The Last Greatest Magician - Howard Thurston and the Battle of the American Wizards
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- čas přidán 3. 02. 2011
- Author Jim Steinmeyer offers a short history of Howard Thurston, the Last Greatest Magician in the World, and describes his rivalry with the magician of legend, Harry Houdini.
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My great-great Uncle !
At time 320 that is actually a Harry Thurston portrait. Which is Howard's brother. 🥰
That's my grandpa!!!!!
Jim Steinmeyer, your book is superb. Reading it now; my research is late 19th century melodrama and 'quirky' stuff on stage (teams of horses, elevators, circular saws). From this, reading "TLGMW" has fascinated me. I'm amazed at all the people on stage in Thurston's shows on film here. (as a kid I grew up around Ringling Bros. hanging around the tents, watching the performers practice behind the scenes, learning their little secrets). So, the whole 'big show' thing is a love of mine. Thank you, Mr. Steinmeyer for your work on your book. I'd give a lot to hear Thurston's voice!
Thurston is my favourite of the old time magicians im absolutely fascinated by his posters and was astonished to find out about this book
This biography of Thurston is one of my favorite books, but it's somewhat sad, because most of his tricks will never be performed again. Few auditoriums will allow their stages to be torn up, and their mechanisms are too elaborate and expensive.
It's like reading about the wonders of the ancient world. Most are gone forever.
What book is this please?
@@younesmohssen8158 The 2011 biography of Howard Thurston written by Jim Steinmeyer is titled, _The Last Greatest Magician In the World._ The subtitle, which mentions Harry Houdini is somewhat misleading, because the book is mostly about Howard Thurston. Even though Houdini was mainly an escape artist, most people can name only one performer from the golden age of magic, Houdini, so a book will sell more if it has Houdini’s name on it.
If you are not particularly interested in Howard Thurston, you may instead prefer Steinmeyer’s general history of stage magic, _Hiding the Elephant,_ which has an introduction by Teller.
Both books are superbly written, as Steinmeyer is a fine stylist. Both books are available in Kindle® formats for $12 each, but used paperback copies sell for $2 or $3.
Visit my CZcams channel to listen to an arrangement for clarinets of Thurston’s theme song, _Zenda Waltzes._ (The sheet music is available cheap.)
Jim! Great interview and awesome book. I read it straight through.
Thank you Jim. Great book. You are the best.
Thats my Great Great Grandfather!
Hi, I'm your long-lost cousin
Hey I'm part of you guys too
He's my great-great-grandfather I always thought he was so cool
That’s crazy yo. You still have any of his stuff?
Good too see he lived on through Gilligan's Island lol !
Just finished this terrific biography. Steinmeyer does it again!
Fine research clarifies Thurston the man and fine writing makes this book compelling. All JS's books on magic are a must! Mr. S--would you consider writing a book on Downs? I believe that his correspondance was donated to Brown University. I also heard a story or two from Jay Marshall about T Nelson Downs that piqued my interest all the more.
Jim Steinmeier is the most innovative mind in magic ever
thank you that a fear talk and honest one about devil dealers
Not to denigrate Houdini, but as far as just names go, Howard Thurston or Harry Houdini, the latter is just a more compelling and memorable name. I suspect that that alone helped Harry out quite a bit in the legacy department.
Jim Steinmeyer ROCKS! Let's have lunch.
Dale Carnegie brought me here!
I'm related to him he is my grandmas cousin
we have pics in my grandmas house
Jordan, might you/your family have still photos of the assistants helping Mr. Thurston? I'm interested in a certain family history, and that assistant was part of the Thurston company of assistants.
my grandmothers uncle, cool hu?
Than your related to me :D
Tonda Lee Anderson are you serious?
On the other hand, magic don't work in one side and that how god make it works like to many things that god has made example could be firing water that impossible because water is used to extinguish fire but wood is the right choice. Thus, spiritual creatures can't work without the magician work but cutting off the side that god granted us, we end the bad act of many wizards who always say that they only do good while in hidden areas do bad
0:25 And then he truned his back on all that and became an active aid to the local police to catch...
OOoops.. wrong guy...
Heh. Neh. Thurston was awesome. No doubt.
2:54 Hopefully not as in Thurston = Tesla & Houdini = Edison
3:23 Heh, so Houdini was an Escape Artist ? Wow.
5:17 Judging from the facts: Thurston
It's almost that houdini saved the american economy, so sad how he lost his life to a couple of smart arses !