Items related to The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini
A reissue of Ruth Brandon's definitive biography of Houdini. When Harry Houdini died in 1926, he was one of the most famous men in the world. Having started out as a vaudeville magician, he soon began to specialise in the escapes for which his name remains a byword. In this classic biography, Ruth Brandon explains in detail the secrets of Houdini's most celebrated escapes, but more importantly she asks, 'What was Houdini really trying to escape from?' - and, searching for the answer, reveals a man far more extraordinary than any of his audience could have imagined. 'A ripping account of shamanism, celebrity and magic' Sunday Times 'Brandon paints a fascinating picture of this complicated and charismatic character, and also of turn-of-the-century America' The Times
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From the Inside Flap:
For many performers, stage life and real life are separate identities. For master illusionist Harry Houdini, the two were inextricably linked. In this widely acclaimed biography, Ruth Brandon shows how Houdini’s obsession with his own mortality drove him to create death-defying stunts that not only captivated the public but also subdued his own raging psychological demons.
As Brandon relates Houdini’s methods of escape, she asks: What was he trying to escape from? Her exploration of the psychic landscape of one of the most enduringly famous performers of the twentieth century makes for utterly fascinating reading. Brandon reveals much that is new: how Houdini invented a phantom son; why he wrote long daily letters to his wife, Bess, who lived one ?oor below him; his combative relations with mediums and spiritualists, including Arthur Conan Doyle; and the ?rst full description of his fabled death. This de?nitive biography allows readers to peer into Houdini’s psyche and understand him more deeply than ever before.
From the Back Cover:
As Brandon relates Houdini’s methods of escape, she asks: What was he trying to escape from? Her exploration of the psychic landscape of one of the most enduringly famous performers of the twentieth century makes for utterly fascinating reading. Brandon reveals much that is new: how Houdini invented a phantom son; why he wrote long daily letters to his wife, Bess, who lived one ?oor below him; his combative relations with mediums and spiritualists, including Arthur Conan Doyle; and the ?rst full description of his fabled death. This de?nitive biography allows readers to peer into Houdini’s psyche and understand him more deeply than ever before.
“What is it about this mother-fixated, death-obsessed, overly competitive insomniac...that continues to fascinate us?...What [Ruth Brandon] found was a man with a gift for self-promotion equaling that of Madonna’s.”
—USA Today
“Elegant...[Brandon reveals] the surprising charisma of the man whose name has, for more than a century, evoked wonder.”
—The Boston Globe
“Superb...Brandon is a shrewd and incisive biographer.”
—John Banville, Los Angeles Times Book Review
—USA Today
“Elegant...[Brandon reveals] the surprising charisma of the man whose name has, for more than a century, evoked wonder.”
—The Boston Globe
“Superb...Brandon is a shrewd and incisive biographer.”
—John Banville, Los Angeles Times Book Review
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- PublisherPan Books
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0330487809
- ISBN 13 9780330487801
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages400
- Rating
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780330487801
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The Life and Many Deaths Of Harry Houdini.
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ISBN 10: 0330487809
ISBN 13: 9780330487801
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Book Description ISBN 0-330-48780-9. Trade Paperback. Second Printing. Near Fine condition. Tight, bright, attractive copy with no markings to the book. Copy One. Seller Inventory # 113676
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The Life and Many Deaths Of Harry Houdini.
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Pan Books. 2001.
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0330487809
ISBN 13: 9780330487801
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Book Description ISBN 0-330-48780-9. Trade Paperback. Second Printing. Near Fine condition. Tight, bright, attractive copy with no markings to the book. Copy Two. Seller Inventory # 113677
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The Life and Many Deaths Of Harry Houdini.
Published by
Pan Books. 2001.
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0330487809
ISBN 13: 9780330487801
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Softcover
Quantity: 1
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Book Description ISBN 0-330-48780-9. Trade Paperback. Second Printing. Near Fine condition. Tight, bright, attractive copy with no markings to the book. Copy Three. Seller Inventory # 113678
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