DESCRIPTION
Lion Tamers I Have Seen and Known is not a conventional history, but a journey through the golden age of circus lion acts, told by a lifelong circus devotee. Bob Cunningham reflects on decades of performances, performers, and unforgettable moments inside the famed “steel cage of death,” drawing on childhood memories, personal encounters, and meticulous research.
Rather than focusing on a single performer, the book pays tribute to the many lion tamers, famous and forgotten, who risked their lives for the spectacle and wonder of the circus. Bob Cunningham shares vivid anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and thoughtful observations on courage, trust, bravado, and the complex bond between humans and wild animals. Along the way, he traces the gradual disappearance of animal acts from the circus, shaped by changing attitudes, rising costs, and modern restrictions.
Richly illustrated and infused with nostalgia, Lion Tamers captures the excitement, danger, and pageantry of a vanished era. It is both a tribute and a farewell, ideal for circus enthusiasts, historians, and readers fascinated by the human stories behind extraordinary live performance.