Contents -- Foreword by Fred Dahlinger Jr. -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. The Idea for a Circus: 1848-1881 -- 2. Hall Shows and an Overland Circus: 1882-1884 -- 3. Establishing a Reputation: 1885-1894 -- 4. Taking to the Rails and Growing: 1890-1894 -- 5. A Giant Emerges: 1895-1899 -- 6. Facing a New Century: 1900-1901 -- 7. Making Money and Pleasing People: 1902-1903 -- 8. Keeping the Lead: 1904-1905 -- 9. Becoming Even Larger: 1906-1907 -- 10. Managing Two Big Shows: 1908-1909 -- 11. Doing the Impossible: 1910-1911 -- 12. Tax Woes: 1912-1914 -- 13. The Effects of War: 1915-1918 -- Epilogue: After Ringlingville -- Appendixes -- I. 1903 Ringling Brothers' Official Program -- II. The Ringling Family -- III. Ringling Homes in Baraboo and Vicinity -- Notes -- Index.