Book Guide

“Grandest,” “Rarest,” “Unique,” Most Stupendous”—with these words P. T. Barnum described his American Museum in the 1840s. Filled with rarities, with monsters, with unbelievable shows, the American Museum became the place to go in New York City. People flocked from all over the country to see P. T. Barnum's newest sight. What would he dream of next? people thought. What could he dream up next? But Barnum never faltered. He filled his museum with mermaids, sword-swallowers, bearded women, and most of all with audiences. Thousands and thousands of people coming to see Barnum's latest show! Was it a hoax, was it real? It didn't matter! If it was Barnum’s show it was sure to be a rip-roaring one.

And Barnum proved his genius again and again! First, with his triumphant tour of the midget, General Tom Thumb, whose saucy ways and gift for mimicry delighted the kings and queens of Europe, while reaping vast profits for Barnum. Then, with Jenny Lind, whose sweet voice and manner captured the idolation of America. Finally, with Jumbo, World's Largest Elephant, in P. T. Barnum’s Circus—The World's Greatest Show!

Here's the story of Barnum, a three-dimensional rollicking portrait of a man nobody could fool, but who fooled everybody. Here is P. T. Barnum, the Connecticut Yankee, who became a symbol of the riotous American past, a symbol of Yankee ingenuity, and who was indeed “The World's Greatest Showman.”

From the dust jacket

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Joseph (Joe) Bryan III

Joseph (Joe) Bryan III

1904 - 1993
American
J. Bryan III was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1904 and educated at Princeton University. He worked on various newspapers and magazines for many yea... See more

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Content Guide

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Resource Guide

Plumfield Moms Podcast
Podcast

Landmark Books: What They Are and Why They Matter
Released in 2022 by Plumfield Moms Podcast
Available formats: Streaming Audio
Length: 52 min.
View on the Plumfield Moms Podcast site

Two-part episode hosted by Podcast Moms with guests Sandy Hall (Hall's Living Library), Jill Morgan (Purple House Press), and Tanya Arnold (Biblioguides) where they discuss the Landmark series, how they came to be and why they are worth adding to a home library.


Reviews

Semicolon

The World’s Greatest Showman: The Life of P.T. Barnum
Reviewed by Sherry Early
The World’s Greatest Showman portrays Barnum as a joker and a salesman, certainly not averse to exaggeration or downright lies as long as he could put on a good show and rope in a big audience. His views and actions in regard to racial issues and and slavery and justice were mixed, as befits the time in which he lived (1810-1891).

Read the full review on Semicolon