Overview

"When Jumbo the Elephant arrived in the United States in 1882, crowds lined up to see this seven-ton animal perform at the circus. Only one man could deliver such a giant attraction to audiences, P. T. Barnum. A master of entertainment and showmanship, Barnum introduced Americans to wild acts and curiosities at the American Museum and the Barnum and Bailey Circus. His keen understanding of advertisement and promotion helped invent the modern world of ""show business."" Author Tom Streissguth explores the life of this innovative entertainer from his early days in the lottery business to his creation of the first three-ring circus."

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This biography of the world's greatest showman is jam packed with intrigue, disappointments, surprises, and even hoaxes. The events in the very first chapter set the tone for P.T. Barnum's life--which at times seems fantastical and unreal. Mr. Barnum did not start out to be a showman. He was quite the adventurous entrepreneur and businessman before becoming a curator of the absurd and extraordinary, though he was always overshadowed by unbelievers and those wanting to prove him to be a phony. Even his family members seemed to be against him. His uncle Alanson publically disagreed with him about politics, religion, and even work. From selling lottery tickets in Connecticut to running a store, Barnum knew how to give people what they wanted--a taste of the sensational--and knew how to exploit that. His first 'find' was Joice Heth, purported to be a woman claiming to be 161 years old and the nurse attending George Washington as a boy. This later proved to be a hoax and Barnum considered as a victim of a swindler, though he knew no one could ever live to be 161 years old. Knowing any attention, even negative, was good for business. Barnum continued to collect oddities, including people, and displayed them throughout the world, even having an audience with Queen Victoria of England. Probably the most famous exhibits were from General Tom Thumb and his marriage to Lavinia Bump, a schoolteacher just thirty-two inches tall. Though successful as a businessman at last, his political views alienated many, especially as an opponent of slavery. Because of this, arsonists destroyed Barnum's American Museum, including many exotic animals housed inside. Soon after, P.T. Barnum needed a rest and entered retirement. Never one to sit still, it was not long before he joined forces with partners in a circus. This latest union would be the genesis of what P.T. Barnum is best known for today: The Barnum and Bailey Circus. The book is easily read, holding the attention of even the most reluctant readers with a myriad of adventures and celebrated encounters. There are enough illustrations and photographs to enhance the text, making it an enjoyable work and perfect for a biographical book report or celebrity study., Children's Literature

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