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55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Spy controversy a distraction from this excellent biography, November 26, 2006
The "Houdini was a spy" aspect of this book - so hyped in the media and debated by magic historians - is a distraction from what should be seen, first and foremost, as a major new Houdini biography loaded with fascinating new facts about the great magician's life and career.
But what of this "spy" thing? Okay. Very quickly - in 1902/3 Houdini sent "reports" from Germany and Russia back to Superintendent Melville of Scotland Yard (who was then head of what could be considered British Intelligence). Does this mean Houdini was a spy, or just a letter writer who felt compelled to report what he was seeing to his friend in London? Authors Bill Kalush and Larry Sloman do make some interesting connections back to America and the shenanigans with Houdini's passport application...but it's all very speculative. For me, this "spy revelation" is just one of many, many new nuggets of information to be found within these fascinating 560 pages...and it's not even the most interesting nugget at that.
I was much more taken with the revelation of Bess Houdini's suicide attempt; a potential third Houdini mistress (Milla Barry); the attack on Houdini's brother in his Harlem home; the Russian Royal family's Rasputian-like fascination with the magician; Montraville M. Wood's involvement in the development of the Milk Can and USD; Lord Northcliff's role in Houdini's aviation career; Houdini's private secret service formed to expose spiritualists (Houdini actually bought a barbershop and trained an agent as a barber so they could communicate incognito); and the very troubling revelation that Margery and Dr. Crandon may have had a hand in the disappearance of several young English boys (freaky stuff this).
I was also thrilled to see Kalush and Sloman incorporate breakthrough information containing in such recent studies as The Man Who Killed Houdini by Don Bell (which rewrites magic history by revealing Houdini suffered not one but TWO stomach punch attacks in his final weeks). And, last but not least, the wealth of never before seen photos contained here are wonderful!
I was surprised to see the inclusion of some stories I've always considered to be apocryphal -- the tale in which Harry, as a boy, frees a convict from a pair of handcuffs is one. But the authors promise that a complete set of source reference notes are forthcoming in a separate volume. (Already some are available online at the Conjuring Arts Research Center website.)
The last major Houdini biography was Ken Silverman's 1996 Houdini!!! The Career of Ehrich Weiss (now out of print). I still consider the Silverman book the best, most authoritative Houdini biography ever written, as well as the one that seems to best nail his complex character. But Secret Life uncovers many new facts not found in Silverman, and for the layperson it may be the more entertaining and provocative read.
It's been 10 years since Silverman and it was time someone tackled the subject of Houdini again. My congratulations to William Kalush and Larry Sloman for doing so...and succeeding so spectacularly!
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76 of 83 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinary Story! A Must Read., October 31, 2006
This is simply put a remarkable and groundbreaking historical book on Harry Houdini: world renown magician, mischievous scoundrel, and clever spy. Reading like the best of intriguing novels, authors William Kalush and Larry Sloman have created a masterpiece worthy of every person's library in `The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero'.
This is one of the finest historical prose I have ever read. I can't recommend `The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero' enough. It will be `The' gift I give during the holiday season.
Why am I doing cartwheels?
First off, the extraordinary research put into this work was incredible. The execution and presentation of the material easy to understand and intriguing on its own, yet, the more fact presented, the more material I needed to have. Additionally, by collecting what I take was nearly everything ever written or presented previously on Houdini and viewing it carefully as a whole, Kalush and Sloman actually present to the public the full picture on Harry Houdini: Master of Deception! And what a life it was!
From a humble beginning in Chicago, to entertaining the most prominent individuals in society across the globe, to clearly participating in a spy network, to in his own way, being a pre-Nadar watchdog by going after con-artists pretending to be connected to the supernatural world, Harry Houdini's life was extraordinary . . . and so to was the footprint he made on society, as evident of his acclaim 90 years later. Was Houdini murdered by a cult? What was he getting close to? What threats did he hold?
Overall, this is a brilliant book, and I tip my hat to authors William Kalush and Larry Sloman: superior storytelling readers everywhere will enjoy.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolutely marvelous book about Houdini!, December 13, 2006
There have been a slew of biographies of Houdini from Harold Kellock's 1928 book that was written "from the documents and recollections of Beatrice Houdini" to this most recent one by magic authority Bill Kalush and "Reefer Madness" author Ratso Slocum. I have read them all and can say without reservation that this is my favorite.
I understand the frustration of some readers who complain that the book contains no notes or substantiation of the facts as presented. Like the biography "Houdini, the Career of Ehrich Weiss" by Kenneth Silverman, the research was so voluminous, the notes so extensive, that they require another book to contain them. I very much look forward to this forthcoming book of notes, but, the lack of footnoting in this book doesn't bother me. What was it John Barrymore said to describe his dislike of footnotes? (He felt that footnotes got in the way of a good read). I think he said, "It's like having to run downstairs to answer the doorbell on one's wedding night."
The research that the authors did in preparation for this book was simply enormous. When the book of notes comes out, that will become clear. Still, I commiserate with readers who would like the biography and the notes to be contained in a single volume but, believe me, that would be one thick book.
There are several examples of "invented" dialogue that has bothered some Houdini authorities. I can state that even these will have some substantiation in the mountain of documents that will be contained in the next volume.
I wonder how many of the "Houdini experts" who question the veracity of this book have ever heard of the Hungarian escape artist called Hanelo? Or one named Steen? Or Rex Palmer Gordon? Well, I hadn't until I read this book and this is Culliton speaking.
Any mistakes? Well, a photo of Houdini's leading lady Ann Forrest is misidentified as Gloria Swanson which should be corrected before the paperback comes out, but, while there are other points of view on some matters discussed in the book, the authors have done their homework and there is background for their assertions.
Then there are Houdini insiders I knew about but that most of the other biographers missed: Dr. Waite, for one example. Or Montraville Wood for another. It cheered my heart when these guys picked up on them, and many, many others. Gertude Hills, John Hanauer, Ormer Locklear. . . I could go on and on.
Is the book 100% accurate? Probably not, due to its subject. As Silverman pointed out in an interview, (I'm probably paraphrasing slightly) "In most life histories there are three different versions of any event. In Houdini's life, there are at least ten." It has become every Houdini biographer's task to choose which story rings truest.
As to the book's contention that Houdini did secret work for at least two governments, I believe it, and I believe the first two passport applications Houdini made (as discussed in the book) constitute the smoking gun.
Is this book the last word on Houdini? Uh uh! No one will ever write the last word on Houdini (after all, he's Houdini) but I love this book and I unreservedly recommend it.
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