The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini

By: Joe Posnanski

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

Joe Posnanski enters the colorful world of Harry Houdini and his legions of devoted fans to explore the illusionist’s impact on global culture—and why his legacy endures to this day.

Nearly a century after Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926, he feels as modern and alive as ever. The name Houdini still leaps to mind whenever we witness a daring escape. The baby who frees herself from her crib? Houdini. The dog who vanishes and reappears in the neighbor’s garden? Houdini. Every generation produces new disciples of the magician, from household names in magic like David Copperfield and David Blaine to countless other followers whose lives have been transformed by the power of Houdini.

In rural Pennsylvania, a thirteen-year-old girl finds the courage to leave a violent home after learning that Houdini ran away to join the circus; she eventually becomes the first female magician to saw a man in half on television. In Australia, an eight-year-old boy with a learning impediment feels worthless until he sees an old poster of Houdini advertising “Nothing on earth can hold Houdini prisoner,” and begins his path to becoming that nation’s most popular magician. In California, an actor and Vietnam War veteran finds purpose in his life by uncovering the secrets of his hero.

But the unique phenomenon of Houdini was always more than his death-defying stunts or his ability to escape handcuffs and straitjackets. It is also about the power of imagination and self-invention. His incredible transformation from Ehrich Weiss, humble Hungarian immigrant and rabbi’s son, into the self-named Harry Houdini has won him a slice of immortality. No one has withstood the test of time quite like Houdini. Fueled by Posnanski’s personal obsession with the magician—and magic itself—The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini is a poignant odyssey of discovery, blending biography, memoir, and first-person reporting to trace Houdini’s metamorphosis into an iconic figure who has inspired millions.

Interesting book

Starts out slow, much like any book or movie then gets more interesting. However could do without The David Copperfield parts of the book, but it does add a little interest to the book but has nothing to do with Houdini. Overall the book is quite interesting. Would have liked to learn more about Houdini and his wife.

Magical

A winning combination of exceptional writing with a tantalizing story and entertaining narration. Bravo Mr. Posnanski!

Great Reader

a few of the readers on audible are superb. This Roy is one of them.

Now I know why we all still know the name Harry Houdini

I’ve read a couple of good Houdini books in the past. But Posnanski’s take is so rich in detail and nuanced in character, that I finally have a better sense of Houdini the man. Not just the legend. Brilliantly researched, beautifully written and told.

Different than expected

I expected a biography but this is much different. This is a very interesting and unique book. Great performance by the reader. It provides great insight into the legend and the man.