Juggling The Past and Future – Beautiful juggling book

Book sold individually – hardcover edition.

Warning : This book is in English only.

Juggling - The Past and Future:

Juggling - The Past and Future is the most comprehensive book ever published on the history of juggling . A truly beautiful reference book , this updated 2nd edition brings together more than 4,000 years of evolution in the techniques, props, and artists who have shaped the art of juggling.

Written by the legendary historian Karl-Heinz Ziethen, this monumental work of over 600 pages combines encyclopedia, visual archive, and source of inspiration. From the earliest representations in the Egyptian tombs of Beni Hasan (c. 1994 BC) to the most innovative contemporary performers, everything is documented with exceptional precision.

New 2025 edition – hardcover version, enriched with additional content and an update on modern artists.

NetJuggler's opinion on Juggling - The Past and Future:

This book is much more than just a work on juggling: it is a complete map of its evolution. With more than 1,100 archival photographs, drawings and illustrations, it allows the reader to concretely visualize the evolution of tricks, accessories (balls, clubs, rings, forgotten objects) and styles through the centuries.

What makes it unique is Karl-Heinz Ziethen's insider approach. A close friend of many great modern jugglers, he doesn't simply list facts: he structures history into periods, styles, and artistic lineages. We understand how certain ideas disappeared… and then reappeared decades or centuries later.

A demanding work due to its density, but fascinating. Whether you are a curious amateur, a street artist, a performing arts professional, or a circus school, it is a book you will consult regularly to enrich your artistic thinking.

Cover of the book Juggling - The Past and Future, 2025 hardcover edition, with a central photo of a juggler against a dark green background. Two smiling men hold the books Juggling - The Past and Future, 2025 hardcover edition; dark green cover with a central photo of a juggler.

Technical specifications:

Title : Juggling - The Past and Future.
Author : Karl-Heinz Ziethen.
Edition : 2nd updated edition (2025).
Language : English.
Format : Hardcover.
Number of pages : 600+ pages.
Illustrations : 1,100+ photographs, drawings and archives.
Dimensions : 28.5 x 22 x 4.5 cm.
Mass : 2.07 kg.
ISBN : 9789090399614.

For what type of practice?

Juggling enthusiasts wishing to understand the history of their discipline.
Amateur artists, street performers and professionals seeking inspiration.
Circus schools, trainers and specialized libraries.
Collectors and lovers of beautiful books on the circus and performing arts.

Manufacturer/author information:

Karl-Heinz Ziethen is considered one of the greatest historians of juggling. For decades, he collected archives, photographs, and testimonies from around the world. His previous work, 4,000 Years of Juggling , marked a turning point in the historical documentation of this art. This new, expanded edition represents the culmination of his work.

This 2025 edition was made possible thanks to the support of major figures in the world of juggling and entertainment, including Jim Hedrick, Oddballs Juggling, Niels Duinker (ND Juggling), Erik Åberg and Karen Holzman.

Important : Book in English. Large and heavy book (2.07 kg) – allow sufficient storage space.

Two smiling men hold the books Juggling - The Past and Future, hardcover edition (2025); dark green cover with a central photo of a juggler.

Why is this book essential?

Because to innovate, you must understand what has already existed. This book shows that almost no idea in juggling appears without roots. It offers a unique perspective for building an act, reflecting on an aesthetic, or situating one's work within an artistic tradition spanning over 4,000 years.