His father was a magician; his mother trained white doves. A native of Saint John, N.B., Russ Whitebone grew up in the colourful world of the Big Top and the vaudeville stage, often sleeping in a wardrobe trunk while his parents performed. He soon found his own place in the spotlight.

Showman is Russ Whitebone’s own story. It follows his career from the carnival circuit of the 1920’s — when he performed as “Baby Russell, World’s Youngest Trapeze Artiste” — through the war years in Europe, where he travelled as an Army Show ventriloquist and comedian.

His reminiscences are rich with detail and anecdote, conjuring a world that has all but vanished. The concluding chapters of Showman make it clear that even in partial retirement Russ Whitebone sustains the good humour, vitality and keen enthusiasm which have enabled him to bring pleasure to so many.