NEVER QUOTE THE WEATHER TO A SEA LION is Released

NEW YORK

As a child, Paul Binder had no desire to run away with the circus. Yet to his family's bewilderment, he did end up running away to a life under the big top and became the director and founder of one of America's great circuses.

Binder, founder of the "Big Apple Circus," shares stories with great heart, sincerity and humor from in and around the big top in his new memoir, "Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion: And Other Uncommon Tales from the Founder of the Big Apple Circus."

"It isn't just a circus artist's work in the ring that I've found so inspiring. It's the work outside of it too, the whole oddball life that everyone in the circus-performers, staff and working crew-accepts just to earn a place in the spotlight," Binder said.

Binder offers readers a memorable experience and insight into the life of circus performers, their animal partners and roustabouts as he takes you on a journey through his unusual and exciting life. From working as Julia Child's floor manager, to talent booker for Merv Griffin, to founding the Big Apple Circus, Binder has worked with celebrities and performers from around world.

With a foreword by famed actress Glenn Close, who was taught how to juggle by Binder, and delightful illustrations by Eliza Kingsbury, Binder's life story jumps off the page comes to life right at your fingertips.

"When people ask me what the circus is really like behind the scenes, I tell them about runaway gypsy wagons, vanished acrobats, desperate ringmasters and recalcitrant sea lions to name a few. Times when ludicrous situations created unprecedented, seemingly insolvable problems," said Binder. "I talk about how we found our way through those challenges and managed to put away our grievances and personal conflicts, until they became part of a shared history-stories we tell one another with laughter, stories I hope you enjoy."

For more information, visit paulbindercircus.com or authorhouse.com

"Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion: And Other Uncommon Tales from the Founder of the Big Apple Circus"
By: Paul Binder
ISBN: 978-1-4817-3190-4
Available in softcover ($19.95), hardcover ($25.95), e-book ($9.99)
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and AuthorHouse

About the author
Paul Binder was born and raised in Brooklyn. He graduated from Dartmouth College and earned an MBA at Columbia University. After working at WGBH-TV in Boston as the stage manager for Julia Child and as a talent coordinator for Merv Griffin, Binder headed west where he learned juggling with the San Francisco Mime Troupe. Binder, along with Michael Christensen, then traveled through Europe, earning a living by juggling on street corners. This landed them on the legendary stage of the Casino de Paris, on French television and, eventually, in the ring of Annie Fratellini's Nouveau Cirque de Paris. Binder returned to New York with a dream: to create an American circus with the same dedication to theatrical excellence and artistic intimacy as he experienced in Europe. In 1977, the Big Apple Circus was born. Since "stepping out of the ring" in 2009, Binder has been honored by ABC News as "Person of the Week," continues to work with the Big Apple Circus as a senior advisor and gives guest talks and seminars.

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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Daniel Pearson
317.602.7137
dpearson(at)bohlsengroup(dot)com

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