The book is packed with practical advice that we've heard before but need hearing again. Despite this, I struggled reading this book, because of the disconnect between what I was reading, and who Barnum was. He talks about valuing your customers, and operating with integrity, which are very good things. However, Barnum was a scam artist and hoaxer, who manipulated the people who came to see his shows.This book is written in the format of listing the golden rules for making money according to PT Barnum. There was a movie released recently called The Greatest Showman about PT Barnum's success. Even though the book is written from the perspective of an earlier time, the terminology was not difficult to apply to today. Before the "rules" are laid out, the introduction makes it sound simple and easy to make money. It says it's not difficult to make money and the road to wealth is plain. But it then explains that it's only easy for people who really understand economics. Examples were given of saving on many small expenses that make it feel like you are trying to save more money, when many people that do that end up spending more on one thing that is something much more expensive that they could do without. The introduction also says that some of the worst reasons people spend more money than they have are due to what can be called sinful behaviors. They want to keep up with their neighbors and be seen as successful, or they have bad habits like tobacco that cost money and ruins their health, or they drink too much that not only cost money and ruins their health but also does not let them think clearly.The Art of Money Getting: Golden Rules for Money Making" written by P.T. Barnum, is a very noble, helpful and inspiring read, still until this day. Barnum is basically listing out the different ways he believes are helpful to not only getting but attaining money as well, while going into detail as how to do such. The way he gets his point across in the book is surprisingly relatable, often telling stories that almost anyone can relate to.His main point in regards to obtaining money is that there are a lot of ways in which one needs to be smart in how they go about and what they do with the money they receive. Barnum separates the topics in his book by stating exact phrases that coincide with what you should do with your money, such as "Avoid Debt", "Use The Best Tools", "Advertise Your Business", and "Preserve Your Integrity". It seems that in sectioning off his book in that way, he wanted to make it easier for people to find the section that best applies to the circumstance they are currently in.

If, then, sound health is the foundation of success and happiness in life, how important it is that we should study the laws of health, which is but another expression for the laws of nature! The nearer we keep to the laws of nature, the nearer we are to good health, and yet how many persons there are who pay no attention to natural laws, but absolutely transgress them, even against their own natural inclination. We ought to know that the “sin of ignorance” is never winked at in regard to the violation of nature's laws; their infraction always brings the penalty. A child may thrust its finger into the flames without knowing it will burn, and so suffers, repentance, even, will not stop the smart. Many of our ancestors knew very little about the principle of ventilation. They did not know much about oxygen, whatever other “gin” they might have been acquainted with; and consequently they built their houses with little seven-by-nine feet bedrooms, and these good old pious Puritans would lock themselves up in one of these cells, say their prayers and go to bed. In the morning they would devoutly return thanks for the “preservation of their lives,” during the night, and nobody had better reason to be thankful. Probably some big crack in the window, or in the door, let in a little fresh air, and thus saved them.

"The Art of Money Getting or Golden Rules for Making Money" is a practical guide to building personal wealth. Each chapter of the book is dedicated to a piece of advice like: "Whatever you do, do it with all might" and contains a detailed commentary on the recommendation. It also includes great stories, examples, and critical insights on wealth.

P. T. Barnum, the great American showman of the 19th century, wrote this short book about making and keeping money. He certainly had life experiences that qualify him for the subject--he started a small newspaper in his twenties, bought and transformed a museum into a showplace for curiosities, built a circus empire that gave performances in America and Europe, promoted a performing tour of a singer, fell into debt in the 1850s and pulled himself out by lecture tours, was a mayor, and founded a hospital.Excerpts:"Those who really desire to attain an independence, have only to set their minds upon it, and adopt the proper means, as they do in regard to any other object which they wish to accomplish, and the thing is easily done. But however easy it may be found to make money, I have no doubt many of my hearers will agree it is the most difficult thing in the world to keep it. ... True economy consists in always making the income exceed the out-go.""Unless a man enters upon the vocation intended for him by nature, and best suited to his peculiar genius, he cannot succeed. I am glad to believe that the majority of persons do find their right vocation. Yet we see many who have mistaken their calling..."His advice is indicated by the chapter titles:DON'T MISTAKE YOUR VOCATION,SELECT THE RIGHT LOCATION,AVOID DEBT,PERSEVERE,WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT,USE THE BEST TOOLS,DON'T GET ABOVE YOUR BUSINESS,LEARN SOMETHING USEFUL,LET HOPE PREDOMINATE, BUT BE NOT TOO VISIONARY,DO NOT SCATTER YOUR POWERS,BE SYSTEMATIC,READ THE NEWSPAPERS,BEWARE OF "OUTSIDE OPERATIONS",DON'T INDORSE WITHOUT SECURITY,ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS,"DON'T READ THE OTHER SIDE",BE POLITE AND KIND TO YOUR CUSTOMERS,BE CHARITABLE,DON'T BLAB,PRESERVE YOUR INTEGRITY.

Illustrated Version of The Original Classic "The Art of Money Getting" P.T Barnum (July 5, 1810 - April 7,1981) wore many hats! He was best known as an American showman but he also had many more titles. Phineas Taylor Barnum was also a businessman, politician, author, and philanthropist. Barnum started his first business at a fairly young age (early twenties). From there he created several more businesses over the years such as a newspaper company, lottery networks, general stores, and more but it wasn't until 1835 when his career as a showman began. Barnum started his own circus business at the age of 60 which is now known as "Barnum & Bailey Circus". His Circus was eventually sold to the Ringling Brothers and the two companies eventually merged to form Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus. As mentioned prior, Barnum was also an author and wrote several books including this one. Barnum was a very successful businessman that decided to share his knowledge with the world to help others achieve success.

The Art of Money Getting is a business model book written by famous American businessman P. T. Barnum. In this publication Barnum shares his knowledge of business and teaches readers how to be successful in making money. He provides 20 rules for the development of character and for personal success, emphasizing that there are no shortcuts to wealth, aside from right vocation, good character, and perseverance. This is an excellent book for individuals who are interested in learning from an important historical business leaders own personal success and also serves as an excellent motivational writing intended for those looking to be successful and make lots of money.

P. T. Barnum, the great American showman of the 19th century, wrote this short book about making and keeping money. He certainly had life experiences that qualify him for the subject--he started a small newspaper in his twenties, bought and transformed a museum into a showplace for curiosities, built a circus empire that gave performances in America and Europe, promoted a performing tour of a singer, fell into debt in the 1850s and pulled himself out by lecture tours, was a mayor, and founded a hospital.