Ringling: The Florida Years, 1911-1936

By David Chapin Weeks and David C. Weeks

Book Overview

John Nicholas Ringling's years in Sarasota spanned the final quarter-century of his life. On Florida's west coast, as the Ringling's Circus became "the greatest show on earth," he collected Baroque paintings, European decorative art, and Italian statuary, built the ostentatious mansion Ca'd'Zan, developed and marketed most of the barrier islands around Sarasota Bay, and became the focus of a confusing pastiche of acclaim, misconception, and suspicion. Sarasota's Ringling Museum is his priceless cultural legacy to the people of Florida and the world of art--an inheritance at risk for the ten years that Ringling's estate was in probate. The author of this first intensive look at Ringling's presence in Sarasota sets the man against the backdrop of Florida from World War I through the land boom and the turbulent twenties into the depression years and Ringling's lapse into obscurity. Illustrated with nearly fifty black-and-white photographs, many never before published, this is the chronicle of a man, as the foreword claims, "who was not afraid to think or live on a grand scale, who knew what he wanted from life, and from art."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813012430
• ISBN13: 9780813012438
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: University Press of Florida
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

rare find

Rare history of the early circus

Fantastic Read

I'm a second generation Sarasotan so of course I have an interest in Ringling. My grandfather worked on the construction of the house and museum and my dad told me unbelievable tails of what Sarasota was like back when the Circus winter headquarters were located not far from town. This book is a mesmerizing tale of how John Ringling grew up and with his brothers invented the Greatest Show on Earth. Upon choosing Sarasota to be his winter headquarters, he helped change a sleepy little fishing village into the wonderfully charming and culturally rich city Sarasota is today. Much of what Ringling did to shape Sarasota, sell real estate to northerners, lure the rich and famous to town, develop the barrier islands and build bridges to them, amass priceless works of historically important works of art (which he left to the people of Florida) are told in this book. It also tells the tragedies of Ringling's personal and business life. Its a great read, a real page turner for those that love history, Sarasota, or the circus. Its published by University Press of Florida which should tell of the quality of the research. Just how good a read is it? I devoured it, which is normal for me if it is a great book. But my wife, who grew up in New Jersey, who has only visited Sarasota to see my family, who falls asleep in movies and while reading more then 2 pages, SHE READ THE ENTIRE BOOK during a week while we were on vacation in Sarasota. My wife is not a reader. If its not something needed to be read for her career she doesn't read. This is the ONLY book my wife has found enjoying enough to read in the 13 years since I've known her and that includes her trying to read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil which is a page turner. Its a wonderful read and so far the best book I have found on Sarasota history.

Great Story About The Man That Put Sarasota On The Map

I'm a second generation Sarasotan so of course I have an interest in Ringling. My grandfather worked on the construction of the house and museum and my dad told me unbelievable tails of what Sarasota was like back when the Circus winter headquarters were located not far from town. This book is a mesmerizing tale of how John Ringling grew up and with his brothers invented the Greatest Show on Earth. Upon choosing Sarasota to be his winter headquarters, he helped change a sleepy little fishing village into the wonderfully charming and culturally rich city Sarasota is today. Much of what Ringling did to shape Sarasota, sell real estate to northerners, lure the rich and famous to town, develop the barrier islands and build bridges to them, amass priceless works of historically important works of art (which he left to the people of Florida) are told in this book. It also tells the tragedies of Ringling's personal and business life. Its a great read, a real page turner for those that love history, Sarasota, or the circus. Its published by University Press of Florida which should tell of the quality of the research. Just how good a read is it? I devoured it, which is normal for me if it is a great book. But my wife, who grew up in New Jersey, who has only visited Sarasota to see my family, who falls asleep in movies and while reading more then 2 pages, SHE READ THE ENTIRE BOOK during a week while we were on vacation in Sarasota. My wife is not a reader. If its not something needed to be read for her career she doesn't read. This is the ONLY book my wife has found enjoying enough to read in the 13 years since I've known her and that includes her trying to read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil which is a page turner. Its a wonderful read and so far the best book I have found on Sarasota history.

Great person and man !!

I have personally toured the John Ringling Mansion (Estate) and museum, which was truly amazing. For example, his home is uniquely built seeking that the entire structure is made of poured cement and steel. What foresight he had in building his own museum to hold some of his most valuable pieces of art. In current value (today's dollars) some have stated that the Ringling art collect could exceed $350 million dollars ...wow !! Overall, the book gives great details from John Ringling's life in traveling through Wisconsin, New York, and Europe; all the while entertaining millions. The writer also gives some insight to how John Ringling operated his business and his financial empire, which was like a roller coaster. John Ringling built up a wonderful empire, which during the 1920's was reported to have been one of top 10 wealthiest Americans. Tragically, though Ringling was a classic case of poor liquidity (i.e., asset rich though little or poor levels of hard cash reserves). At Ringling's death he had only $300 dollars cash with million of dollars locked-up in a magnificent art collection. Overall, I truly recommend reading this interesting book.

The Florida Years of John Ringling

When you hear the name Ringling, one thing immediately comes to mind - the Circus - bright, colorful, flamboyant, and entertaining. David Weeks' biography of John Ringling shows a portrait, not only of the man behind the circus, but also of a portrait of a city and region that he called home. Although John Ringling's dealings were not always ethical or legal, his vision greatly influenced the development and growth of Sarasota, especially during the boom and bust years of the 1920s and 1930s. Ringling was a complex man who was both very private and very public. Weeks delves into his subject with a respect for this complexity. Ringling is a good read if you are interested in the development of Southwest Florida or in the world of the rich and famous of the 1920s.