Product DescriptionSleight-of-hand theories alone cannot explain the mysteries of "magic" as practiced by that eminent Frenchman who revolutionized the entire art, and who was finally called upon to help his government out of a difficulty--Robert-Houdin. The success of his most famousperformances hung not only on an incredible dexterity, but also on high ingenuity and moral courage, as the following pages from his "Memoirs" will prove to the reader. The story begins when the young man of twenty was laboring patiently as apprentice to a watchmaker. About the AuthorFrench author, ambassador, conjurer and a legendary master of magic, Robert-Houdin was notable for his optical illusions and mechanical devices and attributed his "magic" to natural means.