The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero
Search in google:
An Intimate and Riveting Portrayal of Houdini, the Man and the LegendHandcuff King. Escape Artist.International Superstar. Since his death eighty years ago, Harry Houdini has continued to captivate generations. Now, renowned magic expert William Kalush and best-selling writer Larry Sloman team up to find the man behind the myth, from the passions that drove Houdini to perform ever-more-dangerous feats to his secret life as a spy, and the pernicious plot to subvert his legacy. After years of struggling on the dime museum circuit, Harry Houdini got a break that thrust him into the spotlight -- performing for royalty and commanding vast sums. At a time when spy agencies frequently co-opted amateurs, Houdini went to London and developed a relationship with a man who would run MI-5; for the next several years, he traveled to Germany and Russia and routinely reported his findings. After World War I, Houdini set out to infiltrate and expose the seamy world of fake spirit... Library Journal Houdini as spy? Magic expert Kalush says it's true. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Foreword ixIntroduction xiThe Oath 1Starving for a Living 5The Celebrated Clairvoyants 47Quid Pro Quo 65The King of Handcuffs 77M 97Police State 109Taming the Bear 131The Challenge of the Mirror 143Leap of Faith 171Kill Thy Father 199Death Visits the Stage 215Above the Down Under 239The Emperor of Sympathy-Enlisters 259Chinese Water Torture 279Forgive 293Fighting Our Way to the Grave 311Death by Misadventure 331Art Imitates Life 349Saul Among the Prophets 375Little Sister Will Do Exactly as Big Brother Says 405Margery's Box 427My Own Secret Service 451I...Am a Fake 481An Eye for an Eye 517There is No Death 537Epilogue 551Acknowledgments 561Index 569About the Authors 592
