The Secrets of Houdini

by J.C. Cannell

Book Overview

World-famous illusionist, master deluder, showman: Harry Houdini was one of the most legendary figures of the modern stage, and probably the most legendary and misunderstood magician of all time. Exposing his closely kept professional secrets, and revealing in general terms the whole art of stage magic, this book is now considered the classic study of Houdini's strange deceptions. A professional magician and friend of Houdini, Cannell rationally explains...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486229130
• ISBN13: 9780486229133
• Release Date: June 1973
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Great for a fan!

The contents of the book were wonderful for anyone who is interested in the magic of Houdini. The book was shipped on time and in excellent condition!

Another one for the bookshelf

Cannell has a goldmine in between the front and the back of this book. It was informative to read on the many escapes that Houdini performed, the medium frauds that he devoted his life to busting, and other misc. tricks that it covers. I reccomend this one for your magic collection.

The best book about "how he did it". Not so about himself.

I am amazed that such a detailed and well written book came out so soon after Houdini's demise (the original text is dated 1931!), especially as it lists the inner working of dozens and dozens of tricks. They go from mentalism to table magic tricks, from seances to escapes, from large stage productions to the simplest rope trick - it would be difficult to find so much material within any contemporary book!This is a very no-nonsense book, with only two minor negative aspects. First of all, it is somewhat light on the explanations of several tricks in the ending chapter, which is devoted to general (non Houdini-specific) stage magic, and I suppose dead wrong in a couple of instances.Then, although it does not overly glamourize Houdini the magician, it is in fact very forgiving about Houdini the man. We know from many other sources that he was quite a difficult character (with himself as well with others), whereas here he comes off as a shining example of fun-loving gentleman.And no, the Chinese Torture Water Cell is not described. But that Tony Curtis movie was very incorrect about it anyhow.

What more could you ask for?

This book is excellent for anyone interested in psychics, escapology or Houdini.There are chapters on Houdini's life, details of ALL his famous escapes (except the water torture cell), chapters on tricks/rope ties you yourself could do, and chapters on his fight against fraudulent mediums.Touroughly interesting andwell written, great for all ages.