Module 12: The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming

"'If it is bold, it is Barnum.  If it is big, it is Barnum.  As a showman, he stands alone.'"

nypl.tumblr.com

Citation

Fleming, C.  (2009).  The great and only Barnum.  New York:  Schwartz & Wade Books.

Summary

The book tells the life story of one of America's greatest showmen - P.T. Barnum of Barnum & Bailey's famous circus.  From his scheming childhood as a young businessman to wildly popular museum and his days as a circus owner, it can all be found in this book.  The book covers his museum in great deal, talking about its popularity and shortcomings.  Barnum's family and personal life are briefly covered--both the impressive and the less inspiring.  Barnum is presented as a shrewd and impressive businessman, never afraid to "dupe" people into visiting his museum, even taking advantage of the questionable verifiability of his exhibits.  Illustrations, photographs, and poster reproductions are plentiful, allowing readers to see the oddities and curious from his museum, his family members, and his traveling circus trains.  Short stories and facts are shared in pullout boxes scattered throughout the text.  A bibliography, source notes, picture credits, and detailed index are included.

My Impressions

Fleming does an excellent job of writing an interesting, informative, and objective biography.  Barnum's story is fascinating on its own, and this biography certainly does it justice.  Her writing is clear and engaging, passing no judgment on Barnum's weaknesses or faults.  She brings Barnum to life, capturing his big personality and examining his personal and public identity.  I was especially intrigued by the numerous photographs of Barnum's museum exhibits and circus performances, as well as many promotional materials.  It was also very much appreciated that an inset box explained the difference in cultural attitudes towards the "freak shows" popular during Barnum's time.  Contextualizing information is especially helpful for students learning about people who lived in a different time period.  The Great and Only Barnum is an excellent biography, and has inspired me to give the genre another try.

Reviews

School Library Journal

"Gr 6 Up--Inheriting his grandfather's practical jokester ways, P. T. Barnum became one of the world's greatest showmen. Candace Fleming (Random House, 2009) traces Barnum's life from his youth in Bethel, Connecticut, to his final days as the part owner of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Her unbiased biography doesn't pull any punches, discussing his problems with alcoholism and his faults as well as his humane side and exuberant personality. Along with the interesting description of Barnum's life are cameos about performers who worked for him, information about his family, and brief descriptions of some of his curiosities. The bonus CD includes the wonderful period photos and illustrations from the print version that help bring the text to life. This informative, entertaining biography is an outstanding choice for school reports, reluctant readers, and just for fun."

Flood, S.  (2011).  [Review of the book The great and only Barnum by C. Fleming].  School Library Journal, 57(10), 80.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Publishers Weekly

The life of showman Phineas Taylor Barnum gets show-stopping treatment in Fleming's (The Lincolns) latest biographical work. Presented as clever, resilient and ever-consumed with making a buck, the Barnum of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is brought to life in anecdotes over 11 chapters. Nicknamed "Tale" as a boy, he "hated farm-work" ("I was always ready to concoct fun, or lay plans for money-making, but hand-work was decidedly not in my line"). His personal struggles with alcohol and a less-than-happy marriage are detailed alongside his many public successes (and hoaxes). A tour of his famed American Museum and an account of a day at the circus (complete with descriptions of the human curiosities Barnum employed) set readers in the middle of the singular late 19th-century entertainment scene. As in a real circus, the large-format pages include plenty to grab readers' attention: white-on-black sidebars that put the entrepreneur's feats in context ("African Americans were barred from entering Barnum's American Museum except on certain days"), b&w photos and advertising posters. Audiences will step right up to this illuminating and thorough portrait of an entertainment legend. Ages 8-12.

[Review of the book The great and only Barnum by C. Fleming].  (2009).  Pubishers Weekly, 256(35), 60.  Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com

Suggested Library Uses

• Promote this biography, along with other books about circuses when a circus is in town.  Book displays and a storytime would be simple means of doing so.
• Host a circus at the library.  Things to consider included might be a dog training competition for circus acts, a display of odd items around the community for the sideshow, and games on a midway.  Exhibits about the history of circuses could be included, as well. 

Find it @ your library - Albany County Public Library

J B Barnum, P.T.


Notes
Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth, ALA, 2010
Kirkus Best Young Adult Books, 2009
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 2009
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, ALA, 2010