Spangles, Elephants, Violets & Me:the Ci - Couverture rigide

Cristiani Rossi, Vic

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0595853897 ISBN 13 : 9780595853892

Editeur : Iuniverse Inc, 2007

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Spangles, Elephants, Violets & Me is a moving and revealing journey back to the playground of Victoria Cristiani Rossi's youth. It is, quite simply, one thought-provoking train ride-one that involves fairy tales, nightmares and miracles. Victoria describes the tempestuous world of her Internationally Famous Cristiani Riding Act family (former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey superstars), her life-altering convent experiences, starting at age six, and her near-fatal accident under the big top in Los Angeles. There are fascinating glimpses of Emmett Kelly, Karl Wallenda, Hugo Zacchini and disgraced 1950's quiz-show contestant Charles Van Doren. Spangles, Elephants, Violets & Me is also a story of the American dream, the confluence of wealth and fame, the strength and frailty of family, social and economic ambition, misplaced trust, conflict, loss and redemption. Victoria's gift for writing is most evident as she builds dramatic contrast between days spent happily on the circus lot, and haunting nights spent away from it. Employing her authentic voice and role in circus history, Victoria honors an institution often caught publicly and unfortunately between its defenders and detractors, a situation that can preempt enjoyment of its true reason for being, or appreciation of the circus industry's numerous contributions to American culture.

Présentation de l'éditeur

Victoria's life is covered in fragments from age six to nineteen, at which point her circus career (and almost her life) ends in Los Angeles when she is hurled from a performing elephant before a capacity crowd teeming with Hollywood movie stars. Victoria was mostly educated in a series of Catholic boarding schools. She recounts starting first grade at a rigid Kentucky-based academy, haunted by the mortal outcries of a crazed nun. Thereafter, the author sets the stage and charts a journey that takes her audience on a remarkable whistle-stop tour. The audience enters the big top, not by way of the marquee, but rather through the back yard of the circus lot. While Victoria recalls the dreams and blunders of her family, she manages to interweave the bumpy path of her own personal struggles. The miracle that follows is just as magical as the spirit of the circus itself. Victoria Cristiani Rossi's well-written memoir takes readers into what it was like growing up in the world's most honored circus family. Her most interesting story provides a rare inside look at this multitalented group of artists. Compelling I could not put it down! -Fred D. Pfening Jr., Editor of Bandwagon: The Journal of the Circus Historical Society

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Iuniverse Inc
• Date d'édition: 2007
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0595853897
• ISBN 13: 9780595853892
• Reliure: Relié
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible