The Art of Money Getting was written by P. T. Barnum. In this publication Barnum shares his knowledge of business and teaches readers how to be successful in making money. This is an excellent book for individuals who are interested in learning from an important historical business leaders own personal success and also serves as an excellent motivational writing intended for those looking to be successful and make lots of money. The Humbugs of the World, published in 1865, exposes several of the chief humbugs of the world, written in the entertaining and humorous style Barnum is known for. Found within are discussions relative to hoaxes, money manias, adventurers, medicine and quacks, religious humbugs, trade and business impositions, spiritualists, ghosts and witchcrafts, and personal reminiscences.

Phineas Taylor Barnum ( 1810 – 1891) was an American showman, businessman, scam artist and entertainer, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the famous traveling circus. Barnum was also an author, publisher, philanthropist, and for some time a politician. His successes may have made him the first "show business" millionaire.