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

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum Audiobook

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum Audiobook, by Candace Fleming Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Sarah Beth Pfeifer Publisher: Tantor Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: May 2025 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9798331971984

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

11

Longest Chapter Length:

34:39 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:46 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

22:15 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

18
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Publisher Description

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. Listeners can visit Barnum's American Museum; meet Tom Thumb, the miniature man (only thirty-nine inches tall) and his tinier bride (thirty-two inches); experience the thrill Barnum must have felt when, at age sixty, he joined the circus; and discover Barnum's legacy to the nineteenth century and beyond. This book presents history as it's never been experienced before—a show-stopping event!

Download and start listening now!

"A lively and interesting biography befitting a lively and interesting man. Author paints a well rounded portrait of Barnum that, while highlighting his innovations and achievements, does not shy away from the less positive aspects of his character. Great fun to read! "

— Lisa (5 out of 5 stars)

The Great and Only Barnum Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.933333333333333 out of 53.933333333333333 out of 53.933333333333333 out of 53.933333333333333 out of 53.933333333333333 out of 5 (3.93)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 18
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A fascinating person! I am a great admirer of Candce Fleming. Her books, both fiction and nonfiction are always excellent. "

    — Lauren, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a well-written and fascinating book complete with sidebars, table of contents, bibliography, source notes, picture credits and index. The illustrations and photographs are marvelous. "

    — Nina, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Barnum's life is so interesting that any book would be a joy to read; Fleming's book, although not perfect, was perfectly enjoyable. My only complaint - and it's a big one - was the many, many inset boxes of text with additional facts and information. WHY? What's the point? If this is a tactic to mimic kids' history textbooks, why would you want to do that? Kids' history text books SUCK. They are Boring. Or is it supposed to appeal to kids' lack of attention and increased reliance on visual cues - then why not include more pictures and less text? This almost - almost, mind you, not completely - ruined the book for me. Fleming is a good writer, so that more than made up for some bad design choices. "

    — Shawn, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this one after seeing Water for Elephants. This makes a perfect report for upper elementary and middle school. It's a bit long at 160 pages, but gives entertaining insight into Barnum and behind the scenes of the circus. "

    — Melissa, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fascinating book - I really knew nothing about Barnum before picking up this book. Definitely a book that all libraries should have. "

    — Cathy, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a young adult book, but it did not pull any punches about P.T.Barnum's life. It was very interesting and presented it in the context of his century.... "

    — Richard, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a very entertaining non-fiction read. I think Candace Fleming is brilliant at making non-fiction crazy interesting. "

    — Kate, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really interesting book about Barnum and all the bizarre things he was into! One of my favorite facts: He had his obituary run in the paper before he died so he could read it...ha! "

    — Shiralea, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book. I loved learning not just about Barnum but also that time in history. "

    — April, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Juvenile non-fiction at it's best! A fascinating recap of P.T. Barnum's life. "

    — Alicia, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A lively and interesting biography befitting a lively and interesting man. Author paints a well rounded portrait of Barnum that, while highlighting his innovations and achievements, does not shy away from the less positive aspects of his character. Great fun to read! "

    — Lisa, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was a fascinating account of a unique man who surrounded himself with other unique people and put them on display. In addition he became a collector of oddities that provided a glimpse into an otherwise unknown world. He was a showman extraordinaire. "

    — Heloyce, 8/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fun and interesting bioography of the great showman PT Barnum. A larger than life character with some questionable business strategies, but people seemed to love it. "

    — Suzette, 8/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Accesible non-fiction AND great book design! "

    — Alison, 6/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you want to laugh out loud about the antics of a crazy man, this biography just might be for you. The details are what makes this story fun. I recommend it as a fun biography that turns out to be a very quick read. "

    — Elisabeth, 12/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fascinating story (fascinating man), very appealing and appropriate visual elements and layout. I found the writing to be a bit awkward at some points. "

    — Mandy, 11/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Barnum lead such an interesting life that reading about him is bound to be a fascinating and educational endeavor. The numerous black and white photographs really bring all the individual anecdotes to life. I think this will be a fun read for middle grades kids. "

    — Morgan, 2/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As great as the showman himself! I loved this book, and found it to be an easy sell to students in a fourth grade class who like reading Ripleys Believe it or Not type books. "

    — Carol, 11/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I don't know what disappointed me more in this book, the way Barnum exploited people or the way they praise him for it. Every page is an insult to some person with some mysterious disease that became a side-show attraction for Barnum. Not so sure that I consider that "tremendous" or "stupendous." "

    — T.R., 7/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was an extremely interesting book about strange circus people. "

    — Yehwan, 7/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a young adult book, but it did not pull any punches about P.T.Barnum's life. It was very interesting and presented it in the context of his century.... <br/> "

    — Richard, 5/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Accesible non-fiction AND great book design! "

    — Alison, 5/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a well-written and fascinating book complete with sidebars, table of contents, bibliography, source notes, picture credits and index. The illustrations and photographs are marvelous. "

    — Nina, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a very entertaining non-fiction read. I think Candace Fleming is brilliant at making non-fiction crazy interesting. "

    — Kate, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As great as the showman himself! I loved this book, and found it to be an easy sell to students in a fourth grade class who like reading Ripleys Believe it or Not type books. "

    — Carol, 4/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Juvenile non-fiction at it's best! A fascinating recap of P.T. Barnum's life. "

    — Alicia, 2/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Barnum lead such an interesting life that reading about him is bound to be a fascinating and educational endeavor. The numerous black and white photographs really bring all the individual anecdotes to life. I think this will be a fun read for middle grades kids. "

    — Morgan, 1/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A fascinating choice to meet that biography reading requirement. "

    — Carolynlam2, 1/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " this book was really boring (I hate nonfiction books if u haven't noticed). I gave it a two instead of a 1 because I sometimes liked the pictures and the entertaining things &quot;people&quot; that he had. But he was also very cruel to elephants........:( "

    — Ani, 10/13/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this memoir by Fleming; it is definitely &quot;readable&quot; from beginning to end. Interesting and enjoyable--grades 5 and up. "

    — Kendall, 10/5/2010

About Candace Fleming

Candace Fleming is the award-winning author of many books for children and young adults. Her books have often earned multiple starred reviews. The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh received six starred reviews, was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal and was hailed by the Wall Street Journal as a “fascinating chronicle.” The Family Romanov received six starred reviews, won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was recognized as a Sibert Nonfiction Honor Book. Visit her on the web at candacefleming.com.

About Sarah Beth Pfeifer

Graham Halstead, an Earphones Award and Audie Award–winning narrator, is a professionally trained actor and voice artist. As an actor, he has worked internationally in Edinburgh and London, as well as at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. His youthful, easy-flowing voice can be heard on television and radio voicing spots for Airborne and Allegra.