Showing results for "P T Barnum" in Arts & Entertainment

P. T. Barnum, best known for his own use of hoaxes in his popular Barnum & Bailey Circus, found that the use of hoaxes was acceptable when the audience was getting the entertainment they paid for. When it came to religious hoaxes, fraud, and swindling, Barnum was avidly against it. He even went so far as to offer $500 to any medium who could prove that they actually could reach the dead. In this exposé of humbugs and the scams they perpetuate, he goes after religious quacks, witches and sorcerers, and other forms of frauds in all walks of life.

Discover the intriguing life of Phineas Taylor Barnum, an American showman, entrepreneur, and entertainer renowned for his elaborate hoaxes and the creation of the famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Often hailed as the inaugural millionaire of show business, Barnums diverse pursuits also included writing, publishing, philanthropy, and a stint in politics. However, he proudly proclaimed himself a showman and was unapologetically driven by his desire to fill his own coffers. Dive into his extraordinary journey and learn from his unique approach to wealth creation. (Reference ...

“Les Standiford takes us under the big top and behind the curtain in this richly researched and thoroughly engaging narrative that captures all of the entrepreneurial intrigue and spirit of the American circus.” —Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Devil in the Grove Millions...