"Pickled Punks and Girlie Shows" will take you on a wonderfully curious trip down showman Rick West's memory lane a lane that couldn't be more off the beaten path. Recollections of his two-headed calf, the world's largest steer, the biggest pig ever exhibited, a "missing link" frozen in ice, and more are shared in such a personal way, that by the book's end, West has easily become your most interesting friend.

Marc Hartzman - Author of "American Sideshow", AOL Weird News Contributor

Just got my copy of Pickled Punks and Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midways of America and despite the disclaimer that I wrote the intro, it's a wonderful, wonderful thing. The chapter on the Ice Man is worth the price of the book (yes, a big reveal). You miss this one at your peril, people.

James Taylor - Author Shocked and Amazed! On and Off the Midway

I haven't been this excited about the arrival of a book since I ordered the Don Boles trilogy from Abbott's when I was 14!!!!...Rick has been on the show trail since the early '60's and with 50 years+ on the North American Show trail, has seen and lived the transformation of shows since then...Thanks Rick for bringing us into the sideshow world as seen through a veterans eye's...I'm watchin the mailbox in anticipation!!!...Bravo!!!

Jim Zajicek - Owner of the "Big Circus Sideshow"

Rick West' - Pickled Punks and Girlie Shows -A life Spent on the Midways of America is terrific. West's adventures as one of the premier exhibitors of freak animal shows on American midways are incredible. Besides the colorful stories there are plenty of photos in black and white and in color. Along Rick's journey you will meet carnival strippers, frozen creatures, giant alligators, gifted pitchmen, plus Rick's own giant horses, over size bovines, monster pigs, and pickled freaks. If you want an insider's take on the wacky world of sideshows - you got it here first class."

Rick West's new book Pickled Punks and Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midways of America not only takes us on a ride through the glitz and glamour of the midway but also takes us behind the scenes into the struggles and hardships that a showman goes through to get the show framed and out onto the midway. Very few books have been written like this one, letting us view the progression of his career, starting from working with his uncle as a child to eventually owning and operating several successful shows!. A beautifully framed book as we wouldn't expect less from the high quality shows Rick has put out over the years!

Kevin Gerrone Sideshow Artist Extraordinaire