Who is good based on no records kept or they are my friend or not.

There has always been a knock on European elephant trainers. I have always reserved my opinions to individuals, based on 34 years of practicing the craft, irregardless of whether they were a friend or not. Such is not the case in Circus History. Below is a very small cross section of European elephant acts, through many generations. Does everything umbrella under the title "Cirque", and "Elephant Trainer" in Europe as well as "Circus" and "Elephant Trainer" in America? Many assumptions to "skill" are based on a once a year "hand shake", or a once in a life time "shun." And some bad, misguided history of animal training has been recorded, based on an occasional guided tour.