Headhunters, Luna Park, and the Man Who Pulled Off the Spectacle of the Century
by Claire Prentice
Readers' rating:
Published Oct 2014
416 pages
Genre: History, Current Affairs and Religion
Publication Information
The Lost Tribe of Coney Island unearths the forgotten story of the Igorrotes, a group of "headhunting, dog-eating savages" from the Philippines, who were transported to New York in 1905 to appear as "human exhibits" alongside the freaks and curiosities at Coney Island's Luna Park. Millions of fair-goers delighted in their tribal dances and rituals, near-nudity, tattoos, and stories of headhunting.
Journalist Claire Prentice, who has spent years researching the topic, brings the story to life with her fluid prose and vivid descriptions. The book boasts a colorful cast of characters, including the disgraced lieutenant turned huckster Truman K. Hunt; his Filipino interpreter, Julio Balinag; the theme park impresarios behind Luna Park, Fred Thompson and Elmer "Skip" Dundy; and Dogmena, a beautiful girl who became a favorite with New York's social elite. The Lost Tribe of Coney Island is a fascinating social history and a tale of adventure, culture-clash, and the American dream.
"Without scholarly pretensions, Prentice has crafted an entertaining popular account likely to appeal to fans of true crime and social history." - Library Journal
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Claire Prentice is an award-winning journalist whose work has been published in The Washington Post, The Times of London, The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, BBC Online, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire.
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