Humbug: The Art of P.T. Barnum

by Neil Harris

This carefully researched study of America's greatest showman, huckster, and impresario is both an inclusive analysis of the historical and cultural forces that were the conditions of P. T. Barnum's success, and, as befits its subject, a richly entertaining presentation of the outrageous man and his exploits.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, 19th Century

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Michael Perkins]

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

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

[Pete]

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]

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

[Daniel Muleady]

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]

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

[Robert A]

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

[Maggie M]

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.