Showman and the Slave

In "Showman and the Slave," author Benjamin Reiss delves into the intriguing world of P. T. Barnum and his infamous Joice Heth hoax, exploring the intricate tapestry of race relations in the antebellum North. Published by Harvard University Press in 2010, this compelling biography spans 288 pages and sheds light on Barnum's first exhibit, Joice Heth, an enslaved woman who was controversially claimed to be the 161-year-old former nurse of George Washington. Reiss expertly dissects how Heth's story became one of America's earliest media spectacles, offering a fascinating lens through which to examine the intersections of popular culture, race, and exploitation in the United States. This insightful work will engross readers interested in history, biography, and the dynamics of race and gender during a pivotal era.