The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Polemical Exposé of Conjuring History, Stage Illusions, and Nineteenth-Century Magic RivalriesBy Harry Houdini
Length6h 18m
About this audiobook
The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin is Harry Houdini's combative revision of magical history, written to challenge the near-mythic reputation of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin as the "father of modern magic." Combining archival quotation, technical commentary, and polemical argument, Houdini contends that many celebrated innovations attributed to Robert-Houdin were borrowed from earlier conjurers. Its style is energetic, prosecutorial, and deeply informed by stagecraft, placing it within the early twentieth-century literature of theatrical exposé and professional self-definition. Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874, was not only the most famous escape artist of his age but also a tireless collector, historian, and defender of magical traditions. His reverence for the craft made him impatient with what he saw as historical distortion. Having once admired Robert-Houdin enough to adapt his stage name from him, Houdini later turned against that legacy after extensive research into nineteenth-century conjuring. This book is recommended to readers interested in magic, performance history, celebrity rivalry, and the politics of artistic reputation. It is best read not as neutral biography, but as a passionate, evidence-laden argument by a master performer asserting the deeper lineage of his art.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreBiography and Memoir
Length6 hrs 18 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 25, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6INTRODUCTION
7CHAPTER I SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF ROBERT-HOUDIN
8CHAPTER II THE ORANGE-TREE TRICK
9CHAPTER III THE WRITING AND DRAWING FIGURE
10CHAPTER IV THE PASTRY COOK OF THE PALAIS ROYAL
11CHAPTER V THE OBEDIENT CARDS—THE CABALISTIC CLOCK—THE TRAPEZE AUTOMATON The Obedient Cards.
12CHAPTER VI THE INEXHAUSTIBLE BOTTLE
13CHAPTER VII SECOND SIGHT
14CHAPTER VIII THE SUSPENSION TRICK
15CHAPTER IX THE DISAPPEARING HANDKERCHIEF
16CHAPTER X ROBERT-HOUDIN’S IGNORANCE OF MAGIC AS BETRAYED BY HIS OWN PEN
17CHAPTER XI THE NARROWNESS OF ROBERT-HOUDIN’S “MEMOIRS”
18Analysis
19Reflection
20Memorable Quotes
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