Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)"The Tattooed Lady:A History" by first-time author Amelia Klem Ostrud is not my usual fare.But as "HistoryGuy1," I could not overlook this coffee-table book when I came across it at my local library.
Indeed, this is history, good history, a "peoples history" with solid documentation, a work not to be overlooked.
With many great photos, Osterud delivers a compelling narrative to describe the history of "tattooed ladies."Full-body-canvas tattooed ladies first appeared in the third quarter of the 19th century.They most often began as circus performers with outfits like Barnum and Bailey, the Ringling Brothers and other traveling circus shows.These early tattooed ladies "boldy went where none had gone before" in becoming a full body canvas for the curious to gaze upon.
In the era of sideshow "freaks," the tattooed lady took her place on the platform with giants, midgets, "the fat lady," "the thin man," "the bearded lady" and other freaks of nature. The "show" provided by the tattooed lady was to allow herself to be looked upon.A tattooed lady would exhibit parts of her body not normally seen by any man or any woman in public.
The artwork on the early tattooed ladies tended to mimic the artwork of tattooed men, sailor art in particular.Osterud points out that as the tattooed lady moved into the twentieth century she tended to choose artwork with a more feminine and distinctive touch,diverging from the artwork chosen by men.
Osterud provides background and insight into the mythology surrounding the tattooed ladies who "had gone the distance with body art."In direct contradiction of the myth, these famous tattooed ladies willingly and consciously chose to become tattooed ladies, defying the social mores of the era.Osterud points out that these women of mostly working class background could make a good living and achieve a level of independence that peers in their social class could never achieve.
"The Tattooed Lady" is an original work of social, economic and class history and a truly fun read.
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Product Description:
Living in a time when it was scandalous even to show a bit of ankle, a small number of courageous women covered their bodies in tattoos and traveled the country, performing nearly nude on carnival stages. These gutsy women spun amazing stories for captive audiences about abductions and forced tattooing at the hands of savages, but little has been shared of their real lives. Though they spawned a cultural movement-almost a quarter of Americans now have tattoos-these women have largely faded into history.
The first book of its kind, The Tattooed Lady uncovers the true stories behind these women, bringing them out of the sideshow realm and into their working class realities. Combining thorough research with more than a hundred historical photos, this social history explores tattoo origins, women's history, and circus lore. A fascinating read, The Tattooed Lady pays tribute to a group of unique and amazing women whose legacy lives on.
Amelia Klem Osterud is a tattooed academic librarian from Wisconsin. She has a master's degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and writes and lectures on the subject. This is her first book. Visit her author blog at tattooedladyhistory.vox.com
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