The following is a list of books we recommend relating to flying trapeze or other circus disciplines. If you would like to amend a review or ask about any of these items, please contact us!

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Discovering Flying Trapeze
Discovering Flying Trapeze
Alastair Pilgrim

Whether you are a complete beginner or a regular flyer, this book will accompany you from your very first swing through a series of skill progressions (including over 50 different tricks and catches) right up to advanced somersaulting tricks and flying out-of-lines. It is illustrated with hundreds of clear and simple step-by-step diagrams explaining basic concepts, fundamental techniques, useful training tips and common problems.

Book Website
The Fundamentals of Flying Trapeze
The Fundamentals of Flying Trapeze
Alastair Pilgrim

This book illustrates the fundamental principles, techniques and equipment of Flying Trapeze. With hundreds of clear and simple diagrams illustrating tricks gathered from trapeze schools around the world, this is an invaluable reference guide for the recreational trapeze artist.

Book Website
Flying Trapeze Logbook
Flying Trapeze Logbook
Alastair Pilgrim

This logbook, from the founder of flying-trapeze.com, has been specifically designed with the amateur flying trapeze enthusiast in mind and allows you to record your experiences in a simple structured format. You can use it to track your progress and to note down your achievements, coaching tips and catch timings for future reference.

Book Website
Flying Free: Life Lessons Learned on the Flying Trapeze
Flying Free: Life Lessons Learned on the Flying Trapeze
Lynn Braz

In Flying Free: Life Lessons Learned on the Flying Trapeze, Lynn Braz uses trapeze as a vehicle for overcoming fear and perfectionism, and discovering deeper passion and joy in her world, lessons she’s applied to every area of her life. Initially an exercise in facing her fear of heights, the author quickly discovered trapeze was teaching her how to free herself from negativity and self-limitation, how to develop tenacity, energize her life and achieve her goals.

Amazon.com
Learning to Fly: Reflections on Fear, Trust, and the Joy of Letting Go
Learning to Fly: Reflections on Fear, Trust, and the Joy of Letting Go
Sam Keen

Sam Keen started trapeze at the age of 62. Part memoir, part metaphor, Keen's book is filled with daring leaps, midair turns, somersaults, and catches. For Keen, the trapeze is a good teacher. Combining sixty-plus years of wisdom with the passion, honesty, and enthusiasm of a beginning flyer, Keen conveys how learning to fly provides a path to timeless adventure and newfound joy.

Amazon.com
Surprised by Hope
Surprised by Hope
Vickie Baker

Vickie is was a professional trapeze artist whose career was unfortunately cut short by an accident. This book is a profound yet humour-filled story of spiritual, physical, and emotional resurrection.

Amazon.com
Méthodologie Trapézoïdale ('Trapeze Techniques')
Méthodologie Trapézoïdale ('Trapeze Techniques')
Yvette Challande

This excellent book is the only one of it's kind that we have seen. It demonstrates, by way of realistic drawings, many many techniques for the static or fixed trapeze, from beginner to advanced level. Although the tricks are all labelled in French, this should not deter the non-French speaker, since all the techniques are clearly explained by the pictures. Highly recommended. The best way to purchase this website is directly from the Geneva Circus School's website. If you don't speak French...just email them and they will talk you through the process.

Geneva Circus School
Méthodologie Trapézoïdale 2 ('Trapeze Techniques 2')
Méthodologie Trapézoïdale 2 ('Trapeze Techniques 2')
Yvette Challande

The sequel to the above book, this book explains a very large number of positions for two people on a double trapeze. Highly recommended.

Geneva Circus School
Méthodologie de Corde et Tissus ('Techniques on rope and silks')
Méthodologie de Corde et Tissus ('Techniques on rope and silks')
Yvette Challande

A continuation of the above series, this book demonstrates positions on a rope (corde lisse) and tissu (silks). Highly recommended.

Geneva Circus School
Méthodologie de Cerceau ('Aerial Hoop Techniques')
Méthodologie de Cerceau ('Aerial Hoop Techniques')
Yvette Challande

A continuation of the above series, this book demonstrates positions in an aerial hoop. Highly recommended.

Geneva Circus School
From Gazoonie to Greatness
From Gazoonie to Greatness
Paula Blackwelder

From Gazoonie to Greatness is a Self-Help guide to dramatic milestone accomplishments. Inspired by the true story of legendary trapeze artist and world record holder, Tony Steele, readers will find his lessons in success, both extraordinary and entertaining. With questions for personal reflection at the end of each chapter, readers stay involved in the creation of their own blue-prints to their dreams. This book will teach you how to live life without regrets, using your mind, matter and motivation, to live fearlessly and shock them all. Steele did that, and has no regrets that he did.

Book Website
Where Does A Clown Go?
Where Does A Clown Go?
Andrew Rose

This book is an autobiography by Andrew Rose who ran away to join the circus at an early age. He recounts his many attempts to rejoin the circus later in life. A significant part of the book is devoted to flying trapeze, as Andrew was a catcher and trained at San Francisco School of Circus Arts and Trapeze Arts in Oakland as well as having a (short) professional career.

Amazon.com