Art&DesignSpring2025

ALSO AVAILABLE ISBN: 978-0-7643-6882-0 Size: 8 1/2" x 11" (216 x 279 mm) Pages: 224 Price: $45.00 USD, £40.99, 62.00 CAD Illustrations: 47 color & 41 b/w images Binding: hardcover BISAC: PERFORMING ARTS / Circus HISTORY / Social History BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts To the Hilt A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing (1700s to Present) By Marc Hartzman & Dan Meyer An authoritative compendium on sword swallowing, featuring historical biographies, expert insights, rare photos, and behind- the-scenes stories from contemporary sword swallowers. To the Hilt is a riveting exploration into the mysterious and dangerous world of sword swallowing, charting its history from ancient rituals to modern-day performances. Cowritten by world- renowned sword swallower Dan Meyer and celebrated sideshow historian Marc Hartzman, this volume delves into the lives of over 100 sword swallowers. • Definitive compendium of historical biographies : Highlights the captivating lives of historical sword swallowers from the 1700s to the present, many of whom have never been profiled in other books. • Behind the scenes with modern performers : Provides an inside look at the wild stories and experiences of modern sword swallowers, who account for one out of every 300 million people alive today. • Expert perspectives : Readers will learn from Dan Meyer, the world’s leading expert on swordswallowing and viral TEDx presenter, as he shares his unique life experiences and relatable life lessons in his introductory essay. • Rare imagery : Contains a treasure trove of rare photographs and ephemera that bring the history of sword swallowing to life. • Medical insights : Outlines the medical risks and implications of sword swallowing through a doctor’s essay included in the book, which serves both as a warning and an elucidation of the phenomenon. To the Hilt is perfect for sideshow enthusiasts, history buffs, or those interested in pushing human capability to its limits in any domain. About the Author Dan Meyer is known as the world’s leading expert on sword swallowing. He is president of the Sword Swallowers Association International and winner of the 2007 Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine for medical research on sword swallowing. As a performer, Meyer holds 40 world records and has performed on over 100 TV shows, including 15 Got Talents, and live in 60 countries around the world. He lives in Mesa, Arizona. Marc Hartzman , “one of America’s leading connoisseurs of the bizarre" (ABC News), is the author of American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia of History’s Strangest and Most Wondrous Performers (Tarcher/Penguin) and nine other books. Marc has written nearly 100 articles on sideshow performers for AOL Weird News , HuffPost , and Bizarre magazine. He lives in New Rochelle, New York. ISBN 978-0-7643-6882-0 AMERICAN CARNIVAL 978-0-7643-5729-9 128 pp. | 9" x 6" (229 x 152 mm) | HC $16.99 USD, £15.99, 23.99 CAD FREAKS OF SIDESHOW AND FILM 978-0-7643-4845-7 224 pp. | 11" x 8 1/2" (279 x 216 mm) | HC $34.99 USD, £31.99, 48.99 CAD AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2025 UK PUB DATE APRIL 2025 16 | NEW THIS SEASON