Houdini's "Miracle Mongers and Their Methods"
This book by Harry Houdini, published in 1920 is a compilation of many novelty and variety acts of the day. It's subtitle is "A Complete Exposé of the Modus Operandi of Fire Eaters, Heat Resisters, Poison Eaters, Venomous Reptile Defiers, Sword Swallowers, Human Ostriches, Strong Men, Etc."