LitPick Review
George Sullivan's "Tom Thumb" chronicles the compelling life of the young circus star that most of us have come to adore during various stages of our childhoods. His well-written prose details the events that made this less-than-thirty-three-inch tall anomaly into the man that circus-goers of America regarded as awe-inspiring. Beginning with his recruitment by circus mogul P.T. Barnum, the biography covers the highs and lows of Thumb's career, paying special attention to his long courtship of dwarf Lavinia Warren. The book's thoughtful language is accompanied by a plethora of photos of the circus-star in various stages of his life, providing a more enduring connection to the subject, as opposed to the superficial glance that is offered in other novels I've read about Thumb. This biographical adventure is a must-read for anyone who enjoys an uber-descriptive journey into the past!
Opinion:
Being a history buff myself, I immediately jumped on the chance to review this book about Tom Thumb. George Sullivan did a beautiful job of covering every aspect of Tom Thumb's life, allowing readers to view him as more of a man than a spectacle inside of the three rings. Book-lovers young and old can enjoy this literary journey, as the rich life of this "circus freak" contains a story for everyone. This is definitely the most interesting and well-written biographies I've ever encountered throughout years of historical reading. I highly recommend this work for fans of Sarah Gruen's "Water for Elephants", as well as anyone who enjoys fine biographical literature.
