How Houdini Changed the World of Magic and Entertainment - A Book Review
Houdini: Art and Magic book pdf
Are you fascinated by magic and illusions? Do you want to learn more about one of the most famous magicians of all time? If so, you might be interested in reading Houdini: Art and Magic, a book that explores the life and work of Harry Houdini, the legendary escape artist and entertainer. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this book, including who wrote it, what it covers, why you should read it, and how you can get it. Let's dive in!
Houdini: Art and Magic book pdf
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Who was Harry Houdini?
Harry Houdini was born as Erik Weisz in Budapest, Hungary, in 1874. He immigrated to the United States with his family when he was four years old, and grew up in Wisconsin and New York. He developed an interest in magic at a young age, inspired by a book he read about French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin. He changed his name to Harry Houdini in honor of his idol, and began performing magic tricks as a teenager.
His early life and career
Houdini started his career as a magician by performing in dime museums, circuses, vaudeville shows, and traveling carnivals. He teamed up with his brother Theo, who later became known as Hardeen, and his wife Bess, who was his assistant and partner. He specialized in card tricks, coin tricks, mind reading, and handcuff escapes. He also experimented with other forms of entertainment, such as acting, film making, aviation, and writing.
His rise to fame and stunts
Houdini became famous for his daring and spectacular stunts that involved escaping from seemingly impossible situations. Some of his most famous stunts include:
The Milk Can Escape: He locked himself inside a large metal can filled with water and escaped within minutes.
The Chinese Water Torture Cell: He was suspended upside down in a glass tank filled with water, with his ankles locked in stocks. He had to hold his breath for more than three minutes while freeing himself.
The Buried Alive Escape: He was buried in a coffin under six feet of dirt and managed to dig his way out.
The Straightjacket Escape: He was strapped in a straightjacket and hung upside down from a crane or a building. He escaped in front of large crowds of spectators.
The Bridge Jump Escape: He jumped off a bridge into a river or a lake while handcuffed or chained. He surfaced unharmed after releasing himself.
Houdini also challenged anyone who claimed to have supernatural powers or abilities to prove their claims or expose them as frauds. He debunked many mediums, spiritualists, psychics, and mystics who tried to fool people with fake séances, levitations, materializations, or telepathy. He even offered a reward of $10,000 to anyone who could demonstrate genuine paranormal phenomena under his conditions.
His legacy and influence
Houdini died in 1926 at the age of 52, after suffering from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. He was widely mourned and honored by his fans, friends, and fellow magicians. He left behind a rich legacy of books, films, artifacts, and memorabilia that document his life and work. He also inspired generations of magicians, escape artists, stunt performers, and entertainers who followed his footsteps and admired his skills. Some of the most famous examples include David Copperfield, Penn and Teller, David Blaine, Criss Angel, and Dynamo.
What is the book about?
Houdini: Art and Magic is a book that was published in 2010 by Yale University Press. It was written by Brooke Kamin Rapaport, a curator and art historian who specializes in modern and contemporary art. The book was created as a companion to an exhibition of the same name that was organized by the Jewish Museum in New York and traveled to several other museums across the United States. The book features essays by Rapaport and other experts on Houdini's life, work, and legacy, as well as more than 250 illustrations and photographs of Houdini's artifacts, posters, costumes, props, and personal items.
The author and the exhibition
Brooke Kamin Rapaport is the deputy director and Martin Friedman senior curator at the Madison Square Park Conservancy in New York. She has curated many exhibitions and written many books and articles on various topics related to modern and contemporary art. She is also a lecturer at the Yale University School of Art. She conceived the idea of creating an exhibition on Houdini as a way of exploring his artistic and cultural significance. She spent several years researching Houdini's archives, collections, and biographies, as well as interviewing his relatives, colleagues, and admirers. She also collaborated with other curators, scholars, artists, and institutions to create a comprehensive and engaging exhibition that showcases Houdini's achievements and influence.
The main themes and contents
The book is divided into four main sections that correspond to the four themes of the exhibition: Houdini the magician, Houdini the escape artist, Houdini the aviator and filmmaker, and Houdini the mythmaker. Each section contains an essay by Rapaport or another expert that provides historical and contextual information on Houdini's activities and accomplishments in each field. The essays are followed by images of Houdini's artifacts, posters, costumes, props, and personal items that illustrate his methods, techniques, and style. The book also includes a foreword by Alan Brinkley, a historian and former provost of Columbia University; an introduction by Claudia Gould, the director of the Jewish Museum; an afterword by Kenneth Silverman, a biographer of Houdini; a chronology of Houdini's life; a bibliography; an index; and acknowledgments.
