The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini

Joe Posnanski enters the colorful world of Harry Houdini and his legions of devoted fans to explore the illusionist's impact on global culture-and why his legacy endures to this day.

Nearly a century after Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926, he feels as modern and alive as ever. The name Houdini still leaps to mind whenever we witness a daring escape. The baby who frees herself from her crib? Houdini. The dog who vanishes and reappears in the neighbor's garden? Houdini. Every generatio...