Ringling: The Florida Years, 1911-1936 »

This book is a careful crafted analysis of both the public and the private life of one of American history's most colorful and influential culture brokers...

Library Journal

Weeks, who lectures at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, presents a serviceable account of one of the famous Ringling brothers, John Nicholas, from his move to Sarasota in 1911 until his death in 1936. The book begins with a comprehensive overview of Florida's economy in the early 20th century. Ringling wintered his circus in Sarasota and thus became involved with the development of the city during the 1920s. However, during the early years of the Depression, Ringling suffered from ill health and financial problems. After his death, his estate was in probate for many years, resulting in the near loss of his legacy to the state of Florida. This book provides an excellent description of Florida, economically and socially, during the boom and depression of the 1920s and 1930s and should appeal to general readers interested in economic and social history.-- H. Denyse Seaman, Baylor Univ. Law Lib., Waco, Tex.