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.
I cannot even elaborate on this for want of minutely detailing the pages of this book in praise. The amount of Houdini accounts that I have read do not collectively compare to the trustworthy nature that Sloman and Kalush put forth in The Secret Life of Houdini. In my personal opinion, I detect professionalism and 'thorough' research emanating from the pages of this absolutely phenomenal telling of the amazing soul/spy/illusionist/investigator/inventor. Like so many other mysterious figures of our past, Houdini is attached to a variety of misconceptions and ideas that finally obtain some justice in this book.
An alluring behind-the-scenes look is presented into Houdini's many professions, personal life, the other areas so often untouched when speaking of Houdini [i.e., personal beliefs, connections to certain people, his incredible heart, et al.], as well as a fantastic posthumous recap with Beatrice and his relatives.
This biography is one of my top five favorite pieces of literature. A sacred treasure on my shelf.
Read: Autumn 2008
Reviewed: March 29, 2010
William Kalush is a lifelong student of sleight of hand, magic and its histories. He is the founder and Executive Director of Conjuring Arts Research Center in New York City, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of magic and its allied arts. He also works closely with a number of magicians to produce stage and television shows based on historic sleight of hand techniques.
Larry "Ratso" Sloman is a New York-based author.
He serves as executive editor of National Lampoon Magazine.
Visit the following websites relevant to the authors:
...and to Houdini:
[LOVING The Phantom of the Opera score]
* PBS
*Personal literary collection.
