How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935

Americans have always shown a fascination with the people, customs, and legends of the “East” — witness the popularity of the stories of the Arabian Nights , the performances of Arab belly dancers and acrobats, the feats of turban-wearing vaudeville magicians, and even the antics of fez-topped Shriners. In this captivating volume, Susan Nance provides a social and cultural history of this highly popular genre of Easternized performance in America up to the Great Depression. According to Nance, t