During the 1920s and rsquo;30s; Franz Taiboshmdash;whose stage name was Clickomdash;performed in front of millions as one of the stars of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus. Prior to his fame in the United States; Taibosh toured the world as the ldquo;Wild Dancing Bushman;rdquo; showing off his frenzied dance moves in freak shows; sideshows; and music halls from Australia to Cuba. When he died in 1940; the New York Times called him ldquo;the only African bushman ever exhibited in this country.rdquo; In Clicko; Neil Parsons unearths the untold story of Taiboshrsquo;s journey from boyhood on a small farm in South Africa to top billing as one of the travelling Worldrsquo;s Fair Freaks.Through Taiboshrsquo;s tale; Parsons brings to life the bizarre golden age of entertainment as well as the role that the dubious new science of race played in it. Beginning with Taiboshrsquo;s early life; Clicko untangles the real story of his ancestry from the web of myths spun around him on his rise to international stardom. Parsons then chronicles the unhappy middle period of Taiboshrsquo;s career; when he suffered under the heel of a vicious manager. Left to freeze and nearly starve in an unheated apartment; Taibosh was rescued by Frank Cook; Barnum Baileyrsquo;s lawyer. The Cooks adopted Taibosh as a member of their family of circus managers and performers; and his happymdash;if far from averagemdash;years with them make up the final chapter of this remarkable story.Equal parts entertaining and disturbing; Clicko vividly evokes a forgotten era when vaudeville drew massive crowds and circus freaks were featured in Billboard and Variety. Parsons introduces us to colorful characters such as George Auger the giant and the original Zip the Pinhead; but above all; he gives us an unforgettable portrait of Franz Taibosh; rescued at last from the racists and the romantics and revealed here as an ordinary man with an extraordinary life.
#1080703 in eBooks 2011-12-07 2011-12-07File Name: B004KPM1PS
Review
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful. Uninspiring projects. unclear instructions. not for beginners.By JenniferAs a BurdaStyle fan. I was very excited to receive this book. But to be honest. now that Ive reviewed it. I dont think this book or the patterns are very inspiring. The best variations on each project are not the ones discussed in detail in the book. Theyre the ones on the photo page at the end of each project that show you different project variations created by 12 or so BurdaStyle members. You dont get instructions on pattern alterations. etc.. for those versions. Plus. the instructions for each project arent always very clear. Im not sure how much Ill actually use this book.Also. this book is not for beginners. Only one of the projects included is at the novice level. which doesnt seem like a good way to build confidence. I understand that increasing skill levels are the whole point. but making one easy bag that isnt really that easy isnt going to prepare you to make a dress. Anyone who wants to begin sewing should just look for tutorials on the internet. Find out how to make your own skirts just by taking your measurements. Look at a YouTube video about installing an invisible zipper. Seriously. if I were a total beginner and someone gave me the BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook as a guide. I would run away crying.If anyone wants recommendations for a good beginners sewing handbook. I would recommend Colette. I purchased that book and have already had tons of fun with it. The photos and instructions are clear. and for the first time ever Im working with patterns and I dont feel afraid. It doesnt offer pattern variations. but after making a few projects I see my own variations that Id like to try. I dont need someone to point them out to me! Its a much more clear and creative handbook than this one.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great for any one who sews. beginner or advancedBy Susan C.This book walks you step by step on sewing. It doesnt matter if you are a beginner or advanced. The beginning of the book walks you through the basics of how to sew. As an advanced sewer I still learned a lot I didnt know. The included patters have about 12 variations to make each item your own. The dress. for example. takes a basic pattern and shows 3 designers styles and 14 styles by "regular" people who sew. The patterns all show how to make necessary changes. including size. to make it your own design. Ill need to buy another pattern again!5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Lots of great projects. but watch out!By megtuoLots of great projects. but watch out for missing pattern pieces and steps in the detailed instructions. I couldnt find the back facing pattern piece for the blouse on any of the pattern sheets. Made my own. but it was frustrating! Read through instructions carefully step-by-step before starting any of the projects. If you cant figure something out. its probably not just you :)Also. I have found that all Burda patterns run quite large. I would suggest making a mock-up/muslin or sizing down.
