Book Descriptions
for The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming and Ray Fenwick
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
This biography of P. T. Barnum entertains and amazes, much like the man himself. Barnum knew that most people wouldn’t mind being tricked by a clever hoax (or “humbugged”) as long as they were also entertained. Candace Fleming follows him from his Connecticut boyhood to his death at age 81, portraying a shrewd, resilient businessman who was repeatedly able to rise from crisis and disaster. While Barnum was the master of turning any opportunity to profit, he was not as successful at establishing good relationships with his family, whom he often put second to his work life and personal pleasures. At the same time, he provided generously for hundreds of his “Human Curiosities,” or as Barnum called them, “representatives of the wonderful,” some of whom he counted as close friends. This inviting narrative is generously illustrated with photographs, posters, broadsides, and illustrations, and sprinkled throughout with sidebars providing additional insight into the culture, people, and events of P. T. Barnum’s life. A thorough bibliography, lists of source notes and picture credits, and an index round out this engaging biography. (Ages 10–14)
CCBC Choices 2010. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2010. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Discover the true story of P.T. Barnum, the man who created the world-famous Barnum & Bailey Circus, as featured in the movie The Greatest Showman!
The award-winning author of The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary, Amelia Lost, and Our Eleanor brings us the larger-than-life biography of showman P. T. Barnum. Known far and wide for his jumbo elephants, midgets, and three-ring circuses, here’ s a complete and captivating look at the man behind the Greatest Show on Earth. Readers can visit Barnum’s American Museum; meet Tom Thumb, the miniature man (only 39 inches tall) and his tinier bride (32 inches); experience the thrill Barnum must have felt when, at age 60, he joined the circus; and discover Barnum’s legacy to the 19th century and beyond. Drawing on old circus posters, photographs, etchings, ticket stubs—and with incredible decorative art by Ray Fenwick—this book presents history as it’s never been experienced before—a show-stopping event!
The award-winning author of The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary, Amelia Lost, and Our Eleanor brings us the larger-than-life biography of showman P. T. Barnum. Known far and wide for his jumbo elephants, midgets, and three-ring circuses, here’ s a complete and captivating look at the man behind the Greatest Show on Earth. Readers can visit Barnum’s American Museum; meet Tom Thumb, the miniature man (only 39 inches tall) and his tinier bride (32 inches); experience the thrill Barnum must have felt when, at age 60, he joined the circus; and discover Barnum’s legacy to the 19th century and beyond. Drawing on old circus posters, photographs, etchings, ticket stubs—and with incredible decorative art by Ray Fenwick—this book presents history as it’s never been experienced before—a show-stopping event!
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.