Publisher's Synopsis
Everyone who went to the Show saw Sideshow Alley. Not all approved, but all who saw the Alley were changed by it. Sideshow Alley helped shape the imaginations of young Australians. It gave them a sense of wonder, of excitement, and of danger. The book explains the rise, the glories and the death of Sideshow Alley. It explains in detail the history of the travelling freak, the exotic, illusion and boxing tents within this Alley of Wonders, and challenges the view that freak shows and boxing tents were places of exploitation. Based on extensive interviews with old Showies, it provides detail of the history of popular culture in Australia. It is illustrated with photographs that span a hundred years.
