Calamity : The Many Lives of Calamity Jane.

The text focuses on two works exploring cultural history in the American West. The first examines Victorian theater's transformation from small stock companies to touring combination companies, highlighting its diverse performers—including magicians, Native American acts, and Asian troupes—and its complex role in reinforcing and challenging social hierarchies related to race, ethnicity, class, and gender. The second work is a biography of Martha Jane Canary, known as Calamity Jane, which situates her life and legend within the context of gender defiance and celebrity culture, emphasizing her ongoing cultural significance through various portrayals in film and performance. Both works contribute nuanced perspectives on identity, performance, and social dynamics in Western history.