The Great Clivette

Renaissance Man, Artist, Magician, Acrobat, Shadowgraphist, Mindreader, and So Much More

By: Michael MacBride

Narrated by: Richard Henzel

Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Merton Clivette once dominated the 1920s and 1930s art world. He ruled the Orpheum Circuit as a magician, shadowgraphist, mindreader, and acrobat. He performed in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. Clivette worked with Houdini and PT Barnum, and he inspired Mark Twain. He taught Sir Arthur Conan Doyle how to be a medium. He went by names such as Clivette the Great, The Man in Black, The Mysterious Stranger, and many others.

Clivette led a remarkable life then, like the magician he was, he disappeared from the history books after his death in 1931. This new biography seeks to rectify that. Michael MacBride has collaborated with the Clivette Estate to reintroduce the Great Clivette to the world. Using Clivette’s journals, letters, and books he wrote during his lifetime, the new book—The Great Clivette—tells the full story of Clivette’s life for the first time using Clivette’s own voice. It is an adventure you won’t want to miss.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Michael David MacBride (P)2024 Michael David MacBride

An interesting perspective on The Great Clivette

Michael MacBride has pieced together the miraculous life and career of The Great Clivette. I always appreciate books that focus on historical accuracy. I find truth is stranger than fiction, and Clivette's life is no exception. Using multiple sources, MacBride allows the listener to hear the man explain how he became The Great Clivette - a man that knew PT Barnum, Buffalo Bill, Mark Twain, and illusionist Harry Houdini.

I must admit, I wasn't very familiar with Clivette's story, but was impressed by the many skills he demonstrated. He was man that loved to read, and it appears he taught himself many marketable abilities. The man that was born Merton Clive Cook in Wyoming, developed the skills to do magic, juggle, throw knives, performs tricks on horseback, write, and draw. Clivette ran way to join the circus, then became a sketch artist, before becoming a Vaudeville performer.

Clivette memorized audiences with a vast array on talents including his brilliant mind tricks. His touring group dazzled fans all over the world, includes stops in China, Japan, Russia, and Europe. In England, he even performed for Queen Victoria and Edward VII.

MacBride's phenomenal research allows listeners to tap into Clivette's mind, as he shares his perspectives on art, his writings, politics, family, and quirks he found with some of his fans. "The Great Clivette" is unique and entertaining! Richard Henzel provides stimulating narration.