Battle for the Big Top Audiobook By Les Standiford cover art

Battle for the Big Top

P.T. Barnum, James Bailey, John Ringling, and the Death-Defying Saga of the American Circus

Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31 2025 at 11:59PM PT
Prime logo
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Battle for the Big Top

By: Les Standiford
Narrated by: B.J. Harrison
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.19

Buy for $25.19

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

“Les Standiford takes us under the big top and behind the curtain in this richly researched and thoroughly engaging narrative that captures all of the entrepreneurial intrigue and spirit of the American circus.” (Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Devil in the Grove)

Millions have sat under the “big top,” watching as trapeze artists glide and clowns entertain, but few know the captivating stories behind the men whose creativity, ingenuity, and determination created one of our country’s most beloved pastimes.

In Battle for the Big Top, New York Times best-selling author Les Standiford brings to life a remarkable era when three circus kings - James Bailey, P. T. Barnum, and John Ringling - all vied for control of the vastly profitable and influential American Circus. Ultimately, the rivalry of these three men resulted in the creation of an institution that would surpass all intentions and, for 147 years, hold a nation spellbound.

Filled with details of their ever-evolving showmanship, business acumen, and personal magnetism, this Ragtime-like narrative will delight and enchant circus-lovers and anyone fascinated by the American experience.

©2021 Les Standiford (P)2021 PublicAffairs
Americas Entertainment & Performing Arts United States Business Circus History
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup

Critic reviews

"Exercising his eye for exotic detail, Les Standiford gives us the charming and captivating saga of the outsized characters who dreamed, connived, and maneuvered to bring Gilded-Age America its most compelling source of entertainment - the circus. What a surprise to learn that behind all those bejeweled elephants and hair-raising acts lay a cutthroat battle to create the Greatest Show on Earth.” (Erik Larson, author of The Splendid and the Vile)

“A mesmerizing, larger-than-life tale from brilliant storyteller Les Standiford - P.T. Barnum himself would tell you it's well worth the price of admission. With acrobatic grace and escalating suspense, Standiford documents the evolution of the American circus, in a masterful work of nonfiction as spellbinding as the monsters, mermaids, balletic elephants, and charismatic ringleaders that fill its pages.” (Karen Russell, author of the New York Times best seller Swamplandia!)

Battle for the Big Top is as rollicking, infectious, and enthralling as the subject it covers. With verve and style to spare, Les Standiford spins an unforgettable and addictively readable yarn about the three great showmen of the wildest of all entertainments - the American circus. What a blast.” (Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River and Shutter Island)

All stars
Most relevant  
An interesting overview of the people and events that defined the birth and evolution of the American circus.

A good overview of the history of the American circus

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I started reading this author a couple years ago and can’t put down any book that he does. The book about Key West Railroad was awesome and every ensuing book is great. So well written and well researched. Doesn’t get into too much minutia. Excellent history and just great writing. Read this book and then want to read all his other

Another home run

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

A wonderfully written storyline on the history of the circus bringing in multiple circus founders and telling their long stories. very enjoyable.

Great book on the history of the circus!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

What a vividly articulated history of the circus!!! I went as s kid. I read a book on the Hartford incident and really appreciated the information here. I recommend highly; a very enlightening read!!! 👏 ☕ 📚

Fantastic!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.