The Humbugs of the World
Author: Phineas Taylor Barnum
Publisher:
Published: 1866
Total Pages: 368
ISBN-13:
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The Christmas Humbugs
Author: Colleen Monroe
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Published: 2013-08-15
Total Pages: 34
ISBN-13: 1627532072
DOWNLOAD EBOOKChristmas is coming but someone is playing tricks! Torn stockings and broken candy canes reveal that The Christmas Humbugs have arrived at this holiday home. But do not fear, lively rhymes and merry illustrations by Colleen and Michael Glenn Monroe lift spirits and let readers know that not even the Humbugs can dampen Christmas cheer.
P.T. Barnum
Author: A. H. Saxon
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: 1989
Total Pages: 512
ISBN-13: 9780231056878
DOWNLOAD EBOOKI believe hugely in advertising and blowing my own trumpet, beating the gongs, drums, to attract attention to a show, Phineas Taylor Barnum wrote to a publisher in 1860. "I don't believe in 'duping the public,' but I believe in first attracting and then pleasing them." The name P.T. Barnum is virtually synonymous with the fine art of self-advertisement and the apocryphal statement, "There's a sucker born every minute." Nearly a century after his death, Barnum remains one of America's most celebrated figures. In the Selected Letters of P.T. Barnum, A.H. Saxon brings together more than 300 letters written by the self-styled "Prince of Humbugs." Here we see him, opinionated and exuberant, with only the rarest flashes of introspection and self-doubt, haggling with business partners, blustering over politics, and attempting to get such friends as Mark Twain to endorse his latest schemes. Always the king of showmen, Barnum considered himself a museum man first and was forever on the lookout for "curiosities," whether animate or inanimate. His early career included such outright frauds as Joice Heth, the "161-year-old nurse of George Washington," and the Fejee Mermaid-the desiccated head and torso of a monkey sewn to the body of a fish. Although in later years he projected a more solid, respectable image-managing the irreproachable "legitimate" attraction Jenny Lind, becoming a leading light in the temperance crusade, founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus-much of his daily existence continued to be unabashedly devoted to manipulating public opinion so as to acquire for himself and his enterprises what he delightedly termed "notoriety." His famous autobiography, The Life of P.T. Barnum, which he regularly augmented during the last quarter century of his life, was itself a masterpiece of self-promotion. "Will you have the kindness to announce that I am writing my life & that fifty-seven different publishers have applied for the chance of publishing it," he wrote to a newspaper editor, adding, "Such is the fact-and if it wasn't, why still it ain't a bad announcement." The Selected Letters of P.T. Barnum captures the magic of this consummate showman's life, truly his own "greatest show on earth."
The Humbugs of The World
Author: Phineas Taylor Barnum
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
Published: 2023-10-01
Total Pages: 352
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe Humbugs of The World by Barnum, P. T.: An entertaining and satirical exposé by P. T. Barnum, the famous American showman and circus owner. In "The Humbugs of The World," Barnum unmasks various deceptions, charlatans, and fraudulent practices that have plagued society. With wit and humor, Barnum exposes the tricks and illusions used by these humbugs to deceive the public. This book offers a lighthearted but insightful examination of human gullibility and the art of deception. Key Aspects of the Book "The Humbugs of The World": Satirical Critique: Barnum's book provides a satirical critique of various deceptive practices and those who perpetrate them. Entertainment and Wit: The book engages readers with its entertaining anecdotes and clever wit, making it an enjoyable and informative read. Insight into Human Gullibility: "The Humbugs of The World" sheds light on the human tendency to be deceived and the allure of the extraordinary and sensational. P. T. Barnum was an American showman, businessman, and entertainer born in 1810. He is best known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus and his promotional flair in presenting spectacles and curiosities to the public. "The Humbugs of The World" showcases Barnum's ability to entertain while also critiquing the tricks and deceptions that have fascinated audiences throughout history.
The Humbugs of the World
Author: P. T. Barnum
Publisher: DigiCat
Published: 2022-05-17
Total Pages: 322
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe Humbugs of the World, subtitled "An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages" is a book about hoaxes by famous American businessman P. T. Barnum. Barnum tells tales of some of the world's greatest deceits, cheats, cons, and delusions, all of which go under the definition of "humbug". He takes the reader on a tour of flakes through history, describing the ways in which even the brightest fell for the conmen and hucksters of their times. The book also shows just how little changes through the centuries, and how many of the descriptions of cons, swindles and quacks are as relevant today as in Barnum's time.
The Humbugs of the World
Author: P. T. Barnum
Publisher: Standard Ebooks
Published: 2021-06-04T23:27:04Z
Total Pages: 395
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK“Humbug … I won’t believe it,” is Scrooge’s response when confronted by the ghost of his dead partner Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol, and just as surely as Dickens knows that ghosts are humbugs, so too does P. T. Barnum, writing a generation later. For Barnum, humbug begins in the Garden of Eden with the temptation of Eve, and permeates all of history, through every age and in every nation, right down to his own time, where the “Great Spirit Postmaster” publishes ghost letters from veterans recently perished in the Civil War. Barnum himself was often called the “Prince of Humbugs,” but he was no cynic. In this book he sets out to make his fellow citizens a little wiser via a catalog of colorful characters and events, and mocking commentaries about how a sensible person should be more skeptical. He goes after all kinds of classic humbugs like ghosts, witches, and spiritualists, but he also calls humbug on shady investment schemes, hoaxes, swindlers, guerrilla marketers, and political dirty tricksters, before shining a light on the patent medicines of his day, impure foods, and adulterated drinks. As a raconteur, Barnum is conversational and avuncular, sharing the wisdom of his years and opening an intimate window into the New England of the mid-19th century. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.
