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Brooke Kamin Rapaport

Houdini: Art and Magic Hardcover – October 29, 2010

by Brooke Kamin Rapaport (Author)

21 ratings

3.7 on Goodreads

45 ratings

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Born Ehrich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary, Harry Houdini (1874–1926) was a rabbi’s son who became one of the 20th century’s most famous performers. His gripping theatrical presentations and heart-stopping outdoor spectacles attracted unprecedented crowds, and his talent for self-promotion and provocation captured headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Though Houdini’s work has earned him a place in the cultural pantheon, the details of his personal life and public persona are subjects of equal fascination. His success was both cause for celebration inthe Jewish community and testament to his powers of self-reinvention. In Houdini: Art and Magic, essays on the artist’s life and work are accompanied by interviews with novelist E. L. Doctorow, magician Teller (of Penn and Teller), and contemporary artists including Raymond Pettibon and Matthew Barney, documenting Houdini’s evolution and influence from the late 19th century to the present. Beautifully illustrated with a range of visual material, including Houdini’s own diaries, iconic handcuffs, and straitjacket, alongside rare period posters, prints, and photographs, this book brings Houdini—both the myth and the man—back to life.

Published in association with The Jewish Museum

Exhibition Schedule:

The Jewish Museum, New York 10/31/10–03/27/11

Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles04/27/11–08/11/11

Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco09/16/11–01/15/12

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Wisconsin02/11/12-05/13/12

Print length

280 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Yale University Press
Publication date

October 29, 2010
Dimensions

7.5 x 1 x 10.5 inches
ISBN-10

0300146841
ISBN-13

978-0300146844
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J. C. Cannell
24
Paperback
66 offers from $1.45

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A first-rate contribution to the Houdini canon.”—Jewish Book World ― Jewish Book World

"A handsome catalogue."—Vanity Fair ― Vanity Fair

"Images from the exhibition make up the bulk of this book. The materials gathered here are eye-popping promotional ephemera, family photographs, and a mountain of visual representations of Houdini. . . . Any Houdini fan must own this book, though it will also have wide-crossover appeal for those interested in topics as diverse as the Jewish experience in America to the graphic arts and historical representation. Thoughtfully written and gorgeously designed, it's the perfect introduction to the master of escapes."—W. Scott Poole, Pop Matters -- W. Scott Poole ― Pop Matters

Finalist for the 2011 National Jewish Book Awards in the Visual Arts category, sponsored by the Jewish Book Council -- National Jewish Book Awards Finalist ― Jewish Book Council

About the Author

Brooke Kamin Rapaport is a curator and writer. Alan Brinkley is the Allan Nevins Professor of History at Columbia University. Gabriel de Guzman is Neubauer Family Foundation Curatorial Assistant at The Jewish Museum. Hasia R. Diner is Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Professor of American Jewish History at New York University. Kenneth Silverman is professor emeritus at New York University.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press; First edition (October 29, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300146841
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300146844
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.3 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 1 x 10.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,316,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #593 in Magic & Illusion
- #783 in Magic Tricks
- #16,673 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

Customer Reviews:
21 ratings

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Jay Allen Eisen

One of the very best about Houdini

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 7, 2016

Verified Purchase

This book accompanied a traveling museum exhibition of Houdiniana. Top-notch in every way. Prints of exhibition pieces--photos of Houdini throughout his life, including many from private collections not previously seen publicly and not in other biographies, equipment he used, playbills of shows, etc. Main essay is very informative, although it does refer to other material occasionally with assumption that the reader's already familiar with. Includes transcripts of interviews with contemporary magicians he influenced. If you're at all interested in Houdini and why his name's still synonymous with "magician" almost a century after he died, even though there are several other biographies and histories, this is a good one to start with.

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Toby

Great book about Houdini

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is a very good book about my favorite magician from the past. It has some very nice pictures and I love the cover. I bought the book used but it looks like it's new. Love the book.

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James M

Great historical figure

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 22, 2019

Fantastic reference

A magician's dream book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 14, 2011

Verified Purchase

I started reading this book just last week and since I am a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood and give tours which include our own seance room for Harry Houdini... I love the information have have read already. If you love magic, this would be a must for your collection.

3 people found this helpful

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Aurora

Beautiful book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

Beautiful book with many photos I've never seen of him before. Well written and informative.

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Amazon Customer

houdini still king of escape artist!