If you've ever been fascinated by the mind behind some of the most famous magic tricks we've ever known, you'll love the re-release of Houdini's Fabulous Magic by Walter B. Gibson and Morris N. Young. Being released out to the public again by Young's own children, this book is perfect for people who are fascinated by Houdini's life and the mystery behind his magic tricks.
Follow along as we celebrate the launch of this book and giveaway a copy to one of our lucky readers.
But first, here's more about Houdini's Fabulous Magic:
Incredible escapes, fantastic sleight-of-hand, Houdini's most challenging performances are dramatically portrayed in Houdini's Fabulous Magic. Walter Gibson, co-author, was in close touch with Harry Houdini for a number of years before his death, and worked with the master magician in preparing material for the book. It is with the aid of Houdini's own scrapbooks and notes that this book was written.
The spectacular highlights of Houdini's career are described and explained in this book. Included are the famous escapes: escapes from a padlocked milk can filled with water; from locked jail cells; from a water-filled Chinese torture cell while suspended upside down; from packing cases weighted under water. Again, in this book, Houdini walks through a brick wall, vanishes a 10,000-pound elephant and is buried alive. Once more, Houdini and his wife Bessie mysteriously exchange places in a locked trunk—in three seconds!
And Houdini, the man, is not ignored. His impact on the world in the early years of the twentieth century was enormous. He was a public hero who, in his own way, helped sweep out the cobwebs of nineteenth-century thinking. While doing so, he distinguished himself as a patriot, writer, collector of magic, aviator, movie idol, philanthropist, and crusader against fraudulent spiritualistic practices.
This is a technical manual for magicians, complete with illustrations and diagrams, but it is also an astute analysis of the best of Houdini's magic and a readable biography of a man who turned himself into a legend. It is a book for would-be conjurers, for professional necromancers, for those curious about the methods and means of one of the most enchanting men of the previous century.
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
ISBN-10: 0517180747
ISBN-13: 978-0517180747
ASIN: B0BH8L1LRC
Print length: 249 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0517180747
ASIN: B0BH8L1LRC
Print length: 249 pages
You can purchase a copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop. You can also add it to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Authors
Walter B. Gibson (1897-1985)
Walter, a graduate of Colgate University, was a prolific writer, including The Shadow novels under his pen name Maxwell Grant. For a time, he was Houdini's personal secretary. Following Houdini's death, the attorney for the estate permitted Walter to examine many of Houdini's private scrapbooks and notes from which Gibson wrote Houdini's Magic and Houdini's Escapes. Houdini's scrapbooks, papers and other documents form the background for Houdini's Fabulous Magic. Also a magician, Walter toured with and wrote for magicians such as Blackstone (Sr.), Thurston and Raymond. He was a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the American Society for Psychical Research, the Magician's Guild of America and the Magician's Club of London.
Morris N. Young, M.D. (1909-2002)
Morris, a graduate of M.I.T., Harvard and Columbia University was Director of Ophthalmology at Beekman Downtown Hospital in New York City. Aside from his numerous professional memberships, he was a member of the Society of American Magicians (to which Houdini had helped him join as a young man), the International Brotherhood of Magicians and a member of the Inner Circle of the Magic Circle (London). He was a founder of the Magic Collectors Association including their publication MAGICOL. Along with his wife Chesley, he established the largest private holdings on memory and mnemonics which now resides at the University of San Marino. Along with his friend John McManus, in 1955 they established the McManus-Young Collections at the Library of Congress, The University of Texas, Austin and the University of California in Berkeley. Morris' other book publications include Hobby Magic, Houdini on Magic (with Walter Gibson), Presto Prestige, Bibliography of Memory, How To Develop An Exceptional Memory (with Walter Gibson), The Complete Guide to Science Fair Competition (with John Stolzfus) and Radio Music Live (with John Stolzfus).
You can visit the website created by Morris N. Young's children, Charles C. Young and Cheryl L. Young: https://www.musicmagicandmore.com/
----- Blog Tour Calendar
February 27th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Houdini's Fabulous Magic. Follow along our tour and you'll have the chance to win a copy of the book too.
February 28th @ The Mommies Review
Join Glenda for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic. You'll also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!
March 1st @ Word Magic
Fiona will be featuring the book Houdini's Fabulous Magic on her blog.
March 6th @ One Writer's Journey
Join Sue for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 8th @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdra for her feature of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 10th @ Reading is My Remedy
Join Chelsie today for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 12th @ Joan P. Nienhus
Joan shares her thoughts about Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 15th @ One Sister's Journey
Join Lisa for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 20th @ My Beauty My Books
Join Nikki for her feature of an excerpt of Houdini's Fabulous Magic. You have the chance to win a copy of the book too!
March 23rd @ Knotty Needle
Join Judy for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 25th @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic. You also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!
March 27th @ Candid Canine
Join Chris for a review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 29th @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 30th @ Silver's Reviews
Join Elizabeth for a spotlight of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
March 31st @ The Faeries Review
Visit Lily's blog for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
April 2nd @ Jessica's Reading Room
Join Jessica for her review of Houdinis' Fabulous Magic. You'll also have a chance to win a copy of the book too!
April 2nd @ Coffee And Ink
Visit Jan's blog for her review of Houdini's Fabulous Magic.
***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****
Enter to win a copy of Houdini's Fabulous Magic by Linda and Charlie Bloom! Fill out the Rafflecopter form by March 12th at 11:59pm CT for a chance to win. We will choose a winner randomly the next day and follow up via email. Good luck!
I've always been interested in Houdini. This sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated with Houdini's story. I would love to read this authors insights that he has gleaned from Houdini's scrapbooks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating story! Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteAlways been a fan of Houdini.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteHope your winter is winding down nicely ... Spring is just around the corner!
ReplyDeleteAmazing book to learn from
ReplyDeleteMy husband has always been interested in magic, and now I am too. We would love to win. Ty
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by Houdini. This would be a great book to read.
ReplyDeleteHoudini himself is fascinating especially with his perhaps preventable death if he had sought medical attention. That entire era was a unique time as people were delving into many unusual pursuits.
ReplyDeleteWe just saw a documentary on Houdini. What an interesting life he had. Would love this book!!
ReplyDeleteBiographies are great and this one looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis is beyond amazing. I hope you had a great weekend
ReplyDelete