The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum

By Candace Fleming
Random House Children’s, $18.99, 151 pages

He was the consummate showman, a master of marketing, a pioneer in amusement, and the man whose name became synonymous with wonder, spectacle, and humbug. P.T. Barnum, much like his eponymous museums and circus shows, was larger than life.

The Great and Only Barnum is a detailed chronicle of his life, from humblest beginnings to soaring heights of fame and fortune, with all the ups and downs in between. Peppered throughout with rare photos and terrific explanatory interludes, Fleming’s book is at once a biography, a tribute, and a window into a simpler and more fantastic period in history.

Despite the plain and accessible writing style, even true Barnum devotees will be pleased by Fleming’s efforts to debunk some of the more tenacious myths surrounding the man. In one notable instance, she refutes that Barnum was the type to declare “there’s a sucker born every minute,” providing a mountain of evidence to support his respect and affection for the audience.

Perfect for children and adults alike, The Great and Only Barnum is a marvelous glimpse at an icon and the myriad ways he changed the face of entertainment forever.

Reviewed by Glenn Dallas