Hiding The Elephant by Jim Steinmeyer

Details: Jim Steinmeyer’s 2003 book is a journey thorough the rich history of magicians, their creations and their quest for the impossible. Starting with Houdini’s famous and infamous illusion of making an elephant disappear, Jim traces the various inventions in “optical conjuring,” from Pepper’s Ghost to Tobin’s Proteus Cabinet and the famous wonders at Egyptian Hall. The book discusses the creative masters of the art, including David Devant, Charles Morritt and Guy Jarrett. The book has received rave reviews. Publisher’s Weekly called it “a find.” Magician Teller, of Penn and Teller, reviewed it in the New York Times and called it “a loving celebration,” concluding that “no author has ever better conveyed magic’s joys, terrors and longings.” Published by Carroll and Graf. 351 pages, plus index, 8 pages of photos, author’s diagrams and magicians’ portraits by William Stout.

Contents:(Chapters only)

vii List of Illustrations
x Cast of Characters
xiv Foreword by Teller
xvii Introduction

1 Chapter 1 Overture
19 Chapter 2. The Ghost
45 Chapter 3 A New Type of Magic
71 Chapter 4 The Formula for Invisibility
91 Chapter 5 The Chief
115 Chapter 6 Two Wizards
137 Chapter 7 Father and Son
159 Chapter 8 Stealing Secrets
177 Chapter 9 Special Effects
197 Chapter 10 Magic Words
219 Chapter 11 Solomon
239 Chapter 12 Houdini
257 Chapter 13 Jennie
275 Chapter 14 Sensations
297 Chapter 15 Keeping Secrets
317 Chapter 16 Encore
333 Acknowledgments and Notes
353 Index

• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers
• Pages: 362
• Location: New York, USA
• Dimensions: 6″x9″
• Date: 2003
• Binding: hardbound

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