With this remarkable book, the legendary magician conducts a master
class in crime by revealing the trade secrets of crooks. Harry Houdini
is known not only as an illusionist and escaper of handcuffs and jail
cells, but also as a debunker of phony spiritualists and other
charlatans. His interest in exposing fakery led Houdini to interview
both police and criminals around the world. The result is this
captivating volume, intended to help readers avoid being victimized by
pickpockets, con artists, and other thieves.
Written with verve and humor, these lively chapters recount the
techniques of burglars, sneak thieves, shoplifters, and pickpockets as
well as those of faith healers, fortune tellers, art forgers, card
sharks, and counterfeiters. The instructive and amusing book concludes
with an autobiographical essay, in which Houdini discusses the early
days of his career and the experiences that contributed to his renown as
the Handcuff King and Prison Breaker.