Houdini'S Box : The Art Of Escape

I love it but I don't know why...

Both the fan of magic and the psychotherapist in me read Houdini's Box ---- with our feet propped up on the back porch railing, on a September Sunday afternoon.The psychotherapist in me respects Adam Phillips' way of provoking thought without claiming any corner on "the truth." (If you like being introspective about the human psyche, this is a good one.) But mostly, the fan of magic enjoyed Phillips' take on Harry Houdini. There is little doubt that Houdini would be proud to be receiving so much attention 75 years after his death, but I think he would especially like becoming an archetype for the human condition.If your taste runs toward mixing introspection with entertainment, and if you are curious to discover what you may have in common with "the great mystifyer," the two of me definitely recommend this book.

I have always found the life of Houdini fascinating, as a boy I read everything i could find about him. This book attempts to create a psychological profile of the man by waving a magic wand over him. One has to doubt the authenticity of its sources and the wand that Phillips waves above him. Did Harry write about his feelings for prostitutes and his history of masturbation? Did his father’s failure cause Harry to desire to disappear and appear, does his escapes reflect underlying Sadistic meaning. Even if these things are true, the psychological profile it creates is extremely boring.

This book was recommended to me and I knew I'd like it; but I LOVE it. Recommend it to everyone.