Sawdust & Spangles: Stories & Secrets of the Circus

Step into the dust‑filled world of turn‑of‑the‑century traveling shows, where the roar of elephants and the sparkle of spangles mask a hard‑won craft. Through a series of informal recollections, a seasoned showman guides the listener from his childhood days with a wagon‑train to the bustling backstage of a menagerie, sharing the everyday perils of feeding, training, and moving exotic beasts. The narration captures the rough humor of a troupe that wrestles with everything from stubborn elephants to the logistics of a midnight circus train.

Listeners will hear vivid snapshots—a daring encounter with a runaway train, the bright rivalry between “freak” attractions, and the quiet moments when a horse learns a two‑step. The storyteller’s plain‑spoken, picture‑rich language brings to life the camaraderie, superstitions, and sheer spectacle that kept the big top alive. It’s a candid glimpse into a vanished era, offering both nostalgia and a deeper appreciation for the people and animals who made the circus a traveling wonder.