Topsy

Set against the backdrop of Coney Island's opening and the rise of the American circus, Michael Daly's "Topsy" explores the true story behind the 1903 electrocution of an elephant named Topsy, a historical event that has become a part of urban legend. The book delves into the cultural and technological forces of the era, including the famous rivalry between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over electrical currents. Combining history and popular culture, it offers a compelling look at a moment when technology, spectacle, and morality intersected.