Factsheet Five: The Definitive Guide to the Zine Revolution
Number 58, Fall 1995
Shocked and Amazed! review by R. Seth Friedman
To call this a zine would hardly do it justice. Nor is it a magazine– hardly one of those sterile, boring corporate rags. It’s much closer to a book, but with more excitement and nervous energy. James Taylor compiled one of the most fascinating inside views of the classic carnival sideshow. Through extensive interviews and the most incredible photos James gives us an inside view of this long lost part of Americana. Starting it off is a 10-page interview with Ward Hall, considered by many to be the King of the Sideshows. He talks about how he got started in sideshows, how important sideshows were to the entire carnival, and what led to their eventual downfall. Most surprising is how generous and kind he was to the “freaks” who worked for him. Much more so than the agencies that eventually came along to “protect” them. I also loved the seven-page glossary of carny lingo, documenting a (s)language that has fallen into disuse. With so much more, this volume will most certain overwhelm you. If you’re into that whole “modern primitives” thing, check out this book to find the roots of it all. The most incredible thing about it? James is currently working on a second volume which he promises to be even more amazing. Highly recommended.