Barnum's Own Story: The Autobiography of P. T. Barnum

Insight full intelligent worthy info. I’m an MBA Grad, I recommended this book to everyone.

This autobiography of one of the most famous men in the world is a fascinating recollection of Barnum's career. Best of all, it is flavored with comical, tragic, unexpected anecdotes of life in the late eighteen hundreds.Barnam viewed the world is a vast reservoir of curiosities and wonders with which to fulfill his purpose of entertaining and educating as many people as possible. Widely known as a humbug and huckster, this book reveals his true philosophy which surprised me with its innocence and purity.I was thoroughly satisfied in my curiosity about the greatest show man on Earth.

A good surprise read.

I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down and completed it in a day. Such a varied and interesting career, this book shares all his highlights from his beginning showing the world's oldest woman, through his curiosity museums, General Tom Thumb, the Siamese Twins, Jumbo and everything else in between all the way up to the birth of his renowned travelling circus. He made and lost several fortunes and always managed to come out on top.I love old narratives and this one is among my most favorite.

This is the story of Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891), the Greatest Showman, who had one of the most picturesque and romantic careers in American life. Being a fan of the movie, The Greatest Showman, I was interested in learning more about P. T. Barnum’s life—to separate fact from fiction. I was excited when I first started reading the book, but lost interest in it midway through when it became bogged down with excessive trivia and too many boring details that distracted from the plot development. However, since I was already invested in the story, I carried on to the end, through all 512 pages, wishing I’d chosen a more abridged version. Sometimes less is definitely more, and in this particular case, the movie was better than the book. If only the book could have been set to music!This unabridged autobiographical book combines Barnum’s two former published autobiography’s into one. The first part of the book about P. T. Barnum’s early like as a self made, ambitious man, was perhaps the most interesting. In all due respect, the book is an honest, forthright personal narrative. However, the book left me wondering if he was more in the business of exploitation rather than the Greatest Showman he saw himself as and was widely admired for.If you think, as I did, that this book is going to depict his romantic love story and suspected affair, as the movie eluded to, you are mistaken. Barnum only talks briefly of his wives and daughters in his autobiography, instead choosing to define himself by his true passion—that which he did to make a living for them. However, when all is said and done, Phineas Taylor Barnum was a farm boy who came from humble beginnings, who became one of the Greatest Showman that ever lived!“The farm was no place for me. I always disliked work. Head-work I was excessively fond of. I was always ready to concoct fun, or lay plans for moneymaking, hand-work, was decidedly not in my line.” —P. T. Barnum, Barnum’s Own Story“I began the world with nothing, and was barefooted at that!” —P. T. Barnum, Barnum’s Own Story“The public appears disposed to being amused even when they are conscious of being deceived.” —P. T. Barnum, Barnum’s Own Story“I am not in the show business alone to make money. I feel it is my mission, as long as I live, to provide clean, moral and healthful recreation for the public to which I have so long catered, and which has never failed to recognize most generously my efforts.” —P. T. Barnum, Barnum’s Own Story“After [Barnum’s] death, … more newspaper space [was] devoted to his career than to that of any other American not a president of the United States!” —P. T. Barnum, Barnum’s Own Story

The book is very interesting. Easy to read, he talks about his success, his failures, personal life, his money. I found the book hard to put down.

Absolutely stunning...Tales of a bygone time from a man of sound and positive constitution..Inspirational! Provocative! Tales of triumph and tragedy coupled with grit and determination..

What a remarkable man. I loved the movie, but the book was way better. Jenny Lind was a classy lady and would never have had an affair like Hollywood depicted in the movie. Great read!!!

Have yet to read this lovely gift, but it looks so interesting. Interspersed with photos, drawings and poster from the time.

Very well written and articulated story by the man who originated the concept of show business. Starting from nothing, he rose from these humble beginnings to create the first traveling circus, continually wowing the U.S. with his inventive genius in the process.

Interesting read, an amazing life

A good interesting readThe exploitation and cruelty to people and animals flowed off the pages despite the way it was toned down and normalised...Well written in language suitable for the time.

Love this book, excellent delivery.