“…fascinating and fast-moving biography…Ben takes care to present the story here to appeal to insiders and laymen alike.”
- The Washington Post
“A detailed and humanizing portrait of a genius and the age that hailed him as its conquering hero.”
- MAGIC Magazine
“This book is a compelling read and an example of scholarship that will likely survive as the Vernon biography. It surely ranks among the very best of magic biographies and autobiographies given us to enjoy.”
- M.U.M. Magazine
“David Ben brings this new character back from history and very much to life in his marvelous tale. Combining meticulous research, a deep understanding of the workings of magic, and broad insight into magic's artistic history, Mr. Ben turns out to have been an ideal candidate to assume the undeniably daunting task of telling magicians a story of immense importance.”
- Genii Magazine
Dai Vernon: the last great undiscovered artist of the 20th century.
His medium was magic, and with it, Vernon transformed the secretive world of conjuring into a spectacle with his virtuoso sleight-of-hand and an obsession with perfection (who doesn’t love a bit of flair?).
Born in 1894 in Ottawa (yes, that’s in Canada), Vernon made his way to New York—Manhattan, to be precise—in 1915 and never looked back. Miracles seemed to flow from his fingertips as if they were on a permanent coffee break. Where did he learn his secrets? From the underbelly of society—gamblers, hustlers, and con-men lurking in back rooms and jail cells across America. Vernon tracked them down, made pals with them, and, let’s face it, nicked their methods like a proper magician. This book is the first proper dive into Vernon's life, chronicling the first half of his incredible journey through Ottawa, Coney Island, Chicago, Manhattan, Kansas City, and Colorado Springs, meeting legends like Houdini, Billy Rose, and even Roosevelt along the way (no biggie!).
Dai Vernon: A Biography also serves up a hearty slice of 20th-century magic evolution. From the grand stages of London and Paris to the shadowy corners of magic shops where secrets were exchanged like trade cards, Vernon's life and work guide you through vaudeville, Broadway, grand magic shows, New York nightclubs, and the dawn of television. Finally, the cornerstones of the craft are laid bare for all to see (no more hiding behind the curtain!).
Pages: 370 - Hardbound with full-colour dust jacket - 6" x 9" - over 40 black and white rare photographs
