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The Driftless Connecticut Series & Garnet Books
Becoming Tom Thumb: Charles Stratton, P. T. Barnum, and the Dawn of American Celebrity
When P. T. Barnum met twenty-five-inch-tall Charles Stratton at a Bridgeport, Connecticut hotel in 1843, one of the most important partnerships in entertainment history was born. With Barnum's promotional skills and the miniature Stratton's comedic talents, they charmed a Who's Who of the 19th century, from Queen Victoria to Charles Dickens to Abraham Lincoln. Adored worldwide as "General Tom Thumb," Stratton played to sold-out shows for almost forty years. From his days as a precocious child star to his tragic early death, Becoming Tom Thumb tells the full story of this iconic figure for the first time. It details his triumphs on the New York stage, his epic celebrity wedding, and his around-the-world tour, drawing on newly available primary sources and interviews. From the mansions of Paris to the deserts of Australia, Stratton's unique brand of Yankee comedy not only earned him the accolades of millions of fans, it helped move little people out of the side show and into the lime light.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 12, 2023
Five glowing stars. A MUST read for fans of The Greatest Showman. A definite read for lovers of biographies and history. A compelling read for all readers. This is the life of Charles Stratton, his relationship with P.T. Barnum, and the vast array of people he met and entertained over the years. What an incredible life lived. Beautifully written and deeply researched. I loved all the little details, the world tour, and to see what the word was like at that time. P.T. Barnum has a well-deserved place in history of the Northeast and entertainment world, but Charles Stratton should be right there with him.
January 18, 2014
In Becoming Tom Thumb, author Eric D. Lehman chronicles a double history: not only the life story of a fascinating little person who would make a big impression both in America and abroad, but the story of a young country seeking its place in a world governed by European powers.
Working largely from newspaper accounts of the day, Lehman takes us on a thrilling journey around the world: we witness Charles Stratton making a name for himself (and the impresario P.T. Barnum) as he entertains the masses and charms the royalty of Europe with an irrepressible wit and indefatigable spirit that would carry him through four decades of whirlwind touring. It's hard not to root for Charles as he confronts the challenges of family, business, and fame while striving to come into his own as a man in an age of tremendous social and technological upheaval.
Impeccably researched, never resorting to groundless speculation, and written in an engaging style that chapter by chapter has the reader wondering "what comes next?", Becoming Tom Thumb is a must-read biography that should satisfy not only history buffs but anyone interested in learning more about nineteenth-century America and the roots of its current celebrity culture. Highly recommended.
Working largely from newspaper accounts of the day, Lehman takes us on a thrilling journey around the world: we witness Charles Stratton making a name for himself (and the impresario P.T. Barnum) as he entertains the masses and charms the royalty of Europe with an irrepressible wit and indefatigable spirit that would carry him through four decades of whirlwind touring. It's hard not to root for Charles as he confronts the challenges of family, business, and fame while striving to come into his own as a man in an age of tremendous social and technological upheaval.
Impeccably researched, never resorting to groundless speculation, and written in an engaging style that chapter by chapter has the reader wondering "what comes next?", Becoming Tom Thumb is a must-read biography that should satisfy not only history buffs but anyone interested in learning more about nineteenth-century America and the roots of its current celebrity culture. Highly recommended.
June 24, 2017
A compelling and at points even moving account of Charles Stratton's life and career. Lehman really captures Stratton's personality and character, showing why so many were delighted by him. By the end, you feel like you know the man who was Tom Thumb.
The book falls short, however, at trying to address larger cultural issues and historical developments. There's very little here about the "dawn of celebrity" or what it meant for America and Europe to change in such a way that they were fixated by a personality. There isn't an argument for how and why the world was changing--technologically, economically, culturally--to make Tom Thumb possible.
The book falls short, however, at trying to address larger cultural issues and historical developments. There's very little here about the "dawn of celebrity" or what it meant for America and Europe to change in such a way that they were fixated by a personality. There isn't an argument for how and why the world was changing--technologically, economically, culturally--to make Tom Thumb possible.
October 26, 2016
Despite the subtitle, Becoming Tom Thumb turns out to be less about the invention of the contemporary celebrity than it is about securing a historical record of this actor's life and career. I would've loved a bit more extrapolating on the part of the author- whether in drawing more connections with the developing notion of "celebrity" and where that has lead, or in a more vivid imagining of scenes from Stratton's remarkable life and times.
Instead, Lehman provides us with a capable and somewhat dry detailing of Stratton's many travels and adventures. Upshot: too many footnotes, not enough "humbug."
Instead, Lehman provides us with a capable and somewhat dry detailing of Stratton's many travels and adventures. Upshot: too many footnotes, not enough "humbug."
July 31, 2014
Fascinating story with a lot of interesting facts. Unfortunately, it got a little slow in parts.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews