I’m sure television has destroyed a little of the mystery of magic and as a race maybe we are too sceptical but once upon a time, back in the Victorian and Edwardian days, incredible feats were performed on stage and a great rivalry existed between the masters of the arts. This is that extraordinary story.
Reviewed by Sarah Broadhurst Sarah Broadhurst spent her early working life in the book trade in both retail and wholesale until the arrival of children forced her to look for freelance work she could do from… More reviews by Sarah Broadhurst
About Hiding The Elephant
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.
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 séances and all of England believed in magic.
'highly entertaining study of magic's 'golden age' Sunday Times
Author
About Jim Steinmeyer
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 Richrard Eyre's Mary Poppins and is a contributing editor of Magic magazine.
Buy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks.
Frequently asked questions
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?
Hiding The Elephant features in the following genres: Non-Fiction Books of the Month, Recommendations
Paperback (b Format). £9.89, down from the £10.99 cover price. In Stock.
Hiding The Elephant was written by Jim Steinmeyer and published by Arrow Books Ltd
Hiding The Elephant has 362 pages
£9.89, reduced from £10.99. In Stock.
Join Our Community
Join our community for the latest bookish news, reading recommendations, exclusive opening extracts, author events and competitions. It\'s all free. And enter a monthly draw to win a £50 Gift Card. See past winners here
