerly read this book - as a circus arts performer and instructor I found it entertaining, and as an academic educator I found it very useful ... strikes a fun balance between history and gossip, critical guide and personal insights into the diversity that is the world of the modern circus show."
-- ELSIE SMITH
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR,
NEW ENGLAND CENTER FOR CIRCUS ARTS
"A thought-provoking book... how circus, particularly American circus, has changed and developed over the past 50 to 60 years, this book is packed with information and opinion."
-- KING POLE, UK
“Penetrating ... Informative ... Takes us out of our comfort zones.”
– THE WHITE TOPS
"Roll up, while you still can, to the greatest show on earth! 'fresh, alive, magical and compelling.' Along with the author of this fine volume, I urge you to buy tickets for the world of sawdust and spangles before it's too late and circuses go the way of steam trains."
-- THE DAILY MAIL, London
"Pay Attention! ... A good show!... This engaging study functions as a sort of everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-circus-business-today-but-were-too-mildly-nostalgic- to-ask."
INSIDE THE CHANGING CIRCUS A CRITIC'S GUIDE eBook David Lewis Hammarstrom
I really wanted to like this book but I really struggled to get through it. I have really like some of Hammarstrom's books in the past but this one seemed to be off.At points, it just seemed like he was ranting to anyone who would listen. I wouldn't say it was a "critic's guide" to anything. It was more about his preference than anything. Yes, we get it you hate pony rides and other concessions that so many circuses use to keep themselves afloat.
There also seems to be a lack of an editor for this book. There were basic grammar and spelling mistakes. He actually wrote a "heard of elephants." A quick proofreading session should have caught that.
The final nail in the coffin for me was his borderline racism. He often referred to shows use Latinx circus performers as using the "Mexican family plan." It doesn't matter that a large amount of these families come from Central and South America, he lumps all Latinx performers as Mexican.
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INSIDE THE CHANGING CIRCUS A CRITIC'S GUIDE eBook David Lewis Hammarstrom Reviews
Great edition by a noted circus historian,
The book offers a unique view of how the circus and entertainment has changed over the years. Davis Hammarston has been examining this world for many years and his insightful and engaging writing kept my attention through most of the book. I particularly enjoyed his window into the world of past circus stars. I definitely would recommend reading this for anyone with even a passing interest in the entertainment world.
I really wanted to like this book but I really struggled to get through it. I have really like some of Hammarstrom's books in the past but this one seemed to be off.
At points, it just seemed like he was ranting to anyone who would listen. I wouldn't say it was a "critic's guide" to anything. It was more about his preference than anything. Yes, we get it you hate pony rides and other concessions that so many circuses use to keep themselves afloat.
There also seems to be a lack of an editor for this book. There were basic grammar and spelling mistakes. He actually wrote a "heard of elephants." A quick proofreading session should have caught that.
The final nail in the coffin for me was his borderline racism. He often referred to shows use Latinx circus performers as using the "Mexican family plan." It doesn't matter that a large amount of these families come from Central and South America, he lumps all Latinx performers as Mexican.
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