P. T. Barnum published 4 novels, 1 novella, 2 non-fiction books and 1 children's book, beginning with The Art of Money Getting (1880).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with P. T. Barnum
Standalone novels in order
The Humbugs of the World (1865)
Jack In The Jungle (1880)
The Wild Beasts, Birds And Reptiles Of The World (1888)
Novellas in order
The Art of Money Getting (1880)
Non-fiction in order
Life of P. T. Barnum (1885)
Dollars and Sense (1890)
Children's books in order
P.t. Barnum's Menagerie (1888)
About P. T. Barnum
Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American showman, businessman, and politician remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and founding the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus with James Anthony Bailey. He was also an author, publisher, and philanthropist, although he said of himself: "I am a showman by profession ... and all the gilding shall make nothing else of me." The adage "there's a sucker born every minute" has frequently been attributed to him, although no evidence exists that he had coined the phrase.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
P. T. Barnum FAQ
- How many books has P. T. Barnum written?
- P. T. Barnum published 4 novels, 1 novella, 2 non-fiction books and 1 children's book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read P. T. Barnum's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Art of Money Getting.
- What is P. T. Barnum's last book?
- Dollars and Sense (1890).
- What is P. T. Barnum's most famous book?
- The Art of Money Getting (1880) is P. T. Barnum's most widely read book.
- Can I read P. T. Barnum's books for free?
- Yes. 4 books by P. T. Barnum are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like P. T. Barnum
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.