Bibliograph

Barnum, an American life, Robert Wilson

Type

Label

Barnum, an American life, Robert Wilson

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages [291]-295) and index

resource.biographical

individual biography

Illustrations

illustrationsplates

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Barnum

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1083699231

Responsibility statement

Robert Wilson

Sub title

an American life

Summary

From birth to death, Phineas Taylor Barnum repeatedly reinvented himself. He learned as a young man how to wow crowds, and built a fortune that placed him among the first millionaires in the United States. He also suffered tragedy, bankruptcy, and fires that destroyed his life's work, yet willed himself to rebuild and succeed again. Wilson captures the full genius, infamy, and allure of the ebullient showman. He makes the case that P. T. Barnum represented, and indeed created, a distinctly American sense of optimism, industriousness, humor, and relentless energy. -- adapted from jacket

Table Of Contents

Introduction: "Do you know Barnum?" -- The richest child in town -- The nursemaid -- On Broadway -- The mermaid -- The general -- The queen -- The continent -- At home -- The voice -- Temples of entertainment -- Before the fall -- Putting out fires -- A ruined man -- The war and a wedding -- Fire! -- Show fever -- Marriage bonds -- Excitement, pepper and mustard -- And Bailey -- Last years

Target audience

adult

Classification