Modern Day Houdini: Secrets of the Worlds Number One Escape Artist - Secrets of the Worlds Number One Escape Artist (Paperback, illustrated edition)


For 30 years people have been calling Bill Shirk "crazy."
It doesn't seem fair. Just because he has buried himself alive 10 times, hung 1,600 feet from a helicopter in a straitjacket by an ice skate, run with the bulls in Pamplona (while in a straitjacket), and jumped off numerous bridges and cliffs.
He's been on 15 national TV shows; garned eight escape world records (including fastest time to get out of a straitjacket; highest escape from a straitjacket; and fastest jail escape), and laid claim to the title, world's greatest escape artist.
Everyone is fascinated by magic, and the mystique of Houdini-like performances have an even greater allure. How did he do that? Why did he do it? Now, for the first time, Bill Shirk reveals how he has done some of his greatest escapes. Some he stole from the great Harry Houdini (his hero), others he created himself. Each one different, each more spectacular and heart-pounding than the last. In an easy-to-read format supplemented by photographs of the event, Shirk gives the background to each escape, then details the method he used to accomplish each feat.
Learn how Shirk stuck his head in a bag with a hot rattlesnake; was run over by a train; or hung by an ice skate from a helicopter as he wiggled out of a straitjacket. Read how he survived being buried alive for three days with a python and a timber rattlesnake, and how he escaped from a jail while chained and handcuffed. See what happened when 10 tons of wet cement fell on top of him. How about hanging from a burning rope over a shark-infested pool? There are more examples. Lots more.
Of course, just because Shirk tells you how to get out of a straitjacket in four seconds doesn't mean you'll be able to do it. Once you know how to put your head in a bag with a rattlesnake, you'd rightly be crazy to try it. Leave it to the experts. As Shirk says, "If I was really crazy, I'd be dead."

R332
List Price R403
Save R71 18%

Or split into 4x interest-free payments of 25% on orders over R50
Learn more

Discovery Miles3320
Delivery AdviceOut of stock

Toggle WishListAdd to wish list
Review this Item

Product Description

For 30 years people have been calling Bill Shirk "crazy."
It doesn't seem fair. Just because he has buried himself alive 10 times, hung 1,600 feet from a helicopter in a straitjacket by an ice skate, run with the bulls in Pamplona (while in a straitjacket), and jumped off numerous bridges and cliffs.
He's been on 15 national TV shows; garned eight escape world records (including fastest time to get out of a straitjacket; highest escape from a straitjacket; and fastest jail escape), and laid claim to the title, world's greatest escape artist.
Everyone is fascinated by magic, and the mystique of Houdini-like performances have an even greater allure. How did he do that? Why did he do it? Now, for the first time, Bill Shirk reveals how he has done some of his greatest escapes. Some he stole from the great Harry Houdini (his hero), others he created himself. Each one different, each more spectacular and heart-pounding than the last. In an easy-to-read format supplemented by photographs of the event, Shirk gives the background to each escape, then details the method he used to accomplish each feat.
Learn how Shirk stuck his head in a bag with a hot rattlesnake; was run over by a train; or hung by an ice skate from a helicopter as he wiggled out of a straitjacket. Read how he survived being buried alive for three days with a python and a timber rattlesnake, and how he escaped from a jail while chained and handcuffed. See what happened when 10 tons of wet cement fell on top of him. How about hanging from a burning rope over a shark-infested pool? There are more examples. Lots more.
Of course, just because Shirk tells you how to get out of a straitjacket in four seconds doesn't mean you'll be able to do it. Once you know how to put your head in a bag with a rattlesnake, you'd rightly be crazy to try it. Leave it to the experts. As Shirk says, "If I was really crazy, I'd be dead."

Customer Reviews

No reviews or ratings yet - be the first to create one!

Product Details

General

Imprint

The Lyons Press

Country of origin

United States

Release date

October 2003

Availability

Supplier out of stock. If you add this item to your wish list we will let you know when it becomes available.

Authors

Dimensions

248 x 171 x 13mm (L x W x T)

Format

Paperback

Pages

175

Edition

illustrated edition

ISBN-13

978-1-59228-196-1

Barcode

9781592281961

Categories

LSN

1-59228-196-6



Trending On Loot