Listen free for 30 days

  • Houdini

  • The Elusive American
  • Written by: Adam Begley
  • Narrated by: Barry Abrams
  • Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
  • 3.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Houdini cover art

Houdini

Written by: Adam Begley
Narrated by: Barry Abrams
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.83

Buy Now for $27.83

Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

From the prize-winning Jewish Lives series, an exuberant biography of the world's greatest escape artist.

In 1916, the war in Europe having prevented a tour abroad, Harry Houdini wrote a film treatment for a rollicking motion picture. Though the movie was never made, its title, The Marvelous Adventures of Houdini: The Justly Celebrated Elusive American, provides a succinct summary of the Master Mystifier's life.

Born Erik Weisz in Budapest in 1874, Houdini grew up an impoverished Jewish immigrant in the Midwest and became world-famous thanks to talent, industry, and ferocious determination. He concealed as a matter of temperament and professional ethics the secrets of his sensational success.

Nobody knows how Houdini performed some of his dazzling, death-defying tricks, and nobody knows, finally, why he felt compelled to punish and imprison himself over and over again. Tracking the restless Houdini's wide-ranging exploits, acclaimed biographer Adam Begley tells the story of a mystifying man's astonishing career.
©2020 Adam Begley (P)2020 Tantor
Religious Entertainment & Celebrities
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Houdini

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.ca reviews

Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Langer MD

Serviceable Biography

Adam Begley mines newspaper chronicles, film/magazine records, and surviving letters written by Erick Weisz (Harry Houdini) to develop a fascinating picture of the legendary turn-of-the-century magician & showman.. and definitional "Escape Artist".
The depth of research is impressive - but the exposé is average at best. To be certain, Begley exhibits capable vocabulary/prose and reasonable documentary skills (discussing observer opinions & pointing out where there is controversy).. but his own insights are largely obscured/kept hidden (read: non-existent) and his overall tone is disappointingly lighthearted.

Contributing to the "adequate" status of the audiobook, too, is the unspectacular narration from Barry Abrams. Again.. it's not bad - just something that any professional reader could duplicate. Tantor Audio Inc. did well to hire Mr. Abrams - but didn't blow me away by any means.

Altogether, 'Houdini: The Elusive American' rates a respectable 6.5 stars out of 10. As a 'Plus' selection, it was a pleasant - if milquetoast - distraction for a couple of quiet afternoons.. and well worth a download. Should they ask for a Credit, however, better options beckon.


Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!