Review: Fooling Houdini by Alex Stone
Title: Fooling Houdini: Magicians, Mentalists, Math Geeks & the Hidden Powers of the Mind
Author: Stone, Alex
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Science
Publisher / Year: Harper / 2012
Source: From the publisher for review.
Rating: 3.5/5
Why I Read It: It wasn’t on my radar, I admit, until I met the author at Book Expo America. It turns out card tricks will make me want to read a book – who knew.
Date Read: 20/07/12
How exactly does magic work? Stone, a physicist and magician, has written this book as part memoir and part examination of magic itself, and the science behind it. He starts with his trip to compete in the Magic Olympics, where he realizes he has much to learn. The rest of the book chronicles his efforts to learn more and perfect his skills. Throughout, he discusses as well various facts about human nature and the ways in which our brains work with magic.
Stone shares some of the secrets behind why magic tricks us. While talking about secrecy in magic he explains that he believes sharing tricks doesn’t lessen their abilities. Just because you that there are gaps in our perception which allow us to be fooled doesn’t lessen the impact of the trick, he says. While many magicians hold this as true, there are others who are angered by someone sharing their tricks, which is also understandable because it is sometimes a part of their livelihood. My favourite part of the book were the discussions on perception, the brain, science, and how magic interacts with all.
My one complaint with the book is with Stone’s style. While many like the narrative flow, I tend to get nervous around memoirs that discuss others in much detail, as regular readers know. I can’t help but wonder what those people think of the ways in which they are discussed. In this book Stone writes with a large dose of self-deprecating humour, which works. What didn’t work for me were the ways in which other characters throughout were introduced. The physical descriptions always led and rarely did anyone get a truly flattering look – it felt like Stone was whispering behind their back to the reader.
All in all, a really interesting read. I always enjoy reading and learning more about the way human nature and the brain work in relation to events we encounter. This was a great example of such reading. Recommended for those who enjoy memoirs, science, and / or magic.
I had never thought about that particular habit of narrative nonfiction ( the way that authors describe others) and can see that as a reader of straight nonfiction, that might take some of the pleasure out of the book for you. As a lover of narrative non-fiction, I had never thought of it that way before, but now I will be curious to see what happens the next time I get myself into a work of narrative nonfiction.
That being said, magic fascinates me, and even if it is just a trick of the mind, I wouldn’t mind knowing how some of it’s done!
It is definitely just something that is different for me, and takes some getting used to. I think you’d really like the book zibilee, it’s full of pretty neat stuff.
It’s fascinating what will make us want to read a particular book. I try to be open to various influences so that I don’t get stuck in the rut of always reading what I always read
Yes, always a good thing to do I think Debbie!
I’ve been wanting to read this since I saw him doing those card tricks too.
It’s impossible not to get sucked into the tricks isn’t it Kathy? Worth a read for sure.
I must admit I am so used to fiction that I’ve never considered how nonfic authors describe other people. Interesting idea….
Yes I wonder if I read more fiction, if it would bother me less? Hmm… interesting idea Trish!
So many books on my shelf are there simply because I saw the author speak. I get all excited, and bring them home, and then they sit. And wait. And wait…
Heh those poor books Softdrink! I have that same issue though. In fact, a few of them are staring at me now… (the books, not the authors. That would be creepy.)
I love that you’re all down with nonfiction Amy
I just saw/heard of this book somewhere else. I can’t for the life of me remember where though…ugh. Sounds like an interesting read.
I’m following you on Twitter but I couldn’t seem to hook up with you on Facebook. This is me: https://www.facebook.com/TheRelentlessReader
Thanks for the link! I don’t have a specific blog facebook, just my personal one. One of these days perhaps… just seems like more work to maintain though
This one has been talked about a lot lately – Kim had a glowing review of it too! Definitely a fun read.
This sounds like a very interesting book. Having read a fair amount of recent history involving people who are still alive I guess I am aware that often writers really bring on a lot of acrimony when they describe the actions of people who are still alive. It is understandable, I can only imagine how I might feel if I was described in someone else’s book!
Sounds like you might like this one then Brian. I always have the same fear. What if I were mentioned in a book? eeck!