Barnum
Author: Robert Wilson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2020-08-11
Total Pages: 368
ISBN-13: 1501118714
DOWNLOAD EBOOK“Robert Wilson’s Barnum, the first full-dress biography in twenty years, eschews clichés for a more nuanced story…It is a life for our times, and the biography Barnum deserves.” —The Wall Street Journal P.T. Barnum is the greatest showman the world has ever seen. As a creator of the Barnum & Baily Circus and a champion of wonder, joy, trickery, and “humbug,” he was the founding father of American entertainment—and as Robert Wilson argues, one of the most important figures in American history. Nearly 125 years after his death, the name P.T. Barnum still inspires wonder. Robert Wilson’s vivid new biography captures the full genius, infamy, and allure of the ebullient showman, who, from birth to death, repeatedly reinvented himself. He learned as a young man how to wow crowds, and built a fortune that placed him among the first millionaires in the United States. He also suffered tragedy, bankruptcy, and fires that destroyed his life’s work, yet willed himself to recover and succeed again. As an entertainer, Barnum courted controversy throughout his life—yet he was also a man of strong convictions, guided in his work not by a desire to deceive, but an eagerness to thrill and bring joy to his audiences. He almost certainly never uttered the infamous line, “There’s a sucker born every minute,” instead taking pride in giving crowds their money’s worth and more. Robert Wilson, editor of The American Scholar, tells a gripping story in Barnum, one that’s imbued with the same buoyant spirit as the man himself. In this “engaging, insightful, and richly researched new biography” (New York Journal of Books), Wilson adeptly makes the case for P.T. Barnum’s place among the icons of American history, as a figure who represented, and indeed created, a distinctly American sense of optimism, industriousness, humor, and relentless energy.
The Phantom Tollbooth
Author: Norton Juster
Publisher: Yearling
Published: 1988-10-12
Total Pages: 274
ISBN-13: 0394820371
DOWNLOAD EBOOKWith almost 5 million copies sold 60 years after its original publication, generations of readers have now journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond in this beloved classic. Enriched by Jules Feiffer’s splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster’s offbeat fantasy are as beguiling as ever. “Comes up bright and new every time I read it . . . it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet. And teach us some wisdom, too.” --Phillip Pullman For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!
Bob Humbug
Author: John Falola
Publisher:
Published: 2011-11-11
Total Pages: 48
ISBN-13: 9780615557274
DOWNLOAD EBOOKTo the outside city world, humbugs are a thing of the past. As the last of the once friendly, forest-dwelling creatures, Bob prefers to keep it that way. Holed up in his forgotten tree, he no longer knows how to live, laugh, and love those around him. And like the Grinches and Scrooges of before, he has no love for happy holidays! Yet, one winter, four city children come crashing into the humbug's life, stumbling upon the grumpiest grouch they have ever met! Thinking that Bob suffers from the winter blues, they come back every season to try and make a friend of the humbug. Will they finally succeed in their ambitious quest or will they be sent back to the city for good by mean old Bob?
The Humbugs of The World an Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages
Author: P. T. Barnum
Publisher: Namaskar Books
Published: 2024-11-06
Total Pages: 335
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK"The Humbugs of the World" by P. T. Barnum is a fascinating exploration of the various deceptions, quackeries, and fraudulent practices that have existed throughout history. Written by the legendary showman and businessman known for his own flair for spectacle, Barnum provides readers with a lively and critical account of humbugs—from the minor swindles to the more grandiose deceptions that have captivated and misled people across ages. The book serves as both a historical record and a cautionary tale, shining a light on the darker side of human nature. In "The Humbugs of the World," Barnum examines a wide range of deceptions, from false medical claims and magical trickery to elaborate frauds and societal hoaxes. His witty and engaging prose uncovers the psychology behind why people fall victim to these schemes and how some individuals have made entire careers out of deceiving others. Through historical examples and personal anecdotes, Barnum illustrates how these "humbugs" have had a lasting impact on society, often shaping popular culture and influencing the way people view truth and trust. "The Humbugs of the World" is a blend of history, social commentary, and Barnum's own unique brand of humor. The book is not just a catalog of frauds but a reflection on human gullibility, the allure of deception, and the complex relationship between truth and illusion. It provides readers with both entertainment and education, offering insights into the nature of human belief and the ways in which people are often willing to suspend disbelief in the face of charismatic figures or compelling narratives. Readers are drawn to "The Humbugs of the World" for its entertaining and enlightening exploration of human nature and deception. Barnum’s engaging storytelling, paired with his sharp observations, makes this book a timeless read for anyone interested in history, psychology, or the ways in which people are often misled. Owning a copy of "The Humbugs of the World" is a great addition for readers who appreciate a blend of wit, historical analysis, and insight into the human penchant for trickery and deceit, making it an essential read for those interested in the curious side of human history.
