Born Ehrich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary, Harry Houdini (1874–1926) was a rabbi’s son who became one of the 20th century’s most famous performers. His gripping theatrical presentations and heart-stopping outdoor spectacles attracted unprecedented crowds, and his talent for self-promotion and provocation captured headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Though Houdini’s work has earned him a place in the cultural pantheon, the details of his personal life and public persona are subjects of equal fascination. His success was both cause for celebration in the Jewish community and a testament to his powers of self-reinvention. In Houdini: Art and Magic, essays on the artist’s life and work are accompanied by interviews with novelist E. L. Doctorow, magician Teller (of Penn and Teller) and contemporary artists, including Raymond Pettibon and Matthew Barney, all documenting Houdini’s evolution and influence from the late 19th century to the present. The book is beautifully illustrated and contains a wide range of visual material, including: Houdini’s own diaries, iconic handcuffs and straitjacket, rare period posters, prints and photographs. This book brings Houdini—both the myth and the man—back to life.

Hardcover
280 pages