Struggles and Triumphs

Struggles and Triumphs is the autobiography of P. T. Barnum, famous American businessman and showman. Covering the period of around half a century, the autobiography tells about how he found success selling sights to the American and European public. He was successful because he watched for an opportunity to sell things, and then used the power of marketing and advertising to make sure that everybody wanted to see his attractions. Barnum shares many fascinating episodes in the process of making money and building great fortune, by arranging circus shows, concerts, theatrical performances and similar events, then losing it all through frauds and hoaxes, only to start again and succeeds even more.

P. T. Barnum (1810-1891) was an American showman, politician, and businessman remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was also an author and publisher. According to his critics, his personal aim was only to make money for himself. Barnum is widely credited with coining the adage "There's a sucker born every minute." He wrote several books which had motivation, inspiration, and personal success for theme. One of Barnum's more successful methods of self-promotion was mass publication of his autobiography. At one point the number of copies printed was second only to the New Testament in North America.