The amazing story of the Great Houdini who could walk through a brick wall, make an elephant disappear from the stage of the New York Hippodrome, escape from the most intricately locked handcuffs, prison cells, bank vaults or fetters ever devised by man. This fascinating story also tells some of Houdini's secrets and how some of his tricks were done.

Houdini's boyhood was one of poverty and hardship and his early struggles touring third rate vaudeville circuits, first with his brother and then with his young wife, would have daunted a less determined spirit.

When success came to Houdini it was spectacular and for twenty-five years his name appeared in headlines all over the world. Wherever he performed, he challenged all comers including the police of the city, to lock him in their most impregnable prisons. Scotland yard could not hold him; nor the Federal Prison in Washington where President Garfield's assassin was held.

Houdini was an expert showman, flamboyant, egotistical, a genius at publicity. His career was spectacular and he was the envy of everyone in the profession. His story parallels the rise of vaudeville, but unlike many stars of that great era of entertainment, his name will never be forgotten for it still remains a household word and no one today would challenge the fact that he was and remains the greatest escape artist of all time.

From the dust jacket