Items related to The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini
More than 60 years after his death, the deeds of the escapologist Harry Houdini still inspire imitators and ad-men. The common perception of Houdini is of a small man, manacled, jumping off a bridge into icy water, suspended from a skyscraper or emerging from a sealed coffin. His tricks were very clever and effective, but the author of this book argues that the man himself was far more interesting than the tricks. The book examines the phenomenon of fame - what it is that compels a man to perform acts of near-suicidal bravado to gain public acclaim, and what it is that draws vast crowds of people to watch. It considers the nature of a man whom the author believes was probably sexually repressed, and yet performed almost naked, draped in chains and manacles, who wrote love letters to his wife five times a day, and who struggled obsessively for years to prove or disprove the existence of life after death. Ruth Brandon argues that it is in his death that the key to Houdini's life and success is to be found. She claims that, more complex than just a small man triumphing against the odds, his escapes can be read as a drama of death and resurrection. Brandon's other books include "The New Women and the Old Men" and an autobiography of Sarah Berhardt, "Being Divine".
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Review:
"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
Book Description:
--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
'Brandon has chosen a fascinating subject and written a book that rises to it superbly . . . A compelling account of a peculiar life' Sunday Times
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- PublisherMandarin
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 0749318821
- ISBN 13 9780749318826
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages365
- Rating
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini 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 # 7719-9780749318826
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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 # 6545-9780749318826
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002054938
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The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini.
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Mandarin, London
(1994)
ISBN 10: 0749318821
ISBN 13: 9780749318826
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Book Description Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. First Trade Edition. 338pp, index, bibliography, notes, bw ills. Or card covers. Front cover creased, page edges/margins toned/foxed. The story of the most acclaimed escapologist of all time. Size: 8vo. Seller Inventory # 024462
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Shows only minor signs of wear, and very minimal markings inside (if any). 0.62. Seller Inventory # 353-0749318821-vrg
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