In a series of interwoven fictionalized stories, Deborah Noyes gives voice to the marginalized women in P. T. Barnum’s family — and the talented entertainers he built his entertainment empire on. Much has been written about P. T. Barnum — legendary showman, entrepreneur, marketing genius, and one of the most famous nineteenth-century personalities. For those who lived in Barnum’s shadow, however, life was complex. P. T. Barnum’s two families — his family at home, including his two wives and his daughters, and his family at work, including Little People, a giantess, an opera singer, and many sideshow entertainers — suffered greatly from his cruelty and exploitation. Yet, at the same time, some of his performers, such as General Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton), became wealthy celebrities who were admired and feted by presidents and royalty. In this collection of interlinked stories illustrated with archival photographs, Deborah Noyes digs deep into what is known about the people in Barnum’s orbit and imagines their personal lives, putting front and center the complicated joy and pain of what it meant to be one of Barnum’s “creatures.”

From the #1 internationally bestselling author of the “lush, evocative Gothic” (The New York Times Book Review) The Doll Factory comes an atmospheric and spectacular novel about a woman transformed by the arrival of a Victorian circus of wonders—“as moving as it is deeply entertaining” (Daniel Mason, New York Times bestselling author). Step up, step up! In 1860s England, circus mania is sweeping the nation. Crowds jostle for a glimpse of the lion-tamers, the dazzling trapeze artists and, most thrilling of all, the so-called “human wonders.” When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders pitches its tent in a poor coastal town, the life of one young girl changes forever. Sold to the ringmaster as a “leopard girl” because of the birthmarks that cover her body, Nell is utterly devastated. But as she grows close to the other performers, she finds herself enchanted by the glittering freedom of the circus, and by her own role as the Queen of the Moon and Stars. Before long, Nell’s fame spreads across the world—and with it, a chance for Jasper Jupiter to grow his own name and fortune. But what happens when her fame begins to eclipse his own, when even Jasper’s loyal brother Toby becomes captivated by Nell? No longer the quiet flower-picker, Nell knows her own place in the world, and she will fight for it. Circus of Wonders is a beautiful story about the “complex dance between exploitation and empowerment, and the question of what it really means to have control over your own life” (Naomi Ishiguro, author of Escape Routes).

Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages, step right up for Who HQ's entertaining biography of P. T. Barnum: politician, businessman, and The Greatest Showman on Earth! After moving from Connecticut to New York City in 1834, twenty-four-year-old Phineas Taylor Barnum launched his now-legendary career as a showman. Even though spectators debated whether his exhibitions were authentic wonders, hoaxes, or a little bit of both, they were always astounded by what they saw. And readers are sure to be amazed by the story of how Barnum went from owning a museum filled with rare and unusual items to transforming the American circus into a popular and thrilling phenomenon.

Discover the true story of P.T. Barnum, the man who created the world-famous Barnum & Bailey Circus, as featured in the movie The Greatest Showman! The award-winning author of The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary, Amelia Lost, and Our Eleanor brings us the larger-than-life biography of showman P. T. Barnum. Known far and wide for his jumbo elephants, midgets, and three-ring circuses, here’ s a complete and captivating look at the man behind the Greatest Show on Earth. Readers can visit Barnum’s American Museum; meet Tom Thumb, the miniature man (only 39 inches tall) and his tinier bride (32 inches); experience the thrill Barnum must have felt when, at age 60, he joined the circus; and discover Barnum’s legacy to the 19th century and beyond. Drawing on old circus posters, photographs, etchings, ticket stubs—and with incredible decorative art by Ray Fenwick—this book presents history as it’s never been experienced before—a show-stopping event!

The greatest showman on Earth in his own words is great! Required reading for all entrepreneurs, relive the remarkable true-life adventure of the world's best-known circus promoter and entertainment mastermind. A story that's as relevant today as it was in the 19th century, P.T. Barnum's wild tale of rags to riches success is vain, egotistical, self-serving, and thoroughly entertaining. This printing is refreshed for modern audiences with enlarged pages, remastered images, new cover design and the original classic retro font. P.T. Barnum originally released his raucous autobiography in 1869 and again in 1884 with updated "recollections" as he puts them. Few people have ever lived a career more crowded with incident, enterprise, and self-promoted success than the world's foremost circus promoter who brought us the Barnum and Baileys Circus, among other attractions. Barnum's business acumen launched such projects as the American Museum, Tom Thumb, Jenny Lind, and other famous curiosities. He served as a mayor and a successful politician but also endured his share of failures and disappointments. This re-telling of his life is filled with spectacular periods engravings to aid in storytelling enlarged for viewing pleasure. Table of Contents: Chapter 1: Early Life Chapter 2: Incidents and Anecdotes Chapter 3: In Business for Myself Chapter 4: Struggles for a Livelihood Chapter 5: My Start as a Showman Chapter 6: My First Traveling Company Chapter 7: A The Foot of the Ladder Chapter 8: The American Museum Chapter 9: The Road to Riches Chapter 10: Another Successful Speculation Chapter 11: General Tom Thumb in England Chapter 12: In France Chapter 13: In Belgium Chapter 14: In England Again Chapter 15: Return to America Chapter 16: At Home Chapter 17: The Jenny Lind Enterprise Chapter 18: The Nightingale in New York Chapter 19: Successful Management Chapter 20: Incidents of the Tour Chapter 21: Jenny Lind Chapter 22: Close of the Campaign Chapter 23: Other Enterprises Chapter 24: Work and Play Chapter 25: The Jerome Clock Company Entanglement Chapter 26: Clouds and Sunshine Chapter 27: Rest, But Not Rust Chapter 28: Abroad Again Chapter 29: In Germany Chapter 30: In Holland Chapter 31: The Art of Money-Getting Chapter 32: An Enterprising Englishman Chapter 33: Richard's Himself Again Chapter 34: Menagerie and Museum Memoranda Chapter 35: East Bridgeport Chapter 36: More About the Museum Chapter 37: Mr. and Mrs. General Tom Thumb Chapter 38: Political and Personal Chapter 39: The American Museum in Ruins Chapter 40: My War on the Railroads Chapter 41: Bennett and the Herald Chapter 42: Public Lecturing Chapter 43: The New Museum Chapter 44: Curious Coincidences - Number Thirteen Chapter 45: Sea-Side Park Chapter 46: Waldermere Chapter 47: Best Only Found in Action Chapter 48: Among My Friends and Neighbors Chapter 49: Hippodromical, Hymenial, and Municipal Chapter 50: Foreign and Domestic Chapter 51: The Great Alliance

"Explores the life of showman P. T. Barnum, including his start as an entrepreneur, creating the American Museum, building and losing his fortune, and introducing the three-ring circus to America"--Provided by publisher.