Monday Book Review - Fooling Houdini

It's Monday, time to shake off the weekend and begin a new work week. It's not all bad though, it's also time for this week's book recommendation. And this week it happens to be very magical.

FOOLING HOUDINI by Alex Stone

 

This week's book recommendation is a little different from previous weeks. First of all, it's not fiction. It's a memoir, and a fascinating one at that. It takes us inside the world of magic, magicians and their obsession with this rather underrated art. I'll admit, I've never been a big fan of magic. Honestly, I find magicians just a little too corny to bear. But Alex gives a fresh look inside their world from his own perspective, that of an emerging magician with an equally emerging obsession. 

What makes this book so great is its duality. First you have the story of Alex and his journey deeper into the world of magic as he attempts to master its secrets. That, in itself is a pretty good story. But, then he adds a whole new level, looking at magic through the guise of psychology, neuroscience, physics, history and crime. Magic becomes an onion, with layer after layer adding to the illusions you or I would take for granted. Instead of just being another book that reveals a magician's secrets, it elevates them to something more profound than a simple card trick.

This is one of those books that gets your brain buzzing. You'll find yourself reading passages out loud to family, friends and complete strangers, just because they're so utterly fascinating. It's a great read, one that will leave you dizzy with possibilities.

If you've already read it, or have other books you'd like to recommend, make sure to let us know in the comments section!