Book Review: Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi

Houdini: The Handcuff King written by Jason Lutes and art by Nick Bertozzi

Harry Houdini is without doubt the most famous escape artist of the twentieth century. He's probably the most famous escape artist ever. He spent his life escaping from handcuffs, straight jackets, prisons, and other elaborate traps that would make a Batman villain jealous. He was also a great showman. In the early 1900s, without television or radio or the internet, entertainments had to be advertised in print media or through people shouting in the streets. Houdini used these but also did publicity stunts. This book chronicles one such publicity stunt, a May 1908 jump from Harvard Bridge in Massachusetts while handcuffed.

The book tells a lot about Houdini through this one incident. He's highly devoted to his wife Bess, who often helped out on stage. Here, she passes a lock pick when she kisses him just before he jumps off the bridge. Earlier in the day, Houdini hired a new assistant. The process included a "swearing to secrecy" that was very important for Houdini. Secrecy about his methods were key to keeping Houdini's mystique. Houdini worked hard at his craft, studying all sorts of locks and handcuffs, practicing his escapes and mastering his timing. He claimed hard work was what made him capable, implying anyone else could do it, if they had the dedication of Houdini.

Houdini's personality and ability are caught vividly in this short and entertaining graphic novel.

The book also has a bibliography, notes, and a description of the creative process, a nice bonus.

Recommended.

Book Review: Lewis & Clark by Nick Bertozzi

Lewis & Clark by Nick Bertozzi

With the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, President Thomas Jefferson wanted a survey of the new land. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were chosen to lead the expedition. This graphic novel shows the highlights and hard times of that journey. The story is a great adventure and Bertozzi makes it exciting. He gives a strong sense of the two personalities and how hard it was to cross the North American continent at the beginning of the nineteenth century. While not as entertaining as Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, this book is interesting and a good introduction to an early adventure in United States history. It did leave me wanting to read more.

Slightly recommended.

Book Review: Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey by Nick Bertozzi

Shackleton: Antarctic Odyssey by Nick Bertozzi

This graphic novel recounts Ernest Shackleton's attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He had tried a few times to make it to the South Pole but was never successful. Roald Amundsen succeeded in 1912, followed one month later by Robert Falcon Scott. Making it to the pole had already been done. To gain glory for himself and England, Shackleton conceived the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. After gathering financing, he set out in 1914 (just as World War I started). His ship, the Endurance, became trapped in the ice of Vahsel Bay, just short of landfall on Antarctica. After waiting it out for several months, it became clear they would never cut through the ice and make it to land. As the ship was slowly crushed by the ice they turned back. The journey back was hardly easier. Shackleton brought his entire crew back to civilization, an impressive feat in and of itself.

The simple black and white art tells the story quite well. The attention to detail is amazing and the story of perseverance through adversity is inspiring. The book includes a bibliography for further reading.

Recommended.