The infamous Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz) arrived in the United States from Hungary in 1878 with his mother and four brothers; joining their father in Appleton; Wisconsin; where he served as Rabbi of the Zion Reform Jewish Congregation. In his short fifty two years; Houdini achieved a level of international stardom that few have ever; or will ever; surpass. As a magician; escapologist; stunt performer; actor and film producer; he worked tirelessly to maintain his excellent physical and mental shape; and as a result he bewildered audiences with his unparalleled feats of magic. He wrote "Miracle Mongers and their Methods" to expound upon the techniques and secrets of magicians; fire-eaters; heat resisters and other masters of deception. While he was always fascinated with the magic of spiritualists and illusionists; he was careful to never reveal his own most valued secrets. This is a great book for those interested in Houdini and the predecessors of modern psychics and mentalists.
#2238283 in eBooks 2004-07-01 2004-07-01File Name: B000FC24VQ
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Straight from the InsideBy ND SeibelWritten as a study of homosexuality in the theatre; de Jongh pieces together what he feels are the pivotal gay plays of London and New York from 1925 to 1985. The survey is a pointed one as de Jongh himself admits he focuses on plays where "homosexual desire precipitates a crisis". The book moves more and more from an examination of the plays within their social and historical context to a first hand account of gay theatre history from an inside perspective. The author has been a theatre critic since 1970 and even apologizes for the shortcomings of an early review pleading "delayed innocence" - a beautiful moment for any kind of artist and a humanizing one for the critics.At times a bit academic; the book may become a difficult read for those without a vested interest in the subject matter. For those with a vested interest; the chapters are enjoyable despite the jabs the American theatre takes in the last two chapters. De Jongh easily journeys from "the deviant; the damned and the dandified" through the birth of a positive gay identity and ultimately to "the return of the outcast" during the early years of the AIDS epidemic. Difficult or not; it is a book that should be read by anyone involved in the theatre and especially those who claim a gay identity there. Dont look for lesbians though; they are unfortunately absent.Other titles of interest: Carl Millers Stages of Desire and Vito Russos The Celluloid Closet