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9780061766220

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This book is clever and winning--and well written, too. In turning our attention away from the magic and towards the magicians, Stone has pulled off an excellent trick. --The Sunday Times (London) The narrative is compelling because it comes veined with a very human question: What is truth? That may sound too philosophical for such a fun memoir, but when Stone invokes this question it comes across as pitch perfect. --The Boston Globe The funniest book I read all year. --Bob Schieffer The book treats magic more as science than superstition, and here Stone's point is well made. . . . As he shows us the limits of our logic, Stone's enthusiasm rubs off. --The Financial Times Part insider's look at the high-stakes world of casinos and cardsharps, part scientific examination of deception, this page-turner gives an intriguing peek behind the magician's curtain. --Discover In a memoir studded with historical factoids, charming anecdotes and a variety of behind-the-curtain insider secrets to classic magic tricks, stone serves as a winsome tour guide. . . . There's plenty of eye-opening knowledge on display. . . . Magically engrossing. --Kirkus I've always been intrigued by secret societies and artistic subcultures. Stone opens up the obsessive and hidden world of magicians with intelligence and sly humor. --Molly Ringwald, The New York Post An enthralling journey into the inner world of magic. Alex Stone writes with a winning voice that you'll want to follow anywhere. --Joshua Foer, author of Moonwalking with Einstein An affable new book. . . . What differentiates Fooling Houdini is Stone's determination to understand the science behind his craft. --The Daily Beast Alex Stone's Fooling Houdini is a delight. In the physics Ph.D program at Columbia, he drops everything to pursue the murky world of magic. He writes with wit and scientific sharpness and grand humor. He immerses us in a fascinating world few have ever entered. --Buzz Bissinger, author of Father's Day and Friday Night Lights A hilarious and illuminating memoir. . . . Less a how-to guide, and more about the bizarre-personalities, the infighting and the jaw-dropping dedication and dexterity required to be a truly great magician. --The New York Post A fascinating ramble around a subject that, Stone convincingly argues, raises all sorts of big questions about how our brains interpret the world. --Reader's Digest (UK) A cheery, inquisitive book about a world where math, physics, cognitive science and pure geeky fanaticism intersect. . . . This book is more than a series of anecdotes. It's an effort to explore the colorful subculture of magic devotees and the serious, theoretical basis for the tricks they do. --Janet Maslin, The New York Times Fooling Houdini is not only informative, but highly entertaining. Stone has pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat. --USA Today Fooling Houdini is an eye-opening, irresistible journey into the world of magic. Stone has written a masterful story that is bursting with energy, inventiveness, and a sense of wonder on every page. I couldn't put it down! --Steven Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics Fooling Houdini is a totally smart and engrossing study of one of America's most misunderstood sub-cultures, and at the same time the story of one man's quest to probe the mysteries of magic, science, and where the two meet. --John Hodgman, author of The Areas of My Expertise What I loved most about Fooling Houdini is the world it takes us into: these huddled cliques of obsessed magicians reinventing their art. . . . This book makes you want to do magic tricks, and convinces you just how hard it is to do them well. --Ira Glass, host of This American Life

An affable new book. . . . What differentiates Fooling Houdini is Stone's determination to understand the science behind his craft. -- The Daily Beast

What I loved most about Fooling Houdini is the world it takes us into: these huddled cliques of obsessed magicians reinventing their art. . . . This book makes you want to do magic tricks, and convinces you just how hard it is to do them well. --Ira Glass, host of This American Life Fooling Houdini is a totally smart and engrossing study of one of America's most misunderstood sub-cultures, and at the same time the story of one man's quest to probe the mysteries of magic, science, and where the two meet. --John Hodgman, author of The Areas of My Expertise Fooling Houdini is an eye-opening, irresistible journey into the world of magic. Stone has written a masterful story that is bursting with energy, inventiveness, and a sense of wonder on every page. I couldn't put it down! --Steven Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics A cheery, inquisitive book about a world where math, physics, cognitive science and pure geeky fanaticism intersect. . . . This book is more than a series of anecdotes. It's an effort to explore the colorful subculture of magic devotees and the serious, theoretical basis for the tricks they do. --Janet Maslin, The New York Times A hilarious and illuminating memoir. . . . Less a how-to guide, and more about the bizarre-personalities, the infighting and the jaw-dropping dedication and dexterity required to be a truly great magician. --The New York Post Alex Stone's Fooling Houdini is a delight. In the physics Ph.D program at Columbia, he drops everything to pursue the murky world of magic. He writes with wit and scientific sharpness and grand humor. He immerses us in a fascinating world few have ever entered. --Buzz Bissinger, author of Father's Day and Friday Night Lights An enthralling journey into the inner world of magic. Alex Stone writes with a winning voice that you'll want to follow anywhere. --Joshua Foer, author of Moonwalking with Einstein In a memoir studded with historical factoids, charming anecdotes and a variety of behind-the-curtain insider secrets to classic magic tricks, stone serves as a winsome tour guide. . . . There's plenty of eye-opening knowledge on display. . . . Magically engrossing. --Kirkus Part insider's look at the high-stakes world of casinos and cardsharps, part scientific examination of deception, this page-turner gives an intriguing peek behind the magician's curtain. --Discover The narrative is compelling because it comes veined with a very human question: What is truth? That may sound too philosophical for such a fun memoir, but when Stone invokes this question it comes across as pitch perfect. --The Boston Globe

Author Information

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

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