Few stars of the entertainment world so combined the qualities of fascination, charisma, and mystery as did the great Houdini. While other authors have described what this master escapologist did and how he did it, Meyer is the first to explain why he did it. Drawing together excerpts from the diaries, books, and screen plays Houdini wrote, and from other biographical sources, Meyer provides a glimpse into the mind of Houdini that is every bit as fascinating as the incredible feats Houdini himself once performed.