Houdini: Art and Magic (*UNALLOCATED*) - Tapa dura

Finalist for the 2011 National Jewish Book Awards in the Visual Arts category, sponsored by the Jewish Book Council -- National Jewish Book Awards Finalist * Jewish Book Council * "Images from the exhibition make up the bulk of this book. The materials gathered here are eye-popping promotional ephemera, family photographs, and a mountain of visual representations of Houdini. . . . Any Houdini fan must own this book, though it will also have wide-crossover appeal for those interested in topics as diverse as the Jewish experience in America to the graphic arts and historical representation. Thoughtfully written and gorgeously designed, it's the perfect introduction to the master of escapes."-W. Scott Poole, Pop Matters -- W. Scott Poole * Pop Matters * "A handsome catalogue."-Vanity Fair * Vanity Fair * "A first-rate contribution to the Houdini canon."-Jewish Book World * Jewish Book World *

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 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, documenting Houdini's evolution and influence from the late 19th century to the present. Beautifully illustrated with a range of visual material, including Houdini's own diaries, iconic handcuffs, and straitjacket, alongside rare period posters, prints, and photographs, this book brings Houdini-both the myth and the man-back to life.