Donna Carlton

Tracking the history and mythology around the dancer or dancers known as Little Egypt, from the Oriental exhibits of the 1893 Chicago World Fair to the early days of burlesque and midway dancers.

Donna Carlton provides a lively description of the 1893 Columbia Exposition which was the vortex of the scandal surrounding "belly dancing" in the early 20th century. For my full-length review, please see http://www.shira.net/books/breviews/carlton-littleegypt.htm

Who was Little Egypt? The story all started in 1839 when Egyptian dancers performed in Chicago. This book is finely researched and grounded solidly in fact. Awesome photographs and use of historic items.
Check out Kashmir's review of Looking for Little Egypt http://www.raqs.co.nz/articles/looking_for_little_egypt.html

This book was a great deal of fun to read. The pursuit of the real history of Little Egypt is interesting and thought provoking. It is a well researched book with lots of quirky details.