Aaron Smith's book, "Natural Born! Circus, Sideshow and the Art of Being Human," delves into the world of sideshow performers, who convey strong identity and empowerment through their art. Focusing on Coney Island, the book emphasizes the significance of disabled performers in this unique entertainment form. Smith, a former circus worker himself, spent four years interviewing 20 natural-born sideshow artists, highlighting their resilience and the evolving nature of the sideshow community, which retains its roots in Coney Island's historic entertainment scene.
"Coney's not just where the sideshow survived. It's where it evolved. There's a hierarchy in circus life, and at Coney Island, disabled performers - 'naturals,' as they call themselves - sit at the very top."
"I found that they were referring to disabled sideshow performers. I was surprised to learn that there are people still doing this today. I thought, 'I'm going to write a book about them and I'm going to do it right now.'"
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