Tales of the Galactic Midway Series by Mike Resnick, Barry N. Malzberg

The first in the 4-book "Tales of the Galactic Midway" series, SIDESHOW is the story of alien visitors who are kidnapped and put on display by a traveling carnival, and the bond that develops between captor and captives. It went through 4 quick printings when it was published in 1982, and has appeared in many countries and languages.

Traveling carnival owner Thaddeus Flint expands his tour from the American Northeast out to the stars, only to discover that some of the attractions don't quite hold the audience like they did back on Earth. Realizing that his strip show has no more appeal to an alien audience than watching a saddle come off a horse, he re-assigns his girls to work the game booths on the midway. When one of the girls can't make the transition, he improvises an alien solution.

The third volume in the 4-book Tales of the Galactic Midway series. The carnival tries a typical carny scam that backfires when their animal trainer and his sentient "animal" go to war every night in the big cage.

The 4th and final volume of the Tales of the Galactic Midway. The carny's star sharpshooter is tired of targets that don't shoot back, and a robot Doc Holliday is created for a duel to the death...and, as always with the carny, things start to go wrong.Cover Artist: Tom Hallman

Out of print for several years, Farthest Star SF has brought all four novels in the series back in one fantastic omnibus edition! Thaddeus Flint knew the carny game better than anyone. He could con the marks until they practically begged him to take their money... moreOut of print for several years, Farthest Star SF has brought all four novels in the series back in one fantastic omnibus edition! Thaddeus Flint knew the carny game better than anyone. He could con the marks until they practically begged him to take their money. But suddenly he was losing business as everyone flocked to a new traveling circus, one whose freaks were the real thing -- no makeup, padding, or phony scales! So he stole them and got much more than he bargained for! They weren't human "freaks" but honest to goodness aliens from all over the galaxy. less