Description

Book Synopsis
Reveals the American showman P T Barnum as, by turns, a moral reformer, a habitual hoaxer, an insightful critic, a savvy puffer, a master of images, a sparkling writer, a relentless provocateur, and an early advocate of family entertainments. This title tracks the shifting personas of the great showman and his representational choices.

Trade Review
"Barnum - arguably more than any other nineteenth-century impresario - transcended local cultural markets to cultivate a powerful and pro .table presence on the national and global stage under the guise of providing educational entertainment for diverse audiences of all ages. Using fascinating, funny, and informative sources, Cook offers an excellent showcase of the central role that nineteenth-century showman P. T. Barnum played in laying the foundations of the modern culture industry." Janet M..Davis, author of The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top

The Colossal P. T. Barnum Reader

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by P T. Barnum, James W. Cook

    £16.99

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm on Saturday for delivery by Tue 17 Nov 2026.

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Colossal P. T. Barnum Reader by P T. Barnum

      Book details

      Publisher University of Illinois Press
      Published 14 December 2005
      ISBN-13 9780252072956
      978-0252072956
      ISBN-10 0252072952

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Reveals the American showman P T Barnum as, by turns, a moral reformer, a habitual hoaxer, an insightful critic, a savvy puffer, a master of images, a sparkling writer, a relentless provocateur, and an early advocate of family entertainments. This title tracks the shifting personas of the great showman and his representational choices.

      Trade Review
      "Barnum - arguably more than any other nineteenth-century impresario - transcended local cultural markets to cultivate a powerful and pro .table presence on the national and global stage under the guise of providing educational entertainment for diverse audiences of all ages. Using fascinating, funny, and informative sources, Cook offers an excellent showcase of the central role that nineteenth-century showman P. T. Barnum played in laying the foundations of the modern culture industry." Janet M..Davis, author of The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account