The book in your hands now
Reveals
Some of David Blaines most closely guarded SECRETS. Such as
WHO IS HE?
WHERE DID HE COME FROM?
HOW DOES HE DO IT?
The reader will also
LEARN a multitude of inside SECRETS with which he or she too can mystify anyone.
THE MYSTERIOUS MR. BLAINE
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RECORDED HISTORY
WILL READ YOUR THOUGHTS THROUGH THE WRITTENWORD
A latter-day Houdini. The New York Times
The hottest name in magic. USA Today
HIS SECRETS WILL BECOME YOURS
Publishers Weekly
He was buried alive for a week in Times Square, encased in ice for three days, also in Times Square, and stood atop an 83-foot pillar in Manhattan's Bryant Park for 36 hours-and received national TV coverage for all these feats. Often touted as the new Houdini, Blaine is a consummate magician as well as endurance artist and an important force in the field for his advocacy of "street magic." In this spirited book, his first, Blaine offers readers a magical extravaganza on paper, a mix of autobiography, history of magic, how-to (do magic), interactive magic tricks and self-help advice. Blaine begins with intimations of stage magic's power, with an account of legendary 19th-century magician Robert-Houdin traveling to Algeria on orders of the French government to quell an uprising by showing that his magic was greater than that of the rebels. He ends with a knuckle-whitening account of his pillar stunt, a "dream manifesto" ("Read. Observe.... Our minds have no limits") and suggested resources including books of general interest (at the top: The Brothers Karamazov). This is a very personal volume, with Blaine's passionate, playful, opinionated, determined personality evident on nearly every page. Magic buffs will find much here that's familiar, like the recaps of magicians past and present, but even serious hobbyists will pick up tips from the tricks and explanations scattered throughout, and the final chapters, devoted to Blaine's endurance challenges, are pure gold. Copious illustrations enliven the already brisk text. Though doubling as major promo for Blaine, this is one of the most thorough and enjoyable introductions to magic in years.
