Overview

An insider's tour through the strange and secretive world of magic - exploring the ancient art of deception and the mysteries of human nature Alex Stone, part of the underground magic circuit, is determined to take his lifelong hobby to the professional level, to reach the pinnacle of this bizarre world and become a master magician. Combining his passion for magic with his studies in Physics, Stone takes us on a journey through a strange and colourful subculture of brilliant characters - a blind card sharp, street-hustlers, Las Vegas showmen and world-leading scientists - as he seeks answers to the questions about the limits of perception and the psychology of deception and decision-making. By pulling back the curtain, Stone reveals the principles and history of some of the greatest tricks ever performed.

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9780099537335

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Reviews

An enthralling journey into the world of magic. Alex Stone writes with a winning voice that you'll want to follow anywhere. -- Joshua Foer, Author Of Moonwalking With Einstein Bursting with energy, inventiveness, and a sense of wonder on every page. -- Steven Leavitt, Author Of Freakonomics Fooling Houdini is a delight. He writes with wit and scientific sharpness and grand humour. He immerses us in a fascinating world few have entered. -- Buzz Bissinger, Author Of Father's Day And Friday Night Lights Mr. Stone's chequered history in magicianship sets the stage for Fooling Houdini, his cheery, inquisitive book about a world where math, physics, cognitive science and pure geeky fanaticism intersect. While it nominally describes the author's efforts to improve his sleight of hand and regain his self-respect, Fooling Houdini is more than a series of anecdotes. It's an effort to explore the colourful subculture of magic devotees and the serious, theoretical basis for the tricks they do. New York Times In Fooling Houdini, Stone recounts with humour and humility his love affair with magic and the experience it affords him... To wrtie a captivating and charming book all about magic is a hard trick to pull off, but like all good magicians, Stone makes it seem effortless. Catherine de Lange, New Scientist

An enthralling journey into the world of magic. Alex Stone writes with a winning voice that you'll want to follow anywhere. -- Joshua Foer, author of Moonwalking with Einstein Bursting with energy, inventiveness, and a sense of wonder on every page. -- Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics Fooling Houdini is a delight. He writes with wit and scientific sharpness and grand humour. He immerses us in a fascinating world few have entered. -- Buzz Bissinger, author of Father's Day and Friday Night Lights Mr. Stone's chequered history in magicianship sets the stage for Fooling Houdini, his cheery, inquisitive book about a world where math, physics, cognitive science and pure geeky fanaticism intersect. While it nominally describes the author's efforts to improve his sleight of hand and regain his self-respect, Fooling Houdini is more than a series of anecdotes. It's an effort to explore the colourful subculture of magic devotees and the serious, theoretical basis for the tricks they do. * New York Times * In Fooling Houdini, Stone recounts with humour and humility his love affair with magic and the experience it affords him... To wrtie a captivating and charming book all about magic is a hard trick to pull off, but like all good magicians, Stone makes it seem effortless. * Catherine de Lange, New Scientist *

An enthralling journey into the world of magic. Alex Stone writes with a winning voice that you'll want to follow anywhere. -- Joshua Foer, Author Of Moonwalking With Einstein Bursting with energy, inventiveness, and a sense of wonder on every page. -- Steven Levitt, Author Of Freakonomics Fooling Houdini is a delight. He writes with wit and scientific sharpness and grand humour. He immerses us in a fascinating world few have entered. -- Buzz Bissinger, Author Of Father's Day And Friday Night Lights Mr. Stone's chequered history in magicianship sets the stage for Fooling Houdini, his cheery, inquisitive book about a world where math, physics, cognitive science and pure geeky fanaticism intersect. While it nominally describes the author's efforts to improve his sleight of hand and regain his self-respect, Fooling Houdini is more than a series of anecdotes. It's an effort to explore the colourful subculture of magic devotees and the serious, theoretical basis for the tricks they do. New York Times In Fooling Houdini, Stone recounts with humour and humility his love affair with magic and the experience it affords him... To wrtie a captivating and charming book all about magic is a hard trick to pull off, but like all good magicians, Stone makes it seem effortless. Catherine de Lange, New Scientist

An enthralling journey into the world of magic. Alex Stone writes with a winning voice that you'll want to follow anywhere. -- Joshua Foer, Author Of Moonwalking With Einstein Bursting with energy, inventiveness, and a sense of wonder on every page. -- Steven Leavitt, Author Of Freakonomics This is a rare book on magic: it doesn't unmask tricks. Instead, it exposes the strange sub-culture surrounding magicians and magic and the murky realms they rub up against.This book is clever and winning - and it's well written, too...In turning our attention away from the magic and towards the magicians, Stone has pulled off an excellent trick. Sunday Times In Fooling Houdini, Stone recounts with humour and humility his love affair with magic and the experience it affords him... To wrtie a captivating and charming book all about magic is a hard trick to pull off, but like all good magicians, Stone makes it seem effortless. Catherine de Lange, New Scientist A journalist with a background in science neatly describes the tricks of the magician's trade.The book, of course, treats magic more as science than superstition, and here Stone's point is well made.A peek behind the curtain.As he shows us the limits of our logic, Stone's enthusiasm rubs off. Financial Times

Author Information

Alex Stone has written for Harper's, Discover, Science, and The Wall Street Journal. He lives in New York City.

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