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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the greatest magic history book ever!, 20 Nov 2003
This is a first glance review.
Yesterday I arrived home to find in my post-box, a book I had ordered through Amazon. Its title, Hiding the Elephant. I knew it would be a good read, because it's written by magical genius Jim Steinmeyer, The man behind so many of the impossible effects we see on television, and on stages all around the world. What I wasn't prepared for, was upon opening, finding it to be one of the greatest magical history books ever written. Its basic premise, is to give the reader an insight to the goings on behind some of the greatest Illusions and illusionists. Think of a name, and it will be there. Not just modern day wonderworkers, but truly great names from the past. for me, the highlight so far in what has been just a casual glance, is the history behind Jim's re creation of morrits vanishing donkey.The secret had been lost for 70 years, and had to be pieced together using almost Sherlock holmesian logic .
the result, something that truly mystifies. I cant wait to get home, and settle into my arm chair tonight, and wallow in stories about Paul Valladon, and the princess of Karnack illusion, Houdini and his elephant, Devant, Maskelyne, Cooke, Selbitt, Goldin, and ....the list goes on, and on.
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