The Fabulous Showman : A Biography of P. T. Barnum by Irving Wallace (Epub)

Description

This is a fast-paced, carefully documented, and rich biography of Barnum, the greatest showman of all time, the American from Bethel, Connecticut, whose eccentricities and oblique, cynical approach to humanity transformed entertainment into a big, incredibly profitable business. As bachelor, husband (twice), father, and grandfather, Barnum comes to life in Mr. Wallace’s crowded pages, an exceedingly interesting and human man. Here, too, are New York City in all its nineteenth-century color the London of Queen Victoria, and the Paris of Napoleon III.

In 1842, Barnum opened the first of the great “museums” of curiosities and freaks, adding immeasurably to the gaiety of New York life. He exhibited the tiny Charles Sherwood Stratton so successfully that he became, as “General Tom Thumb,” a world-famous figure. In 1850, Barnum imported Jenny Lind for a concert tour beginning at Castle Garden (later the Aquarium in Battery Park), which more than prefigured the later exploits of S. Hurok. When past sixty, Barnum opened in Brooklyn “The Greatest Show on Earth,” the first great American traveling circus. Combining ten years later with James Anthony Bailey, he gave to millions of American children and grownups “The Barnum and Bailey Circus.” He bought from the London Zoological Society the huge elephant that became known everywhere as Jumbo. And always he shrewdly understood that people did not mind being fooled (“There’s a sucker born every minute”) if they were only entertained.

Besides the towering figure of Barnum himself, this book’s cast of characters includes not only Jenny Lind, Jumbo, and Tom Thumb, but also such ill-assorted figures a Chang and Eng (the original Siamese Twins), Queen Victoria herself, captive white whales, “The Feejee Mermaid,” and Abraham Lincoln.

Genuine Americana, this is far and away the best biography of one of the most fascinating and most internationally renowned of all Americans.

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⭐ We saw the film The Greatest Showman and I became interested in the whole story of this intriguing character. The film barely scratches the surface! Seriously.There’s no way to describe what a fascinating, inventive, unbridled and incredible force of nature this man was. It must’ve driven the screenwriter(s) nuts to have so much to draw from and so little time to do it in. To say he was bigger than life would almost be insulting.Irving Wallace breathes life into each page and makes you want to read out loud to anyone in the room all of these stories and anecdotes. I could not put it down.If you enjoyed the film than you will devour this book. To quote another fame impresario “You ain’t seen nothing yet”.

⭐ The current movie, The Greatest Showman, tweaked my interest in P T. Barnum. I recognized Irving Wallace as a re known writer and bought the book.In today’s age, the idea of making money by collecting people with physical abnormalities and displaying them for profit is absolutely deplorable. But back in the 1800’s, it was considered novel and innovative entertainment. Plus, as this book points out, Barnum was always compassionate and generous with his entertainers.Salesman, huckster, pitch person, “humbug”, talent agent, zoo curator, showman – take your pick. Barnum was all of them.He also searched the world for unusual animals to display and educate the public. And, as talent agent, he was able to promoted an unknown European opera singer, Jenny Lind, to a Beatlemania heights upon her arrival in the States.Mr. Wallace does a nice job depicting the entertainment industry in the 1800’s and this extremely interesting man.

⭐ This is an enjoyable, well written biography. It is a relatively early work of non fiction by Irving Wallace, first published in 1959. In addition to the normal expected details of the life of P. T. Barnum, there are numerous relavant digressions that allow the reader to blend the life of Mr. Barnum into other aspects of American History. Speaking for myself, I completely enjoyed this work.This work appealed to me on many levels. I try to read at least one work from every notable author. I also try to read early works of notable authors. This book fits into both of those niches. Also this is a true and important piece of American History.The book is an easy read written with the flow of modern popular American English. In that sense the book reads somewhat like a modern popular history by writers such as David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin.In summary, I am very glad I had a chance to read this fine biography. I am now looking forward to reading an early novel by Irving Wallace. Thank You…

⭐ After seeing the movie, I wanted to know more about this colorful icon. The book greatly differs from the movie.It sheds more light on the veritable array of the unusual and memorable characters in his American Museum and circus! His personal life is somewhat fictional in the movie but the book does share much of what little is known about his family life. I enjoyed being enlightened.

⭐ This book is about how P. T. Barnum took on the world…and won. He transformed it from a place with little or no amusements into a much happier one. He affected millions of lives, and had no regrets for it. An outstanding book about an outstanding man.

⭐ After watching ‘The Greatest Showman’ I decided I wanted to know more about Mr. Barnum so purchased this book. As with most movies, it wasn’t exactly truthful. I still enjoyed the movie and also this book. I definitely recommend this book to anybody wanting to know more about Barnum.

⭐ This was an interesting read. I always associated PT Barnum with the circus. However, this book doesn’t talk a lot about that. This book talks a lot about the museum he first owned. He wasn’t really the person I thought he was, for better or worse.

⭐ This bpok was very well written and flowed so well from start to finish. I learned so much about Barnum that I had not known. I was curious after watching the film “The Greatest Showman”, which really turns out to be more fiction than fact. Wallace brings the man and his times truly aluve.

⭐ This is an excellent book. We listened to the audio version, and learned a great many interesting details about Barnum and his performers.

⭐ History about Barnum’s political life was interesting and he always seemed to bounce back from failures. Interesting man, interesting life.

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