EPL Keepinitreal: Fooling Houdini

From the back rooms of New York City’s century-old magic societies to cutting-edge psychology labs; Fooling Houdini recounts Alex Stone’s quest to join the ranks of master magicians. Stone pulls back the curtain on a community shrouded in secrecy, fueled by obsession and brilliance, and organized around a single overriding need: to prove one’s worth by deceiving others. But his journey is more than a tale of tricks, gigs, and geeks. In trying to understand how expert magicians manipulate our minds to create their astonishing illusions, Stone uncovers a wealth of insight into human nature and the nature of perception. Every turn leads to questions about how the mind perceives the world and processes everyday experiences. By investigating some of the lesser-known corners of psychology, neuroscience, physics, history, and even crime, all through the lens of trickery and illusion, Stone arrives at a host of startling revelations about how the mind works—and why, sometimes, it doesn’t.

Copies will be held at the Reader's Services desk on the 2nd floor; stop by or call 847-448-8620. Please check the Keepinitreal Blog for author interviews, fun facts, and interesting videos.