Ruth Brandon

The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini Ruth Brandon

Jacket Description/Flap: For many performers, stage life and real life are separate identities. For master illusionist Harry Houdini, the two were inextricably linked. In this widely acclaimed biography, Ruth Brandon shows how Houdini's obsession with his own mortality drove him to create death-defying stunts that not only captivated the public but also subdued his own raging psychological demons. As Brandon relates Houdini's methods of escape, she asks: What was he trying to escape from? Her exploration of the psychic landscape of one of the most enduringly famous performers of the twentieth century makes for utterly fascinating reading. Brandon reveals much that is new: how Houdini invented a phantom son; why he wrote long daily letters to his wife, Bess, who lived one ? oor below him; his combative relations with mediums and spiritualists, including Arthur Conan Doyle; and the ? rst full description of his fabled death. This de? nitive biography allows readers to peer into Houdini's psyche and understand him more deeply than ever before. Review Quotes: "What is it about this mother-? xated, 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 ReviewReview Quotes: "What is it about this mother-?xated, 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 ReviewMarc Notes: Originally published: 1993.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 339-343) and index.; For many performers, stage life and real life are separate identities - for master illusionist Harry Houdini, the two were inextricably linked. In this biography Ruth Brandon shows how Houdini's obsession with his own mortality drove him to perform death-defying stunts that both captivated his audience and subdued his personal demons. Review Citations:

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/2004 pg. 795 (EAN 9780812970425, Paperback)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 12/31/2008 pg. 1008 (EAN 9780812970425, Paperback)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/2013 pg. 841 (EAN 9780812970425, Paperback)

School Library Journal 05/01/1995 pg. 137 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover)

Booklist 09/15/1994 pg. 96 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Publishers Weekly 08/08/1994 pg. 408 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover)

Kirkus Reviews 08/01/1994 pg. 1038 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/1995 pg. 62 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/1995 pg. 129 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/1997 pg. 484 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/1998 pg. 775 (EAN 9780679424376, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Brandon, Ruth Ruth Brandon is a cultural historian and biographer. She has also written five detective stories and two literary novels. Brandon lives in London with her husband, art historian Philip Steadman. Contributor Bio:  Brandon Jay Brandon is the author of twelve critically acclaimed novels, including the Edgar Award-nominated "Fade the Heat. As an attorney, Brandon has practiced at the highest criminal court in Texas, the Court of Criminal Appeals. He continues to practice family and criminal law. Brandon lives in San Antonio with his wife and three children.