Carnival Undercover - Softcover

Bret Witter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452284287 ISBN 13: 9780452284289

Publisher: Plume, 2003

Synopsis

An inside look at America's amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals reveals trade secrets about everything from how cotton candy is made to the country's most dangerous roller coasters, with tips on how to find the best seat on any ride, win the biggest prize in games of chance and skill, and make a carnival-style funnel cake at home. Original.

About this title

About the Author:

Bret Witter has been a carnival and amusement park enthusiast since his first visit to the North Alabama State Fair in 1978. This is his first book.

From School Library Journal:

Adult/High School-Ladies and gentlemen! Step right up and learn the secrets of the midway! Arranged for beginners, this book first gives an overview of the carnival layout and the psychology behind it. The section on food contains a brief history of the common items, as well as recipes for funnel cakes. In "Midway Games Revealed," the odds of winning are shared, though how these were determined isn't clear. More importantly, the tricks to the games are exposed-once one knows the physics of the can toss, it is easier to capture the giant stuffed animal that comes with the win. A brief history of roller coasters and other rides follows. Finally, a brief and respectful history of sideshow acts and their secrets is shared, with plenty of warnings against attempting these tricks at home. "A Field Guide to Carnies" is less successful, and the accompanying cartoons are a bit stereotypical. Otherwise, this is a great introduction for those who just want to know the way things work at carnivals and fairs.
Jamie Watson, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Plume
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0452284287
• ISBN 13: 9780452284289
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224