A friend once asked me, 'What's the point of juggling three or five balls?' None, really, besides that not everybody can do it. Yet, juggling is one of humanity's oldest performing arts; it seems that every civilization known to man has produced amazing people who have successfully tried to keep objects moving simultaneously in the air in defiance of all laws of gravity. So, where does juggling comes from? When did it begin? What is its history? These are the questions Thom Wall has endeavored to answer in his fascinating book, Juggling From Antiquity To The Middle Ages. Thoroughly researched, richly illustrated, Thom Wall's book is a must-read for anyone interested in juggling or the circus arts in general, anyone interested in performing arts, and anyone with a curious mind.
- Dominique Jando, author, The Circus (1870-1950)
A scholarly approach to [the history of juggling that] takes on a lively feel through embellishments and discussions that successfully relate juggling skills and approaches to wider examinations of social organization, skills development, and cultural evolution.
Jugglers especially (but general-interest audiences, as well) will appreciate the surprising accessibility and depth in Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages: The Forgotten History of Catching and Throwing, a primer packed with unexpected insights and an exquisitely involving attention to detail.
- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Thom Wall has written a superb summary of almost everything known about ancient and medieval juggling. When I worked in this area a few decades ago, early juggling history was mostly poorly documented hearsay. Our knowledge has exploded since then, and Wall has done a masterful job of laying it all out in a readily accessible form. Anyone interested in either juggling or history will want to read this book.
- Prof. Arthur Lewbel, Boston College
Thom has made his mark with this book... a wonderfully written history - the first complete history of juggling through the Middle Ages.
- Karl-Heinz Ziethen, author, Juggling - The Past and Future & 4,000 Years of Juggling
Wall accomplishes his task of enlightening the reader on the origins of juggling, but has gone further. He has uncovered evidence of our innate curiosity with the world around us. Wall has found substantial evidence of the isolated development and evolution of skillful object manipulation throughour the cultural world. [This book] is surely one of the most important literature reviews to exist in the community of juggling.
- The Circus Report
Juggling: From Antiquity to the Middle Ages is an incredible resource to anyone interested in the history of juggling. Thom Wall has filled in many gaps to the documented history of the art.This is the juggling history book that I've been waiting for.
- David Cain, Curator, Museum of Juggling History
Thom Wall sets the standard for future work by circademics... I predict that [this] book will become the textbook on juggling history.
- Richard Kennison, CircusTalk
It's uncommon to read a work by an individual who is both a historical expert on a subject and a current leading practitioner of the same craft. Wall taps into both of these roles with a work that provides a thoroughly researched historical look at the subject of juggling... This book is a wonderful addition to the library of anyone interested in the history of this genre of circus arts as well as those looking to become jugglers themselves.
- Nathan Wakefield, Chairman, International Jugglers' Association
