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About this item
Highlights
- The story of the audacious showman who built the greatest carnival dynasty in North America.Enter the realm of the carnie king, Patty Conklin, the flamboyant founder of what would become the world's largest carnival company.
- About the Author: John Thurston is a one-time carnie who went on to become a writer and editor.
- 512 Pages
- Biography + Autobiography, Entertainment & Performing Arts
Description
About the Book
The first-ever biography of Patty Conklin, the founder of the world's largest carnival company, and the story of the show's expansion under his son and grandson. Carnie King is a vivid account of three generations of showmen and their dominance of the midways across North America.Book Synopsis
The story of the audacious showman who built the greatest carnival dynasty in North America.Enter the realm of the carnie king, Patty Conklin, the flamboyant founder of what would become the world's largest carnival company. Patty started on the mean streets of New York selling peanuts before becoming a a small-time operator. Willing to try anything to promote his show, he established himself as a carnie celebrity. Winning the midway contract for the Canadian National Exhibition in 1937, he made it his personal world's fair. It became the foundation for his son and grandson to expand Conklin Shows until they were playing the biggest fairs and exhibitions throughout North America.
Carnie King begins with the birth of Joseph Renker to German immigrant parents, tells of his personal transformation into Patty Conklin, and follows his incredible life through to his death in 1970. It covers his company's history after Jim Conklin took over, expanded it beyond recognition, then handed it on to his own son.
Not only a history of Conklin Shows, Carnie King explores how midways work and their commercial and popular presence in North America The story it tells is based on dozens of interviews with carnies and access to the Conklin archives. It includes anecdotes about a range of characters and insights about life on the midway. Carnie King is at once a revealing look at a unique part of twentieth-century culture and a vivid account of three generations of showmen and their dominance of midways across the continent.
Review Quotes
As the book unfolds, the reader is immersed in a bygone era of carnivals, fairs, and the rough and tumble world of midways.... A must-read!-- "Scooter Korek, Vice-President, North American Midway Entertainment"
About the Author
John Thurston is a one-time carnie who went on to become a writer and editor. With Carnie King, he brings together personal experience with his interest in popular culture. He lives in Ottawa.Dimensions (Overall): 9.1 Inches (H) x 5.7 Inches (W) x 1.5 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.8 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 512
Genre: Biography + Autobiography
Sub-Genre: Entertainment & Performing Arts
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Format: Hardcover
Author: John Thurston
Language: English
Street Date: July 30, 2024
TCIN: 89603584
UPC: 9781459749924
Item Number (DPCI): 247-34-4276
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1.5 inches length x 5.7 inches width x 9.1 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.8 pounds
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