P.T. Barnum: The Legend and the Man [Hardcover]

Arthur H. Saxon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231056869 | ISBN-13: 978-0231056861 | Publication Date: December 25, 1989

The twelfth-century bishop Otto of Freising was the outstanding historian of his century. "The Two Cities" was his masterwork, spanning in time from Adam and Eve to the coming of the last days -- which he believed had actually begun. In form and philosophy, it stands as a landmark in medieval historiography. As a brother of the Emperor, Otto had an insider's view on the significant events of his day, including the Investiture Controversy and the Second Crusade. His book records how one man grasped for hope as he felt the world dissolving around him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There was more to Barnum than his reputation as a brassy charlatan would have us believe, shows Saxon, a biochemist, who presents here a well-rounded picture of the 19th century's premier showman. Barnum trafficked not only in "freaks"--such as Joice Heth, "the 161-year-old nurse of George Washington," and the Feejee Mermaid, a creature part monkey, part fish--but introduced many to the marvels of natural history. He also sponsored the American tour of opera star Jenny Lind, at considerable strain to himself. The private Barnum, as revealed in his letters here, was more than a mere purveyor of hype. Deeply religious and ethical, he supported Prohibition and women's rights; and although early on a defender of slavery, he became an abolitionist. Interesting in his complexities, the Barnum on view in these pages rivals the wonders of his roadshows. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Barnum, whose name has become synonymous with the circus and the art of humbug, wrote his autobiography at the age of 44 and updated it for the rest of his long life. Most other biographies have relied heavily on this original source, despite its obvious inaccuracies and discrepancies between editions. Saxon has immersed himself in letters, diaries, and other records and memorabilia instead. Besides his self-confessed hoaxes in his early years, Barnum made and lost fortunes with his American Museum, his management of Jenny Lind's American tour, and his tours of America and Europe with the midget Tom Thumb and later with Jumbo the elephant and the circus. He raised the art of publicity and media manipulation to a high level. The slightly ornate style of writing adds a 19th-century flavor to this thoroughly researched and footnoted but somewhat ponderous biography.
- Marcia L. Perry, Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 437 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (December 25, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231056869
• ISBN-13: 978-0231056861
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,954,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)