Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women

From Publishers Weekly
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." Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
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, HoustonCopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
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.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.


James Randi, The New York Times Book Review
The most satisfying array of oddities, marvels, and novelties that has been gathered together in a blue moon . . . well-written and exhaustively researched . . . it belongs within reach of anyone who wishes to rejoice over the strange quirks and glorious victories of our species. The folks who fill these pages are real, and they should invoke in us a deep sense of wonder.


Book Description
A cult classic and a work of remarkable scholarship restored to print. Ricky Jay is one of the world's great sleight-of-hand artists. He is also a most unusual and talented scholar, specializing in the bizarre, exotic, and fantastic side of the human species. The youngest magician to have appeared on television, Jay has become well known for his astonishing stage show as well as for his cameos in such movies as Glengarry Glen Ross and, most recently, Boogie Nights. Jay's unparalleled collection of books, posters, photographs, programs, broadsides, and, most important, data about unjustifiably forgotten entertainers all over the world made this unique book possible. An investigation into the inspired world of sideshows, circuses, and singularly talented performers, Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women is history of the most unusual--and irresistible--sort.


About the Author
Ricky Jay is the author of Cards as Weapons and has appeared both on television and in movies. He has worked with Joseph Papp, Francis Ford Coppola, and David Mamet. He is currently writing a book about great wagers through history.


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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


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