Houdini: The Man Who Walked Through Walls. Illustrated

William Lindsay Gresham

• Publisher: Andrii Ponomarenko
• eBook ISBN:
  9786178488185
• Edition: 0

Houdini: The Man Who Walked Through Walls by William Lindsay Gresham is a captivating biography of the legendary magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. Gresham paints a vivid and intimate portrait of Houdini, tracing his journey from humble beginnings as Erik Weisz, a Hungarian immigrant, to becoming one of the most famous and enigmatic performers in the world. The book explores Houdini's extraordinary feats of escape, his relentless pursuit of fame, and his obsession with debunking spiritualists and exposing frauds. Gresham delves into Houdini's personal life, revealing his deep-seated insecurities, complex relationships, and unyielding ambition. With rich historical detail and insight into the world of illusion and magic, the biography uncovers both the public and private sides of Houdini's persona. More than just a chronicle of Houdini's life, Houdini: The Man Who Walked Through Walls is a fascinating exploration of the human desire for freedom and control, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the life of one of the greatest showmen in history.

Table of contents

• AUTHOR’S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• PROLOGUE—THE SHAKING TENT
• 1. DISCOVERY BY GASLIGHT
• 2. THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS
• 3. THE BROTHERS HOUDINI
• 4. MAGIC ISLAND
• 5. A CROWDED HOUSE
• 6. A BRACE OF TURKEYS
• 7. HOW BROKE CAN AN ACT GET?
• 8. THE BECKONING GHOSTS
• 9. JAIL BREAK
• 10. IN HANDCUFFS AND CHAINS
• 11. THE WAY TO GET DOUGH IS TO ASK FOR IT
• 12. YOUNG SAMSON
• 13. UNDERWATER
• 14. IN THE NAME OF THE KAISER
• 15. THE IMPREGNABLE BOX
• 16. GRAVE MATTERS AND AN IMPATIENT THRONG
• 17. THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY
• 18. THE BIG TIME AT LAST
• 19. JAIL CELLS AND AN ICY RIVER
• 20. CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE
• 21. THE MIRACULOUS MILK CAN
• 22. QUICK STUDY CONNOISSEUR
• 23. THE AERONAUT
• 24. SHOWER OF GOLD
• 25. DARKNESS AND THE DEEP
• 26. THROUGH A BRICK WALL
• 27. ELEPHANTS AND EAGLES
• 28. A GRIM GAME
• 29. THE KNIGHT’S TALE
• 30. MOVIE STAR OR BUST
• 31. “SPOOKS-A NO COME!”
• 32. THE BLOND WITCH OF BOSTON
• 33. DREAMS COME TRUE
• 34. SPOILED EGYPTIAN
• 35. THE FINAL CHALLENGE
• EPILOGUE—TELEGRAM FROM HEAVEN
• OPINIONATED BIBLIOGRAPHY