The Secret Life of Houdini - The Making of America's First Superhero By William Kalush and Harry Sloman 1st Edition

The Secret Life of Houdini - The Making of America's First Superhero By William Kalush and Harry Sloman 1st Edition

Pre- Owned Hardback Magic Book

Good Condition - Slight Shelf wear - Please see photos for condition

Product Description

Using exclusive access to newly uncovered archives, Kalush and Sloman reveal
the clandestine agreements in which the British and Americans recruited Houdini
to be an active secret agent. In exchange for his cooperation, the governments
of these two countries facilitated his rise to the top of the world stage. The
authors give thrilling accounts of his assignments, such as his participation
in early aerial surveillance and his use of his own magic magazine to
communicate espionage-related information. After the war, Houdini embarked upon
what became his most dangerous mission when he took on the Spiritualist
movement. Convinced that Spiritualist mediums were frauds, he became obsessed
with exposing them. But the Spiritualists were a powerful adversary. An organized
network of fanatics, led by Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, worked
relentlessly to orchestrate a campaign that would silence Houdini forever.
Grounded in solid research, but as exciting and dramatic as a good thriller,
THE SECRET LIFE OF HOUDINI traces the magician's long and circuitous route from
struggling vaudevillian to worldwide legend.

Review

"Kalush and Sloman appear to have raked through every known Houdini
archive to produce the most comprehensive and controversial biography ever
written about the man, with its contention that he was a spy who may have been
murdered by a cult."-- Tony Barrell, "London Sunday Times"

Synopsis

Using exclusive access to newly uncovered archives, Kalush and Sloman reveal
the clandestine agreements in which the British and Americans recruited Houdini
to be an active secret agent. In exchange for his cooperation, the governments
of these two countries facilitated his rise to the top of the world stage. The
authors give thrilling accounts of his assignments, such as his participation
in early aerial surveillance and his use of his own magic magazine to
communicate espionage-related information. After the war, Houdini embarked upon
what became his most dangerous mission when he took on the Spiritualist movement.
Convinced that Spiritualist mediums were frauds, he became obsessed with
exposing them. But the Spiritualists were a powerful adversary. An organized
network of fanatics, led by Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, worked
relentlessly to orchestrate a campaign that would silence Houdini forever.
Grounded in solid research, but as exciting and dramatic as a good thriller,
THE SECRET LIFE OF HOUDINI traces the magician's long and circuitous route from
struggling vaudevillian to worldwide legend.

About the Author

William Kalush is one of the most respected names in the world of magic.
Founder of the Conjuring Arts Research Centre, he has collaborated with David
Blaine on the magician's world-famous stunts and television specials. Larry
'Ratso' Sloman is an award-winning author best known for his collaboration with
Howard Stern on PRIVATE PARTS and MISS AMERICA.