Learned pigs & fireproof women /

And you thought Ed Sullivan had a really big show. This full history of the world's strangest entertainers introduces the weirdest assortment of show-biz personalities to ever appear before the footlights. In the learned pig category, there is Toby, the Amazing Pig of Knowledge, who is supposed to have written his own biography. (Rather surprisingly, there are a number of entertaining pigs in history, though their accomplishments were more routine than Toby's.) Also chronicled are magicians, mentalists, freaks, fakes, and sword swallowers, to name but a few of the acts. An extremely odd but undeniably fascinating book. To be indexed. IC. 790.2'092 (B) Entertainers Biography / Curiosities and wonders / Abnormalities, Human / Abnormalities (Animals) [OCLC] 85-40880

A magician himself, the author offers a history of magicians and other performers, including animals trained to do arithmetic and limbless people able to play musical instruments. PW stated the dozens of illustrations alone ``are worth the price of the book.'' (November) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Beginning with a somewhat confusing title, this account by magician Jay of unusual entertainers from the 17th century to the present attempts a monumental task. In these pages are an assortment of spritualists, freaks, talking horses, mind readers, sword swallowers, and people who walk through fire. The author has a keen sense of humor about his subjects and is ambivalent in his attempt to separate fact from fiction. Clearly he finds much to admire in some of the lovable charlatans who have entertained audiences throughout the world. There are numerous original playbills, advertisements, drawings, and photographs interspersed throughout the text of this unique and colorful book. For larger collections. Preferred Choice Book Club alternate. Samuel Simons, Memorial Hall Lib., Andover, Mass. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

YA A historical compendium of the world's most bizarre and outrageous entertainers by one of the world's great sleight-of-hand artists. Reaching back into history as early as the 16th Century, Jay introduces readers to daredevils, mind readers, talented animals and their trainers, sword swallowers, and other wonders of the past. Some have been geniuses, others charlatans, but all have captured the imagination of their public. Although Jay handles the material unevenly, readers should leave the book with awe of the inventive genius of man, and of the incredible stamina of the human body. This is a delightful book for YAs who have a penchant for the extraordinary. It is full of colorful illustrations, posters, and billboards of yesteryear. Anne Johnson, formerly at St. John's School, Houston (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.