The Humbugs of the World

P. T. Barnum

The Humbugs of the World — P. T. Barnum surveys frauds, hoaxes, superstitions, quack remedies, financial manias, spiritualist performances, and celebrated impostors from history and his own career. Mixing exposure, anecdote, satire, and a showman’s wit, he explains how deception works and why audiences are eager to believe it.