Items related to Hiding the Elephant : How Magicians Invented the Impossible
Synopsis
In 1918 Harry Houdini performed a single illusion that has been hotly debated ever since: he made a live elephant disappear on stage. How did he do it? The answer lies in this dazzling tale of innovation, chicanery and keen competition that is the backstage story of the golden age of magic. Hiding the Elephant chronicles the race among history's most legendary conjurers to make things levitate and disappear. A master illusionist and captivating storyteller, Steinmeyer introduces us to the eccentric personalities behind floating ghosts, disembodied heads and vanishing ladies and takes us backstage to reveal the mechanics of their mysteries. He carries us to a time when Queen Victoria held private seances and all of England believed in magic.
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About the Author
Jim Steinmeyer has designed illusions for David Copperfield, Ricky Jay, Siegfried & Roy and Orson Welles, and for six broadway shows including The Beauty and the Beast. A consultant for a forthcoming BBC documentary on the history of magic and producer of a Channel 4 documentary, he is currently working on Richard Eyre's Mary Poppins and is a contributing editor of Magic magazine.
Review
"An extremely entertaining history of magic" * Sunday Telegraph * "Highly readable... fascinating... remarkable" * The Mail * "Steinmeyer's history of the golden age of stage magic was a dazzling read, and has given me a few ideas about how to keep the family entertained at Christmas" -- Matthew Sweet * Independent * "A highly entertaining study of magic's Golden Age" * The Times * "Highly readable ... fascinating ... A remarkable collection of strongly motivated egomaniacs and charlatans, all depicted in the boldest of colours" * Marcus Berkman *
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHeinemann
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0434013250
- ISBN 13 9780434013258
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages384
- Rating
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Hiding The Elephant
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Hiding The Elephant
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In 1918 Harry Houdini performed a single illusion that has been hotly debated ever since: he made a live elephant disappear on stage. How did he do it? The answer lies in this dazzling tale of innovation, chicanery and keen competition that is the backstage story of the golden age of magic. Hiding the Elephant chronicles the race among history's most legendary conjurers to make things levitate and disappear. A master illusionist and captivating storyteller, Steinmeyer introduces us to the eccentric personalities behind floating ghosts, disembodied heads and vanishing ladies and takes us backstage to reveal the mechanics of their mysteries. He carries us to a time when Queen Victoria held private seances and all of England believed in magic. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001277740
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Hiding The Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible
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Hiding The Elephant: How Magicians Invented The Impossible
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ISBN 13: 9780434013258
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