The illustrations and photographs
The book contains more than 250 illustrations and photographs that depict Houdini's life and work in vivid detail. Some of the images are rare or never-before-seen photographs of Houdini performing his stunts or posing for publicity shots. Some are colorful posters that advertise his shows or challenge his rivals. Some are costumes that he wore or props that he used in his acts or films. Some are personal items that he owned or collected, such as letters, books, medals, awards, or memorabilia. The images are drawn from various sources, such as private collections, public archives, museums, libraries, or online databases. They are accompanied by captions that explain their significance or origin.
Why should you read the book?
Why should you read the book?
If you are interested in magic or illusions, you should definitely read this book because it will give you a deeper understanding of one of the most influential magicians of all time. You will learn about his amazing feats of escapology, his daring challenges to frauds and skeptics, his experiments with other forms of entertainment, and his impact on popular culture and art. You will also enjoy the stunning visuals that capture his charisma, creativity, and courage.
It's informative and entertaining
The book is not only a biography of Houdini, but also a history of magic and illusion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It provides a lot of factual information and insights on how Houdini developed his skills, techniques, and tricks, as well as how he influenced and inspired other magicians and performers. It also tells many stories and anecdotes that reveal Houdini's personality, humor, and passion. The book is written in an engaging and accessible style that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
It's inspiring and motivational
The book is also a testament to Houdini's remarkable achievements and legacy. It shows how he overcame many obstacles and challenges in his life, such as poverty, prejudice, competition, criticism, and injury. It also shows how he pursued his dreams and goals with determination, dedication, and discipline. He constantly challenged himself to improve his craft and to create new and original stunts that amazed and thrilled his audiences. He also challenged others to question their beliefs and assumptions and to seek the truth behind the illusions. The book will inspire you to follow your own passions and to strive for excellence in whatever you do.
It's a tribute and a celebration
The book is also a tribute and a celebration of Houdini's life and work. It honors his contributions to magic, entertainment, culture, and art. It also celebrates his spirit of adventure, innovation, and curiosity. It showcases his artifacts, posters, costumes, props, and personal items that reflect his style and identity. It also features contemporary artworks by various artists who were inspired by Houdini's themes and concepts. The book will make you appreciate Houdini's legacy and influence on the world.
How can you get the book?
If you are interested in getting the book Houdini: Art and Magic, you have several options to choose from. Here are some of them:
The official website and online retailers
The easiest way to get the book is to order it online from the official website of Yale University Press or from other online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can choose between a hardcover or a paperback edition, depending on your preference and budget. You can also read some reviews and ratings from other readers who have bought the book before you.
The libraries and museums
If you prefer to borrow the book instead of buying it, you can check if your local library or museum has a copy of it. The book was created as a companion to an exhibition that traveled to several museums across the United States between 2010 and 2012. Some of these museums include the Jewish Museum in New York, the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin. You can visit their websites or call them to see if they still have the book available for loan.
The alternatives and resources
If you can't get the book for some reason or if you want to learn more about Houdini after reading it, you can also check out some other alternatives and resources that are related to the book or its topic. Some of these include:
The official website of Houdini: https://www.houdini.com/. This website contains a lot of information about Houdini's life, work, legacy, museum, shop, blog, newsletter, and more.
How can you get the book?
If you are interested in getting the book Houdini: Art and Magic, you have several options to choose from. Here are some of them:
The official website and online retailers
The easiest way to get the book is to order it online from the official website of Yale University Press or from other online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can choose between a hardcover or a paperback edition, depending on your preference and budget. You can also read some reviews and ratings from other readers who have bought the book before you.
The libraries and museums
If you prefer to borrow the book instead of buying it, you can check if your local library or museum has a copy of it. The book was created as a companion to an exhibition that traveled to several museums across the United States between 2010 and 2012. Some of these museums include the Jewish Museum in New York, the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin. You can visit their websites or call them to see if they still have the book available for loan.
The alternatives and resources
If you can't get the book for some reason or if you want to learn more about Houdini after reading it, you can also check out some other alternatives and resources that are related to the book or its topic. Some of these include:
The official website of Houdini: https://www.houdini.com/. This website contains a lot of information about Houdini's life, work, legacy, museum, shop, blog, newsletter, and more.
The official website of the exhibition: https://thejewishmuseum.org/exhibitions/houdini-art-and-magic. This website contains a lot of information about the exhibition's themes, contents, images, videos, events, catalog, press, and more.
