The True Life of PT Barnum "The show business has all phases and
grades of dignity, from the exhibition of a monkey to the
exposition of that highest art in music or the drama, which
entrances empires and secures for the gifted artist a world-wide
fame which princes well might envy. Men, women and children, who
cannot live on gravity alone, need something to satisfy their
gayer, lighter moods and hours, and he who ministers to this want
is in a business established by the Author of our nature. If he
worthily fulfills his mission, and amuses without corrupting, he
need never feel that he has lived in vain. " -PT Barnum From the
Publisher The original autobiography of the World's Greatest
Showman, P.T. Barnum, now translated to modern English and
illustrated with images of his amazing ground-breaking acts.
Phineas Taylor Barnum came from humble means to revolutionize the
entertainment industry of his time and lay the foundation of the
entertainment industry we know today. His visionary ability to
create and market new and innovative acts transformed the world
and moved society forward towards a new era of understanding and
inclusiveness. His marketing skill and shrewd business skills
transformed common and mundane acts into "must see" cultural
events. Barnum skill as a showman included marketing such unique
features as educated dogs, industrious fleas, automatons,
jugglers, ventriloquists, living statuary, tableaux, gypsies,
albinos, boys, giants, dwarfs, rope-dancers, live "Yankees,"
pantomime, instrumental music, singing and dancing in great
variety, dioramas, panoramas, models of Niagara, Dublin, Paris,
and Jerusalem; Hannington's dioramas of the Creation, the Deluge,
Fairy Grotto, Storm at Sea; the first English Punch and Judy in
this country, Italian Fantoceini, mechanical figures, fancy
glass-blowing, knitting machines and other triumphs in the
mechanical arts; dissolving views, American Indians, who enacted
their warlike and religious ceremonies on the stage, — these,
among others, entertained audiences by the tens of thousands and
made Barnum a fortune and made his name synonymous with show
business. But Barnum's genius was not limited to parlor tricks
and freak shows, although this was a common criticism of his
shows. His well-earned title of the World's Greatest Showman was
earned by his ability to evolve his show and his techniques
throughout his career. Originally, Barnum was able to transform
men like Charles Sherwood Stratton, a dwarf who had been the
subject of ridicule throughout his entire life, into famous
characters such as "General Tom Thumb", a regal and authoritative
figure who would stand before the Queen of England. Another
illustration of Barnum's amazing showman abilities is perhaps
best showcased in his signing of the "Swedish Nightingale" Jenny
Lind, a favorite opera singer of the elite members of Victorian
Era's society. Barnum signed Lind and included her in his tour,
considerably raising the bar and perception of his performances.
How amazing would it have been to see P.T. Barnum in his prime,
to listen to him describe his inspirations and his journey, and
to understand how almost two hundred years ago he began his path
towards becoming the World's Greatest Showman. Now, thanks to the
re-publication of this volume, complete with new illustrations,
we can hear Barnum's story from his own pen directly in his own
words. We hope you enjoy pulling up a chair and sitting down for
a conversation with the World's Greatest Showman, P.T. Barnum.