Great And Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life Of Showman P. T. Barnum (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Phineas T. Barnum did indeed have an interesting life. Prior to listening to this audiobook (performed by Christopher Lane) I knew little about Barnum besides his namesake circus. One of his more creative and successful projects and money-making schemes was his "American Museum" which housed curiosities from throughout the world. To create his museum, he bought up collections from other museums that were in financial distress. His museum wasn't limited to just the usual things, but he collected for his museum, (among many other things) "industrious fleas, automatons, jugglers, ventriloquists, living statuary, gypsies, albinos, fat boys, rope-dancers, puppet shows, fancy glass-blowing and knitting machines." If you listen to the audiobook, as I did, make sure that you checkout the printed book later, because it contains amazing engravings and photographs. Reviewed by Lisa Coleman, Youth Services Librarian, Vernon Area Public Library The Great and Only Barnum was truly a bigger than life figure. Although many of us have heard about the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth or Ringly Brothers, I did realize how the circus as an institution had developed and Barnum's try innovation in this area. Barnum started as as a collector of objects. His first venture was to buy a museum. In the mid-1800's museum were typically private and held private collections of individuals. Barnum wanted his to be more. He scoured the earth for objects and paid fortunes for animals and creatures alike. The American Museum was huge. In the entrance Hall there was a 112 page guide to the museum (a dime). Entrance was a quarter. The First Grand Saloon, had 194 cosmoramas. Each was a window that opened onto a tiny lit up scene of a famous place or historical event, such as a Venetia canal or King of France's bedroom. The Second Grand saloon had birds, oil paints, and a huge stuffed elephant- Old Bet. There were also hundred of Barnum's Human Curiousities. These people came on their own free will often because it was the only way they could earn a living. They were paid generous salaries. For instance Madame Joseph Clofulia the Swiss Bearded lady who was born with a medical condition that caused excessive hair to grow on her face. Change and Eng, the Siamese twins, Anna Swa- 7'11"/ The Third Grand Saloon had Native American artifacts and an Egyptian mummy and PT Barnum himself at work. The Fourth Grand Saloon had America's first public aquarium with a seal lion and whale. The Fifth Grand Saloon had stuffed animals. The Six more oddities, then a Moral Lecture Hall with performance and then on the top floor were the live animals. Over the years he had Tom Thumb, 25" tall and 15 pounds. Read the book to find out more about the museum and the circus from the world's Great Showman. BTW, did you know the word Jumbo comes from an Elephant that was names Jumbo- not the other way around.
What do You think about Great And Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life Of Showman P. T. Barnum (2011)?
Great YA biography that is on a level appropriate for juvenile readers without sacrificing depth.
—Jess
More of a coffee table book; but definitely some interesting info about Barnum's life.
—skeletons_
A fascinating choice to meet that biography reading requirement.
—Gin
