Ching Ling Foo : America's First Chinese Superstar

Published by Drowsy Emperor Press

ISBN 10: 1951943201 (ISBN 13: 9781951943202)

  • Softcover
  • New
See all details

Seller: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, GermanyAHA-BUCH GmbH

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since August 14, 2006

View this seller's items
Softcover

Condition: New

US$ 49.06

US$ 39.84 shipping 
Ships from Germany to U.S.A.

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket
Free 30-day returns

Item description from seller

nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - Ching Ling Foo: America's First Chinese Superstar tells the incredible story of the iconic Chinese magician Ching Ling Foo's obstacle laden rise to unprecedented fame and private railway car riding fortune as a bustling, polyglot, entertainment mad, ever richer, disruptive technology embracing America burst into the Twentieth Century. Ching Ling Foo; reportedly the greatest illusionist ever seen on American soil along with his talented family of musicians and acrobats overcome on stage attacks, deportation attempts, homeland tragedy, and a talented and diabolically clever American copycat to make an indelible impact on American popular culture becoming the highest paid, most popular performers in the United States - twice!Ching Ling Foo's story is a magical one that, with its focus on the interaction of Chinese and Western cultures, geopolitical tensions, international intrigue, nativism, the importance of celebrity and disruptive technological developments seemingly has much resonance for our current era.Even a partial list of 'the Original Chinese Conjurer's accomplishments still dazzle: Highest paid and most popular performer in American vaudeville, twice breaking box office records from 1898-1900 and again from 1912-1915 Inspired a mania for Chinese magic, a seemingly endless list of copycats, and one real genius: William Robinson, a.k.a. Chung Ling Soo, the doomed rival with whom Foo would become paired for eternity. Subject of a historic, precedent-setting deportation trial, closely followed across the U.S. Maker, in 1899, of the first sound recordings of Chinese music and singing. Instigator of the infamous 1905 London 'World Championship of Chinese Magic.' This much-hyped 'War of the Wizards' would pit Foo against archrival Chung Ling Soo, the stage name of American performer William Robinson-the man who had appropriated both Foo's act and his identity. The contest and its denouement would result in an enduring mystery when, at the last minute, the sphinxlike Foo walked away from his own challenge. (This biography will provide, for the first time, a plausible and research-based solution to this otherwise puzzling outcome.) Maker, in 1911, of Wuchang Uprising, considered by many to be China's first documentary. This daring and innovative war documentary, which played to rapt audiences in theaters across China, would play a significant role in rallying opposition to the Qing Dynasty and the founding of the Chinese Republic. In the 1930s, more than a decade after his death, his impact on the evolution of the film industry would be acknowledged when the man who would become known as the father of film special effects-and an inspiration for George Lucas's Star Wars-would identify Foo as the man who mentored him in the field of optical illusion.Beyond all this-and there is more-perhaps the genial and charismatic Chinese conjurer's greatest legacy was in the area of cultural and person-to-person diplomacy. In the era of the uniquely discriminatory Chinese Exclusion Act, over a period of almost 20 years, Ching Ling Foo and his talented family, through the joyful and dignified presentation of their sheer talent, managed to introduce to an American public awash in very hostile representations involving opium, deceit, and vice, what was aptly termed a very 'different picture.'.

Seller Inventory # 9781951943202

Bibliographic details

Title
Ching Ling Foo : America's First Chinese Superstar
Author
Samuel D Porteous
Publisher
Drowsy Emperor Press
Condition
Neu
Binding
Taschenbuch
Item weight
804 grams
Dimensions
229x152x29 mm

AHA-BUCH GmbH

Einbeck, Germany

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since August 14, 2006

Shipping rates from Germany to U.S.A.

Item7 to 10 business days5 to 7 business days
First itemUS$ 39.84US$ 51.22
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Bank Wire Transfer
  • Check
  • Paypal

Store description

Das Unternehmen AHA-BUCH GmbH: Seit der Gründung von AHA-BUCH im Juli 2005 ist unser Hauptziel, zufriedenen Kunden so schnell und so preisgünstig wie möglich ihren Bücherwunsch zu erfüllen. Unsere Firma beschäftigt 16 Mitarbeiter, die nur ein Ziel kennen: den Kunden und seine Wünsche! Auf über 3700 m2 Fläche haben wir über 100.000 Bücher, Modernes Antiquariat und Spiele auf Lager.

Specialty

Kinderbücher & Kinderhör Casetten, German Books, Software, Natur & Tiere, Ratgeber, Sachbücher, Englische Bücher, Medizin & Gesundheit, Universität & Studium

Seller's business information

AHA-BUCH GmbH

Garlebsen 48
Einbeck, Germany 37574