The Arts of Deception - Playing with Fraud in the Age of Barnum

List of contents

About the author

James W. Cook is Assistant Professor of History and American Culture at the University of Michigan.

Summary

In The Arts of Deception, James Cook explores the distinctly modern mode of trickery designed to puzzle the eye and challenge the brain. Upsetting the normally strict boundaries of value, race, class, and truth, the spectacles offer a revealing look at the tastes, concerns, and prejudices of America's very first mass audiences.

Product details

• Authors: James W. Cook, Cook James W.
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.07.2001
• EAN: 9780674005914
• ISBN: 978-0-674-00591-4
• Weight: 522 g
• Illustrations: 22 halftones, 1 line illustration
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Cultural history; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; USA, Circus, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture, History: specific events & topics, Cultural Studies, PERFORMING ARTS / Circus, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, HISTORY / United States / 19th Century, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, United States of America, USA, Popular beliefs and controversial knowledge, History: specific events and topics, History of the Americas, Hoaxes & deceptions, Circus and circus skills, History of Performing Arts