Houdini: Master of Illusion [Hardcover]

Clinton Cox (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Houdini was an illusionist and escape artist who drew colossal crowds and awed them. His incredible feats seemed impossible, yet no one was ever able to debunk him. How did he escape from locked jail cells? How did he emerge after diving into stormy rivers with chains locked around his body? Although Clinton Cox exposes the secrets behind many of Houdini's tricks, readers will learn it was Houdini's brilliancy, his physical dexterity, and his wild imagination that made him a true master of illusion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cox (Come All You Brave Soldiers: Blacks in the Revolutionary War) offers a forthright, anecdotal account of the life of this complex and controversial individual, born Ehrich Weiss in Budapest in 1874. Frequently drawing from Houdini's diary and correspondence, as well as period newspapers and reviews of this quintessential illusionist's performances, the author illuminates both the personal and professional sides of Houdini. After describing his subject's early years in Wisconsin, Cox discusses the genesis of Houdini's career and then tracks his peripatetic life performing legerdemain and escape feats in many countries. This chronicle strikes a welcome balance between portraying Houdini as a brazen, masterful showman and as a deep-feeling, sometimes insecure family man. Like Tom Lalicki's recent Spellbinder, Cox emphasizes Houdini's devotion to his mother (he never recovered from the shock of her death) and to Bess, his wife of 32 years and sidekick on stage (though he allegedly had an affair with Jack London's widow). Cox also discloses lesser-known aspects of the eccentric Houdini's personality (e.g., his passion for making movies and his zealous campaign to expose fraudulent spiritualists). Two photo inserts offer a peek at the magician's posters and promo shots, as well as his family. What young readers will likely find most gripping are the particulars of Houdini's spectacular stunts, including fascinating backstage revelations of how he pulled some of them off. Ages 9-14.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-A concise and highly readable biography. The chronological narrative progresses from 1874 to 1926 in a well-organized and easy-to-follow manner. Descriptions of events and personalities provide an excellent backdrop as well as a historical context. Initially known as a masterful magician, Houdini's career really took off when he began his famous acts as an escape artist. As his fame grew, so did the seemingly impossible challenges he imposed upon himself. Diving underwater in shackles, being buried alive, the Chinese Water Torture Cell, walking through brick walls, and making an elephant disappear are just a few of the stunts that he presented to the world. The pace of the book moves along at an exciting clip, while each chapter unveils a new and unthinkable episode in the showman's life. Two eight-page inserts of photographs and reproductions help to bring the figures to life. Although there is a bibliography, Cox does not use footnotes to substantiate the dialogue and feelings attributed to various individuals. Nonetheless, readers will revel in Houdini's escapades and be enthralled by the mythical stature that has made his name a household word.

Elizabeth Fernandez, Brunswick Middle School, Greenwich, CT

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590949608
• ISBN-13: 978-0590949606
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,115,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Houdini: The Greatest Magician Ever?, January 16, 2004

By 

reza (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Houdini: Master of Illusion (Hardcover)

This book is a very concise biography of Harry Houdini. The book begins at his child hood and continues to his death. This book has great descriptions of Houdini's life. It displays the ways that he completed his stunts and tricks of illusions. this book is fun to read and easy to read. Also if you enjoy magic, this is the book for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Houdini Master of illusions, November 13, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Houdini: Master of Illusion (Hardcover)

This book was the best books I have ever read! It shows how Houdini did his stunts and what happened in his life. The book started out with Houdini as a boy who wanted to be a magician. As he got older he learned how to pick locks and master locks. Then he was able to pick any lock that was thrown on his wrists. Soon he was named "Houdini King of locks." If you want to know how magicians do their tricks you should read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Harry Houdini: Man of No Fear, November 25, 2001

By 

my pen name "grandmom" (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Houdini: Master of Illusion (Hardcover)

Harry Houdini, the master of all escape artists, walked through walls, released himself from straightjackets while hanging upside down from tall buildings, jumped into rivers while bound by handcuffs and chains, and once escaped from the stomach of a large animal! Clinton Cox has done a thorough job of researching Houdini's career and personal life. He reveals an unbiased view of the unusual and often shocking feats of Houdini, also known as Erich Weiss, and his eccentricities. The book contains several photographs of Houdini performing escapes, with family members, and poster ads for his shows and movies. Reveals fascinating information about Houdini's venture into exposing spiritualist mediums as frauds. Easy-to-read for juveniles, but intriguing enough for adults.