Jewish Lives Houdini: The Elusive American

He was the greatest escape artist who ever lived. Famous for jumping handcuffed off bridges, dangling upside down in a straitjacket, and breaking out of jails all over America and Europe, Harry Houdini was a death-defying, self-liberating, American superhero. Born Erik Weisz, he was also the son of a rabbi and a Jewish immigrant who escaped his impoverished childhood thanks to talent and ferocious determination. But long after he achieved fame and fortune, Houdini continued to push the boundaries and flirt with death. In his new biography, Houdini: The Elusive American, acclaimed author Adam Begley tracks the restless magician’s wide-ranging exploits and questions not how Houdini did it, but why. Illuminating Houdini’s carefully constructed career – his advertising genius, his crusade against spiritualists, and his relationship with Arthur Conan Doyle – Begley speaks with author Margalit Fox (Conan Doyle for the Defense) about his book’s central question: What kind of man was this?

Purchase the book with your ticket in advance and save $10 off list price. Pick up your book at the front desk when you arrive on the evening of the event.

Jewish Lives is Yale’s prize winning series of interpretative biography designed to explore the many facets of Jewish identity.

Ticket Info: Without book: $15 general; $12 seniors; $10 CJH/Partner members, students. With book: $31 general; $28 seniors; $26 CJH/Partner members, students at jewishlives1.bpt.me or 800-838-3006; $18 at the door (books will be available for purchase at list price of $26 on the night of the program)