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The Life of P. T. Barnum, Written by Himself
 
 
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The Life of P. T. Barnum, Written by Himself (Paperback)

~ (Author) "My first appearance upon this stage was on the 5th day of July, Anno Domini 1810..." (more)
Key Phrases: geese feathers, fifty concerts, circus company, Jenny Lind, United States, Miss Lind (more...)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For more than fifty years, Phineas T. Barnum embodied all that was grand and fraudulent in American mass culture. Over the course of a life that spanned the nineteenth century (1810-91), he inflicted himself upon a surprisingly willing public in a variety of guises, from newspaper editor (or libeler) to traveling showman (or charlatan) and distinguished public benefactor (or shameless hypocrite). Barnum deliberately cultivated his ambiguous public image through a lifelong advertising campaign, shrewdly exploiting the cultural and technological capabilities of the new publishing industry. While running his numerous shows and exhibitions, Barnum managed to publish newspaper articles, expose of fraud (not his own), self-help tracts, and a series of best-selling autobiographies, each promising to give 'the true history of my many adventures'. Updated editions of "The Life of P.T. Barnum" appeared regularly, allowing Barnum to keep up with demand and prune the narrative of details that might offend posterity. The present volume is the first modern edition of Barnum's original and outrageous autobiography, published in 1855 and unavailable for more than a century. Brazen, confessional, and immensely entertaining, it immortalizes the showman who hoodwinked customers into paying to hear the reminiscences of a woman presented as George Washington's 161-year-old nurse, the impresario who brought Jenny Lind to America and toured Europe with General Tom Thumb, and the grand entrepreneur of the American Museum of New York. Above all, it ensures that Barnum would be properly remembered ...exactly as he created himself.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: University of Illinois Press (August 1, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0252069021
  • ISBN-13: 978-0252069024
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #191,000 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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P. T. Barnum
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
My first appearance upon this stage was on the 5th day of July, Anno Domini 1810. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
geese feathers, fifty concerts, circus company, whole shirt
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jenny Lind, United States, Miss Lind, American Museum, Ivy Island, Joice Heth, General Tom Thumb, Niagara Falls, Crystal Palace, Joice Ileth, Signor Vivalla, John Hall Wilton, Old Turner, Uncle Bibbins, Aunt Joice, Concert Hall, Santa Cruz, Uncle Phile, Uncle Reese, Julius Benedict, Peale's Museum, Swedish Nightingale, Van Buren, Albert Smith, Baring Brothers
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Humbug by Neil Harris
 

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Notorious Barnum, November 8, 2000
By pogirl "pogirl" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews
This is the first modern version of Barnum's original 1855 autobiography. Barnum not only admits that deception made him rich, he also takes great pleasure in recounting his notorious "humbugs." All in all, this is a fascinating and startling story told by one of the founders of American mass culture.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Humbugger for the Ages, December 3, 2001
By George Schaefer (Croydon, PA USA) - See all my reviews
One of the most ambiguous figures in American history is P.T. Barnum. He was a legendary showman, curator, writer, entrepreneur--but he was also known for his humbugs. Many of his great successes were based on scamming and frauding the American public.

He was a master of marketing and advertising. His ability to manipulate the media was a precursor for much of American life in the last 150 years. Barnum had a genius for drawing in the crowd and creating scandals. He was often the one who exposed his own frauds.

This autobiography provides a fascinating glimpse into the man behind the legend and myth. Barnum begins with childhood and works his way through his life up to that point. This one is the original autobiography written in 1855. Many of his great triumphs like General Tom Thumb and the Jenny Lind tour had already taken place.

It should be remembered that Barnum is telling his own tale so it would be wise to maintain a cynical stance when reading this tale. I often found myself nodding with agreement at what I was reading and then pausing to consider that Barnum may have been hoodwinking the reader.

Overall, this is a compelling read in spite potential exaggerations. Barnum, for better or worse, is one of the most famous of all American showman. He set the stage for much of the entertainment world since his time. I found myself disdainful of some of his excesses but I came away with an overall appreciation for this man.

The American landscape is richer for having him. He has provided us with one of our greatest myths.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars only himself could write it, November 17, 2006
Barnum is one of my "great american heroes." This is his life in his own words, written at the peak of his fame and success, and before bad things began to make him bitter. He is cocky, bemused, hilarious and thoroughly full of beans: he knows it and revels in it. If you ever have an interest in self promotion or promotion of any kind, read this book. Learn from the greatest master of marketing of all time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars interesting
I bought this after seeing the movie about the life of PTBarnum.It is interesting to read his take on his own life.Esp. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Lawrence J. Paradis Sr.

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh what a life!
Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 - April 7, 1891), American showman who is best remembered for his entertaining hoaxes and for founding the circus that eventually became... Read more
Published on December 19, 2005 by Book Lover

1.0 out of 5 stars Disrespectful packaging of an American classic.
P.T. Barnum was a creative force in the worlds of advertising, museums, entertainment and finally, the circus. He was also a politician who held two high offices. Read more
Published on June 11, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!
I really enjoyed reading P.T. Barnum's auto-biography. He was a great showman. I highly recommend this book. Read more
Published on August 24, 2001 by Rosella Ann Myles

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