Houdini Art and magic

One can find dozens of books on Harry Houdini (1874-1926), the best-known magician/escape artist in the public imagination, among them Kenneth Silverman's definitive biography Houdini!!! (CH, Mar'97, 34-3776) and William Kalush and Larry Sloman's The Secret Life of Houdini (2006). In the present handsomely produced volume--which is neither a biography nor a traditional study of the stage magician--Rapaport and her fellow contributors focus on Houdini's place in history, his relationship to the art world (specifically artists and artworks inspired by his career), and his Jewish background and immigrant status. Though the book stands on its own, it was produced as a companion to an exhibit (curated by Rapaport) originating at New York's Jewish Museum in October 2010. The illustrations are magnificent, and excellent essays include those by Rapaport (on Houdini's evolution as an American icon), historian Alan Brinkley (on the immigrant context of Houdini's life), Kenneth Silverman (on Houdini's Jewish background), and Jewish historian Hasia Diner (on Houdini's wife, Bess). A chronology, a section on Houdini's illusions and magic apparatus, and interviews with artists, literary figures, and contemporary magicians complete the volume, which will be a welcome resource for those interested in performance art and Houdini in particular. Summing Up; Highly recommended. All readers. D. B. Wilmeth emeritus, Brown University

This volume, published in association with The Jewish Museum, is a companion to a major exhibition of Harry Houdini's life and work that will be touring museums around the United States in 2011 after its current stop in New York. Rapaport, the show's curator, delves into Houdini's astonishing career as a magician and celebrity as well as his life growing up as a rabbi's son in the late 1800s in an atmosphere of anti-Semitism. There are gorgeous color photographs documenting his life, his work, and his influence on other artists such as Andy Warhol, Matthew Barney, and Edward Hopper. The book even provides details on many of Houdini's most famous tricks such as the metamorphosis trunk and the straitjacket. This engrossing look also features essays by Houdini experts across several disciplines.VERDICT Highly recommended for readers interested in celebrity biographies, Harry Houdini, performing arts, magicians, magic tricks, escape artists, Jewish celebrities, and biographies.-Sally Bryant, Pepperdine Univ. Lib., Malibu, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.