The Wall of Death in its various forms
has thrilled and entertained audiences since the 1920s. Across the
generations crowds have flocked to watch the seemingly impossible as
riders tackle the vertical face of the Wall and compete with each
other to perform ever more outrageous stunts. The Wall's story
includes danger, eccentrics, foreign adventure, murder, bears, lions
and dynasties - tracing the history of popular entertainment along
the way.This, the first comprehensive world history of the Wall
of Death, explores its origins around the turn of the nineteenth
century and chronicles the Wall through its glory days before and
after the Second World War, its subsequent decline and more recent
revival. Along the way we discover the men and machines, including
the great Indian Scout motorbikes, how the Wall has entered
entertainment folklore and the innovations used to stand out from
the crowd, ranging from the spherical Globe of Death to the use of
cars and go-karts.
Co-written by Allan Ford, who has been a Wall rider for over
thirty years, and including over 150 original images, this is a
fascinating and unique insight into a part of entertainment
folklore. Condition: Fine - almost as new.
Click on photograph for close-up of the copy available.
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