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The Houdini Code Mystery: A Spirit Secret Solved
by William V. Rauscher
Published 2000
Lance Burton
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This book concerns the drama and mystery surrounding a code left by Houdini
and supposedly known only by him and his wife Bess. He promised that after his
death, if possible, he would communicate from beyond the grave. His wife would
then affirm the communication if the prearranged words were correct in respect
to the code.
The code was used by the Houdini's in the early days of their act. Although
the story of the code along with Houdini and Bess has been portrayed in films,
written of in books and debated by magicians and researchers for years since Houdini's
death in 1926, Rauscher is the only one to reveal the answer and solve the riddle.
The author adds to this puzzling array of many characters his first hand knowledge
of the famous medium, Arthur Ford who was credited with receiving the message
from Houdini and affirmed in a sworn document by Mrs. Houdini. Rauscher's friendship
with Ford, his work on Fords biography, The Man Who Talked With The Dead, places
him in a unique position to finally reveal the truth behind one of the 20th century's
greatest mysteries...Do the Spirits Return?
In addition to the Houdini Code, Rauscher presents an in depth overview of
the personality of Houdini and how he became an American icon. He has painted
a unique, perceptive word portrait of Houdini quoting numerous great magicians
of his era who speak candidly of the master escape artist. The book is a kaleidoscope
of unusual and colorful characters.
This volumn is 192 pages, 7 x 10 inches and contains 60 photographs, printed
endsheets, tipped-in frontispiece, with a dustjacket. The publication is limited
to 1,000 numbered copies @ $45. Published by: Mike Caveney's Magic Words 572 Prospect
Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103 Phone 626 449 4155 Fax 626 449 8025
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Review comments:
"This book contains the most complete, accurate and
courageous description of the way magicians and laypeople during his lifetime
regarded Houdini & status stripped of the layer of present day myths added by
persons who never saw him work or were even born when he lived."
John Booth - Prolific Author, Scholar, Magic Historian,
Performer and Lecturer
"This is not a book about Houdini. Rather it is about
the creation of the Houdini myth, and in particular, the one event that Rauscher
argues brought Houdini's name back to the forefront of public consciousness with
such force that it magnified his reputation far beyond the bounds of historical
achievement. This event was the claim by spiritualist medium Arthur Ford that
the deceased Houdini had given him a message for Houdini's widow, a message that
she publicly accepted as genuine...noted bookman, collector and scholar George
Daily told me he feels that this is Rauscher's finest book to date."
Richard Hatch of H&R Books
"You may be thinking, 'Who needs another book on Houdini?'
Well, I found this book fascinating and read through it in but two sittings. It
may well be the most straight-talking, honest book about Houdini the man written
to date."
Phil Willmarth, Editor of The Linking Ring, Official
monthly publication of The International Brotherhood of Magicians
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