The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum, by Candace Fleming

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum, by Candace Fleming
Juvenile, 2009

P. T. Barnum is best known for his creation of the Barnum and Bailey 3-Ring Circus. But what Barnum also did with his life was own and operate a museum for over 20 years, change the course of museums and circuses as we know them, as well as a multitude of events, words, transitions and ideas that we still use today. His life, while not perfect, was an example both of the kind of integrity one expects in a business man, and his sense of humor - how to handle life by having one.
Fabulously done. This was hard to put down - well researched and well written, it kept you in its clutches until you finished and then you skim the back looking for more. It read the way I think Barnum would have wanted it to - you'll have to read it to see what I mean. The stories were great, the pictures were informative and fun, and the only thing it lacked was more more more! Of course, because it's juvenile non-fiction there needs to be some restriction. But if you're in the mood for a biography or just a jolly good story, go check it out.
Graded an A.