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I picked this up because I have on ongoing fascination with circuses and sideshows and figured something by the Man Himself would be good. The main thing I got from this book was that Barnum really like to talk about himself, and that his reputation is entirely deserved. Because of this, everything in this book is to be taken with an Anna Swan-sized grain of salt.
I picked this up because I have on ongoing fascination with circuses and sideshows and figured something by the Man Himself would be good. The main thing I got from this book was that Barnum really like to talk about himself, and that his reputation is entirely deserved. Because of this, everything in this book is to be taken with an Anna Swan-sized grain of salt.
I picked this up because I have on ongoing fascination with circuses and sideshows and figured something by the Man Himself would be good. The main thing I got from this book was that Barnum really like to talk about himself, and that his reputation is entirely deserved. Because of this, everything in this book is to be taken with an Anna Swan-sized grain of salt.
I picked this up because I have on ongoing fascination with circuses and sideshows and figured something by the Man Himself would be good. The main thing I got from this book was that Barnum really like to talk about himself, and that his reputation is entirely deserved. Because of this, everything in this book is to be taken with an Anna Swan-sized grain of salt.
A really interesting view into life in the 19th century. Barnum is a bit of a humble braggot but no one will know how great you are if you don’t tell them!An interesting read even if his tally of receipts and how unique he is can be tiresome at times
A really interesting view into life in the 19th century. Barnum is a bit of a humble braggot but no one will know how great you are if you don’t tell them!An interesting read even if his tally of receipts and how unique he is can be tiresome at times
Barnum tells his own story, and it's as amusing as his shows doubtless were.
Barnum tells his own story, and it's as amusing as his shows doubtless were.
Barnum tells his own story, and it's as amusing as his shows doubtless were.
Barnum tells his own story, and it's as amusing as his shows doubtless were.
I can't say I liked everything about this book, but it was his own story, in his own words, and well worth a read. Top marks.
A completely charming and very odd book by an American original. I'm sure it speaks to my own idiosyncrasies as much as anything--and it would be hard to recommend this 800+ page autobiography; you have to decide for yourself, with that kind of commitment--but I really loved this weird book. You really get a sense of Barnum, the man, and a sense of a kind of American character.
Barnum was a successful showman of the 19th century. This autobiography tells about how he found success selling sights to the American and European public. The book didn't inspire much admiration. He was successful because he watched for an opportunity to sell things. He then used the power of the press to make sure that everybody wanted to see his attractions.
So, so many unnecessary numbers, details, dates, names. This book was difficult to slog through. Dates were all out of order, major events were skimmed through, yet he spent 5 pages on every single detail of Jenny Lind’s contract. With a super-good editor (please cut 200 pages), this would have been quite interesting.
So, so many unnecessary numbers, details, dates, names. This book was difficult to slog through. Dates were all out of order, major events were skimmed through, yet he spent 5 pages on every single detail of Jenny Lind’s contract. With a super-good editor (please cut 200 pages), this would have been quite interesting.
So, so many unnecessary numbers, details, dates, names. This book was difficult to slog through. Dates were all out of order, major events were skimmed through, yet he spent 5 pages on every single detail of Jenny Lind’s contract. With a super-good editor (please cut 200 pages), this would have been quite interesting.
So, so many unnecessary numbers, details, dates, names. This book was difficult to slog through. Dates were all out of order, major events were skimmed through, yet he spent 5 pages on every single detail of Jenny Lind’s contract. With a super-good editor (please cut 200 pages), this would have been quite interesting.
So, so many unnecessary numbers, details, dates, names. This book was difficult to slog through. Dates were all out of order, major events were skimmed through, yet he spent 5 pages on every single detail of Jenny Lind’s contract. With a super-good editor (please cut 200 pages), this would have been quite interesting.
So, so many unnecessary numbers, details, dates, names. This book was difficult to slog through. Dates were all out of order, major events were skimmed through, yet he spent 5 pages on every single detail of Jenny Lind’s contract. With a super-good editor (please cut 200 pages), this would have been quite interesting.
This is a fascinating insight into the life of a very clever showman who often gets a bad press in more modern times. Certainly, there are aspects of his life that are not acceptable today, but read in context the book demonstrates that Barnum was very fair and treated his performers and workers extremely well. A very readable book.
