This brilliant, richly illustrated biography of a 19th century performer introduces readers to the most famous American they've never heard of, while exploring the history of entertainment and the cult of celebrity. Circus clown and presidential candidate: A 21st century punch line, that conjunction made perfect sense to the mid-19th century, in the person of Dan Rice. A runaway at 13, Rice was a pig presenter, strongman, lecturer, comic singer, blackface clown, before joining the dazzling world of circus. Creating Dan Rice ...
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This brilliant, richly illustrated biography of a 19th century performer introduces readers to the most famous American they've never heard of, while exploring the history of entertainment and the cult of celebrity. Circus clown and presidential candidate: A 21st century punch line, that conjunction made perfect sense to the mid-19th century, in the person of Dan Rice. A runaway at 13, Rice was a pig presenter, strongman, lecturer, comic singer, blackface clown, before joining the dazzling world of circus. Creating Dan Rice's Great Show, and labeling himself the Great American Humorist, he spoke out on issues of the day until he become one of the most famous men in America. So what happened? Why did Dan Rice disappear? Why have so few people ever heard of him? Propelled by a vague urge of "refinement"-which mostly meant quiet audiences-American amusements began to stratify in the mid-19th century. The raucous antebellum jumble of performers and audiences and forms split along a new performance hierarchy of high and low. Circus, though still vastly popular, became seen as essentially lowbrow, good only for children, simple jokes, and nostalgia. In that changed world, Rice's aggressive humor became an embarrassment, and his robust connection with a noisy, participatory audience became seen as a civic threat. David Carlyon weaves a remarkably rich portrait of turbulent times that raised one ambitious, creative man to glorious heights and then, embarrassed by its enthusiasm, buried him in sentimentality and finally oblivion.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Seller's Description:
Like New. Size: 6x1x9; Hardcover. First Edition / First Printing. Full Number line. Near Fine / Near Fine dust jacket with minor shelf wear on top edge. Free of any markings and no writing. For Additional Information or pictures, Please Inquire.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. Not ex-lib; remainder stripe lower page edges, 8vo. Hardcover with white paper over boards and red quarter-binding, in illustrated white jacket, 8vo. xix + 506pp. + note on publisher. Index, bibliography, endnotes throughout. Fine/NF to Fine. Several touches of scuffing to rear panel of jacket. Book and jacket are otherwise as new: bright, tight, sharp and unmarked. Jacket in Brodart.
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Seller's Description:
Near Fine in Very Good jacket. First edition. Near fine in very good dustwrapper. Remainder mark, spine ends bumped, dustwrapper lightly shelf rubbed with some smudge marks on covers and bottom of spine, spine ends bumped. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information.
