| Description |
1 online resource (xiv, 318 pages) : illustrations |
| Contents |
Machine generated contents note: Introduction : beyond the z-ray -- Ch. 1 electric wonder show -- Ch. 2 techno-wizard -- Ch. 3 hypnotist -- Ch. 4 magician -- Ch. 5 mind reader -- Ch. 6 missionaries -- Ch. 7 Flying saucers |
| Summary |
"In Wonder Shows, Fred Nadis offers a colorful history of traveling magicians, inventors, popular science lecturers, and other presenters of "miracle science" who revealed science and technology to the public in awe-inspiring fashion. The book provides an innovative synthesis of the history of performance with a wider study of culture, science, and religion from the antebellum period to the present." "Although most recent defenders of science are prone to reject wonder, considering it an ally of ignorance and superstition, Wonder Shows demonstrates that the public's passion for magic and meaning is still very much alive. Today, sales continue to be made and allegiances won based on illusions that products are unique, singular, and at best, miraculous. Nadis establishes that contemporary showmen, corporate publicists, advertisers, and popular science lecturers are not that unlike the magicians and mesmerists of years ago."--Jacket |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Notes |
In English |
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Print version record |
| Subject |
Science news -- United States -- History -- 19th century
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Science news -- United States -- History -- 20th century
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Magic shows -- United States -- History -- 19th century
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Magic shows -- United States -- History -- 20th century
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Revivals -- United States -- History -- 19th century
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Revivals -- United States -- History -- 20th century
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PERFORMING ARTS -- Reference.
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Magic shows
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Revivals
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Science news
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United States
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| Genre/Form |
History
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| LC no. |
2004008245 |
| ISBN |
0813541212 |
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9780813541211 |
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081353898X |
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9780813538983 |
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