Ernest Albrecht’s latest book chronicles the artistic evolution of the Greatest Show on Earth.

Circus historian and critic Ernest Albrecht has been attending performances of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus his entire life. Early visits as a toddler introduced him to the Greatest Show on Earth during the John Ringling North era. Later, established as a New York City theater critic, he carefully examined edition after edition produced by the Feld family. Now, armed with scores of interviews with performers, staff, and directors, he has taken on the task of evaluating how the legendary show has matured and endured over a century and a half. Albrecht’s newest offering is an erudite examination of America’s most successful entertainment empire. Two of the author’s previous books concentrated on contemporary or “new circus”; this latest volume distills the acknowledged circus expert’s observations and opinions as to why this one particular traditional circus remains vibrant and viable in twenty-first century America. ...