Magicians and Illusionists by Adam Woog (PDF Download)

Magicians and Illusionists (History Makers)

by Adam Woog

 

This title uses individual profiles of conjurers to trace the history of modern theatrical magic from its origins in the mid-1800s to the present day. Those profiled are: Robert-Houdin, whom many consider the father of modern magic; Alexander Herrmann, known professionally as Herrmann the Great, who developed the now-familiar "devilish" magician's persona; Kellar, the first great American-born magician; Houdini, history's most illustrious man of mystery; Jasper Maskelyne, part of a famous family of British magicians, who used his skills to create enormous illusions during World War II against the enemy; David Copperfield, the most famous living magician, whose exploits have been seen by more people than any other magician in history; and Penn & Teller, the "bad boys of magic, " who describe their subversive and darkly funny performance as "a magic show for people who hate magic."