Humbug: The Art of P.T. Barnum

by Neil Harris

This book is one of the most valuable contributions to American cultural studies of the 19th century in recent years. It explores analytically & critically American cultural life, the developing urbanization between 1840 & the 1880s, & some major patterns within that movement, thru the prism of the career of P.T. Barnum.
The stupendous P.T. Barnum: the 'hero about whose name clusters so much of romantic interest & whose brilliant deeds are themes of poetry & prose' as one of his own posters modestly put it. Impresario, circus owner, speculator, lecturer, author, politician, he was unquestionably America's greatest showman. For decades he reigned supreme as the master of trickery & extravaganza. In Humbug: The Art of P.T. Barnum, Neil Harris demonstrates how he puffed his way to the top
Introduction
Early years
The American museum
The operational aesthetic
International triumphs
The Swedish nightingale
Disasters encountered
Business & politics
The man of confidence
The circus
The compleat showman
Acknowledgments
Bibliographic Essay
Notes Index

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, 19th Century

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Michael Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Barnum, the kind of huckster America seems to like....

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

neil harris was actually my BA advisor in college, although we didn't meet more than 2-3 times. i've read two of his books since then and it makes me wish 20 year old pete was a little more aware of how enormously smart he is and has been since before i was born. scamming is way deep down in the american genome.

[Jayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to learn from the O.H. ("original huckster").

[Daniel Muleady · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this horrendously dull. The best part was learning about each of Barnum's schemes and seeing his life as a thread of increasingly outlandish business ventures. I just didn't like the writing style and how slowly paced the book seemed.

[Jukka Häkkinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sujuvasti kirjoitettu kuvaus amerikkalaisen viihdyttäjän, P.T. Barnumin, vauhdikkaasta elämästä.

[Robert A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading a history text book is more exciting. Just statements and facts
I really should give it a one star.

[Maggie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seemed more like a book you'd pick up to do a report on P.T. Barnum in fourth grade, but if you're looking for some basic info on Barnum or circus history in general it's a good start. There are some interesting nuggets of info in the book. I finished it in about an hour and a half.