Houdini: A Mind in Chains: A Psychoanalytic Portrait by Bernard C. Meyer, M.D.

Description

This book came from the library of William V. Rauscher. His info is attached to the inside of the rear cover which has some stains. First edition (1976) hardcover with dust jacket. The dust jacket is damaged at the upper end of the spine and has a number of creases elsewhere. The internal pages (and spine) of the book are very good; clean and unmarked.

This book is a psychological profile type biology that is presented in layman’s language. Different aspects presented include: Was Houdini an insomniac? (A possible reason for hyperactive animation) – his extreme attachment to his mother and dependence on a female figure in his life. Did Bess, his wife, become a second mother to him? Also, it was more his desire to somehow contact his deceased mother that led him to expose Spiritualism frauds-that is he wanted to meet his mother from the spirit world and would take nothing less that 100% authenticity according to his own strict standards. Included in the book are the authors psychological explanations for Houdini’s drive to be number one, this secret desire to court danger to the point of self annihilation, his extreme aggression in exposing any type of fraud, his at times twisted relations with his own family members particularly his brother Dr. Leopold Weiss. As presented by the author, Houdini’s psychological makeup was his driving motivation factor-in fact a “Mind in Chains” determined to set himself free! This book is simply a work of art by a very thoughtful psychiatrist. By the way Houdini was one of the first to recognize that with electronics and the media technologies, the art of the true magician would probably disappear to be replaced with electronic influenced sleight of hands instead just sleight of hands.

Bernard C. Meyer does a masterful job of psychoanalyzing the great Houdini. A must read for any serious student of Houdini.