The Houdini Museum: https://www.houdinimuseum.org/. This museum is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and is dedicated to preserving and displaying Houdini's artifacts, memorabilia, and history. It also offers tours, shows, lectures, workshops, and parties.
The Houdini Historical Center: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS1538. This center is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and is part of the History Museum at the Castle. It features a permanent exhibit on Houdini's life and career in Wisconsin and beyond. It also offers educational programs and events.
The Houdini Club of Wisconsin: https://www.houdiniclubofwisconsin.com/. This club is a group of magicians and enthusiasts who share a common interest in Houdini and magic. It organizes meetings, lectures, shows, contests, and social events.
The International Brotherhood of Magicians: https://www.magician.org/. This organization is one of the largest and oldest associations of magicians in the world. It has thousands of members from over 80 countries. It publishes a monthly magazine called The Linking Ring that features articles on magic history, theory, practice, and news. It also hosts an annual convention that showcases lectures, workshops, competitions, and shows by world-class magicians.
How can you get the book?
If you are interested in getting the book Houdini: Art and Magic, you have several options to choose from. Here are some of them:
The official website and online retailers
The easiest way to get the book is to order it online from the official website of Yale University Press or from other online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can choose between a hardcover or a paperback edition, depending on your preference and budget. You can also read some reviews and ratings from other readers who have bought the book before you.
The libraries and museums
If you prefer to borrow the book instead of buying it, you can check if your local library or museum has a copy of it. The book was created as a companion to an exhibition that traveled to several museums across the United States between 2010 and 2012. Some of these museums include the Jewish Museum in New York, the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin. You can visit their websites or call them to see if they still have the book available for loan.
The alternatives and resources
If you can't get the book for some reason or if you want to learn more about Houdini after reading it, you can also check out some other alternatives and resources that are related to the book or its topic. Some of these include:
The official website of Houdini: https://www.houdini.com/. This website contains a lot of information about Houdini's life, work, legacy, museum, shop, blog, newsletter, and more.
The official website of the exhibition: https://thejewishmuseum.org/exhibitions/houdini-art-and-magic. This website contains a lot of information about the exhibition's themes, contents, images, videos, events, catalog, press, and more.
The Houdini Museum: https://www.houdinimuseum.org/. This museum is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and is dedicated to preserving and displaying Houdini's artifacts, memorabilia, and history. It also offers tours, shows, lectures, workshops, and parties.
The Houdini Historical Center: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS1538. This center is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and is part of the History Museum at the Castle. It features a permanent exhibit on Houdini's life and career in Wisconsin and beyond. It also offers educational programs and events.
The Houdini Club of Wisconsin: https://www.houdiniclubofwisconsin.com/. This club is a group of magicians and enthusiasts who share a common interest in Houdini and magic. It organizes meetings, lectures, shows, contests, and social events.
The International Brotherhood of Magicians: https://www.magician.org/. This organization is one of the largest and oldest associations of magicians in the world. It has thousands of members from over 80 countries. It publishes a monthly magazine called The Linking Ring that features articles on magic history, theory, practice, and news. It also hosts an annual convention that showcases lectures, workshops, competitions, and shows by world-class magicians.
How can you get the book?
If you are interested in getting the book Houdini: Art and Magic, you have several options to choose from. Here are some of them:
The official website and online retailers
The easiest way to get the book is to order it online from the official website of Yale University Press or from other online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can choose between a hardcover or a paperback edition, depending on your preference and budget. You can also read some reviews and ratings from other readers who have bought the book before you.
The libraries and museums
If you prefer to borrow the book instead of buying it, you can check if your local library or museum has a copy of it. The book was created as a companion to an exhibition that traveled to several museums across the United States between 2010 and 2012. Some of these museums include the Jewish Museum in New York, the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin. You can visit their websites or call them to see if they still have the book available for loan.
The alternatives and resources
If you can't get the book for some reason or if you want to learn more about Houdini after reading it, you can also check out some other alternatives and resources that are related to the book or its topic. Some of these include:
The official website of Houdini: https://www.houdini.com/. This website contains a lot of information about Houdini's life, work, legacy, museum, shop, blog, newsletter, and more.
The official website of the exhibition: https://thejewishmuseum.org/exhibitions/houdini-art-and-magic. This website contains a lot of information about the exhibition's themes, contents, images, videos, events, catalog, press, and more.
The Houdini Museum: https://www.houdinim