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Houdini

The Elusive American

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About this listen

From the prize-winning Jewish Lives series, an exuberant biography of the world's greatest escape artist.

In 1916, the war in Europe having prevented a tour abroad, Harry Houdini wrote a film treatment for a rollicking motion picture. Though the movie was never made, its title, The Marvelous Adventures of Houdini: The Justly Celebrated Elusive American, provides a succinct summary of the Master Mystifier's life.

Born Erik Weisz in Budapest in 1874, Houdini grew up an impoverished Jewish immigrant in the Midwest and became world-famous thanks to talent, industry, and ferocious determination. He concealed as a matter of temperament and professional ethics the secrets of his sensational success.

Nobody knows how Houdini performed some of his dazzling, death-defying tricks, and nobody knows, finally, why he felt compelled to punish and imprison himself over and over again. Tracking the restless Houdini's wide-ranging exploits, acclaimed biographer Adam Begley tells the story of a mystifying man's astonishing career.

©2020 Adam Begley (P)2020 Tantor Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Inspiring
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Great read ,very interesting and well read. Absolutely would recommend to anyone looking for a true story.

Houdini life story

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some chapters long and a little slow especially when reaching the spiritualist chapters early part best

ok

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Although this book does contain a lot of information it is not enjoyable as neither the author or narrator seem to like the subject and never miss an opportunity to mock him.

informative but not enjoyable

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