{"title":"Mary L. Shannon","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the collection dedicated to the remarkable works of Mary L. Shannon, a distinguished author whose books delve into the intricate worlds of biography and memoir. Known for her meticulous research and engaging narrative style, Shannon captivates readers by bringing history to life through personal stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the standout titles in this collection, \u003cem\u003eBilly Waters Is Dancing\u003c\/em\u003e, provides a vivid portrayal of the enigmatic Billy Waters, a famous figure in London's early 19th-century street culture. Shannon's insightful storytelling not only illuminates Waters' life but also offers a broader perspective on the social and cultural dynamics of the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMary L. Shannon's books are perfect for those who appreciate well-researched biographies and memoirs that offer more than just facts. They are an invitation to explore the humanity and complexity behind historical figures, making her works an enriching addition to any reader's collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"billy-waters-is-dancing-by-mary-l-shannon-9780300267686","title":"Billy Waters is Dancing","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe story of William Waters, Black street performer in Regency London, and how his huge celebrity took on a life of its own.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery child in Regency London knew Billy Waters, the celebrated \u003cem\u003eKing of the Beggars\u003c\/em\u003e. Likely born into enslavement in 1770s New York, he became a Royal Navy sailor. After losing his leg in a fall from the rigging, the talented and irrepressible Waters became London's most famous street performer. His extravagantly costumed image blazed across the stage and in print to an unprecedented degree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor all his contemporary renown, Waters died destitute in 1823—but his legend would live on for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMary L. Shannon's biography draws together surviving traces of Waters' life to bring us closer to the historical figure underlying them. Considering Waters' influence on the London stage and his echoing resonances in visual art, and writing by Douglass, Dickens, and Thackeray, Shannon asks us to reconsider Black presences in nineteenth-century popular culture. This is a vital attempt to recover a life from historical obscurity—and a fascinating account of what it meant to find fame in the Regency metropolis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46855735312620,"sku":"9780300267686","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/30120fd0b8a7cd3eb4571de9f9b131c0.jpg?v=1759277128"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/mary-l-shannon.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}