CFA+Resources

Space permits mention of only a few others Some, like Beatty, have authored books such as his Facing the Big Cats. When you are in a large library check such authors as Charley Baumann, Jimmy Chipperfield, Alfred Court, Damoo Dhotre, George W. Lewis, Roman Proske, and Mable Stark. When reading a general circus book, check for the above names plus such others as Axel Gautier, Karl Hagenbach, Terrell Jacobs, Louis Roth, Tarzan Zerbini, and Patricia White. Stark and White are considered to have been among the outstanding cat trainers. Lastly, it must be noted that Gunther Gebel-Williams ranks as the greatest all-round animal trainer in circus history, in that he has demonstrated superlative skills with elephants, cats, and horses —— on some occasions mixing these! His magnetic flair for style and presentation is without parallel. Partly “retired,” many of his animals are now trained and presented by daughter Tina Gebel and son Mark Oliver Gebel.

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