Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Art of Money Getting
- Author: P. T. Barnum
- Narrator: Jill Preston
- Length: 01:38:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2016
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Business & Economics, Personal Finance
- ISBN13: SABLIB9781823
Hey there, story lovers and digital culture explorers! Sophie Bennett here, your go-to Digital Culture Critic, diving into the audiobook free version of *Art of Money Getting* by the legendary P.T. Barnum, narrated by Jill Preston. Let’s break this down: a 19th-century self-help classic, delivered straight to your ears via LibriVox, with all the charm and quirks of its Gilded Age roots. As someone who’s spent years dissecting storytelling across platforms—think my *Future of Stories* podcast or my BookTok deep dives—I couldn’t wait to see how this piece of history holds up in audio form. Spoiler alert: it’s a fascinating mix of timeless wisdom, dated vibes, and a narrator who keeps it lively.
First impressions? This isn’t your typical dry financial advice book. Barnum, the ultimate showman, spins his *Golden Rules for Making Money* with the flair you’d expect from the guy who brought us the circus. Originally published in 1880, it’s a snapshot of the Gilded Age—think rapid industrialization, self-made millionaires, and that wild American Dream energy. The audiobook experience, clocking in at just over an hour, feels like a time capsule you can pop into while multitasking. And since it’s free on LibriVox, it’s a no-brainer for anyone curious about personal finance with a historical twist.
Here’s what makes this interesting: this book hit me personally in a way I didn’t expect. A while back, when I was prepping a *Future of Stories* episode on Andy Weir’s *Project Hail Mary*, I compared how different formats—print, ebook, audiobook—shifted the experience. The audiobook’s sound design brought alien languages to life in a way text couldn’t. With *Art of Money Getting*, I found myself connecting it to a memory of my early freelancing days. I was juggling gigs, trying to figure out how to make a buck without losing my soul, and Barnum’s advice about choosing a vocation that fits your skills hit me like a lightbulb moment. His words, even from 150 years ago, felt like a pep talk from a savvy uncle—equal parts motivating and a little cheeky.
So, let’s dig into the meat of it. Barnum’s key themes revolve around practical, no-nonsense principles for building and keeping wealth. He’s big on perseverance—success doesn’t come without grinding it out—and avoiding debt like it’s the plague. There’s a whole bit about systematic spending (hello, budgeting apps of 1880!) and picking a career that suits you. I love how he throws in advertising as a must-do—classic Barnum, the promo king. He also nudges you to keep learning useful skills and to be organized, which feels oddly relevant in today’s hustle culture. But it’s not all rosy—he’s got this ‘don’t mistrust mankind’ vibe that’s sweet but screams for a reality check in 2025. Jill Preston’s narration nails these ideas, giving them a modern spark while honoring their old-school roots.
Speaking of Jill Preston, the narrator performance here is a standout. Her voice has this warm, engaging quality—think of a friend who’s really good at storytelling over coffee. She paces Barnum’s advice perfectly, letting his humor and showman energy shine without overacting. The audio quality, being a LibriVox production, is clean but basic—no fancy sound effects or multi-voice drama here. It’s just Preston and Barnum’s words, which works for this short listen. I kept thinking about my BookTok breakdown of *The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo*—how fans raved about the narrator unlocking character depth. Preston does something similar, making Barnum’s sometimes preachy tone feel conversational, like he’s winking at you through history.
Now, the cultural impact here is wild. This book is pure Gilded Age Americana—self-reliance, hard work, and that bootstraps mentality. It’s a peek into how people back then saw the path to wealth, and Barnum’s cred as a self-made (if controversial) icon gave it weight. Modern ears might catch some flaws, though. His tips can feel simplistic—‘work hard and don’t overspend’ isn’t groundbreaking in a world of crypto and gig economies. And let’s be real: Barnum’s showbiz ethics don’t always jive with today’s focus on transparency. Still, there’s a motivational kick that’s hard to resist, especially in audio form where it feels like a personal pep rally.
How does it stack up? Think Benjamin Franklin’s *Poor Richard’s Almanack* for its practical wisdom, or *The Richest Man in Babylon* for its timeless money lessons. But Barnum’s got a pizzazz those don’t—less philosophy, more razzle-dazzle. Compared to modern personal finance gurus, it’s light on specifics but heavy on mindset, which makes the listening experience more inspirational than instructional.
So, strengths and limitations. On the plus side, it’s short, free, and surprisingly fun—perfect for a commute or a quick mental reset. Preston’s narration lifts it beyond a dusty text, and Barnum’s voice still resonates if you’re into that entrepreneurial spirit. But it’s not a masterclass in 2025 finance—debt avoidance is solid, but where’s the 401(k) talk? And some of his optimism feels naive today. If you’re after deep strategy, this isn’t it; it’s more of a historical hype track.
Who’s this for? I’d recommend it to audiobook fans who love a freebie, history buffs curious about the Gilded Age, or anyone needing a motivational nudge with a side of nostalgia. If you’re into business and economics or personal finance vibes, it’s a cool artifact to explore—just don’t expect a full toolkit.
Reflecting on it, I’m struck by how Barnum’s ideas echo in today’s creator economy. Self-promotion? Check. Skill-building? Check. It’s like he’d be all over TikTok if he were around now, hyping his next big thing. Listening to this audiobook free felt like a little digital adventure—connecting me to a past hustle mindset while I brainstorm my next BookTok series. The cultural threads from then to now? That’s the kind of storytelling shift I live for.
Until next time, keep exploring the stories that shape us—digital or otherwise!
Catch you in the next deep dive, Sophie
Sophie Bennett
