LIFE OF P. T. BARNUM

Barnum was the greatest American impresario, a canny businessman and founder of the renowned Barnum & Bailey Circus and who finally became a politician. In 1834, desperate to create a better life for his family, the small-time Connecticut businessman moved to New York City. With true entrepreneurial spirit and against all odds, he wowed audiences with his ensemble of musical spectacles, attractions and variety shows, often exploiting the vulnerable for entertainment value. A master showman, his crowning achievement was Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. Written by the man himself and first published in 1855, this account of his life and work creates an aura of excitement about himself and his enduring fame. He wound up the most influential creator of the spectacular, vulgar, cheerfully phony and just plain fun American popular culture. With a useful glossary of antiquated terms, 390pp in Collins Classics paperback.