When the name P. T. Barnum is mentioned, people immediately think of the great traveling circuses that once provided thrills for millions of people. They think of huge tents, colorful parades, blaring bands, lumbering elephants, cages of fierce animals, trapeze performers, clowns, and side shows.

When a circus came to town, the excitement was tremendous. Old and young alike arose early to watch men unload the circus train. People stood along the street to watch the colorful parade and to hear the calliope. Then in the afternoon or evening they went to witness the thrilling spectacle itself.

Phineas Taylor Barnum, a pioneer showman, was born in Bethel, Connecticut, in 1810. His father was a tailor, innkeeper, and part-time farmer. He worked hard to make a living for his family, but Phineas had to quit school early to go to work.

As a boy, Phineas was naturally inquisitive. He often talked with the travelers who stopped at his father's inn. He was fascinated by their stories of strange animals and customs in the world. This fascination grew and influenced him all through his life. Phineas had a lasting curiosity in his makeup.

Phineas demonstrated early his interest in showmanship. He helped to put on his first show when he was only ten years old. While still a young man, he made a fortune operating a museum in New York City. Finally the museum burned down and he opened a new museum with the famous midget, Tom Thumb, as its chief attraction.

Barnum always did things in a big way. In 1850 he brought the famous singer, Jenny Lind, to America and introduced her to the American public as the "Swedish Nightingale." In 1883 he brought the huge elephant, Jumbo, from the London Zoo and exhibited him as the largest elephant in captivity.

In 1871 Barnum founded his noted circus, "The Greatest Show on Earth." This was the first American circus to travel about the country on railroad cars. It was also the first American circus to travel abroad. After a number of years its name was changed to the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

The author of this book, Augusta Stevenson, needs no introduction to children who enjoy reading. Her name is familiar to them as the author of many other delightful books in the Childhood of Famous American Series. Her popularity with children is well deserved and firmly established.

From the dust jacket