Fooling Houdini: Adventures in the World of Magic – Alex Stone

Fooling Houdini: Adventures in the World of Magic – Alex Stone

Fooling Houdini is a fascinating blend of science, psychology, and sleight of hand—an insider’s journey through the mysterious and obsessive world of modern magic. Written by Alex Stone, a PhD candidate in physics at Columbia University and an underground magician, this acclaimed memoir pulls back the curtain on the hidden world where illusion meets intellect.

After a humiliating disqualification at the Magic Olympics, Stone embarks on a quest to transform from hobbyist to master magician. Along the way, he explores the subculture of magic through its brilliant, eccentric, and secretive members—blind card sharps, con artists, Las Vegas headliners, and world champions. The result is part exposé, part scientific exploration, and part coming-of-age story within one of the world’s most enigmatic art forms.

Inside the Book

• Behind-the-scenes access: Journey into the underground world of magicians, mentalists, and hustlers.
• Science meets sleight of hand: Discover how psychology, physics, and cognitive science reveal the secrets of deception.
• The Magic Olympics: Experience the competitive and obsessive drive to fool the best minds in magic.
• History and theory: Learn about the evolution of illusion, from Houdini to today’s innovators.
• Personal transformation: Follow Stone’s pursuit of mastery and meaning within the art of deception.

About the Author

Alex Stone is a writer, performer, and physicist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper’s, Discover, and Science. A lifelong student of magic, he bridges the gap between science and illusion, revealing how magicians exploit the quirks of human perception to shape reality itself.

Product Details

• Title: Fooling Houdini: Adventures in the World of Magic
• Author: Alex Stone
• Format: Paperback
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Category: Magic, Science, Memoir
• Genre: Non-fiction / Popular Science / Performing Arts

Fooling Houdini reveals the hidden overlap between science and sleight of hand, offering an unforgettable look at what it means to chase mastery—and to be fooled by wonder.