Final Séance

Final Séance chronicles the relationship between legendary escape artist Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. The book examines their initial friendship and eventual falling out over the contentious issue of Spiritualism in the 1920s. The narrative follows Houdini's crusade to expose fraudulent mediums and psychics, while documenting Doyle's profound belief in supernatural phenomena. At the center of their conflict lies Margery Crandon, a medium whose abilities became a focal point of debate between the two former friends. Through historical documents, letters, and contemporary accounts, author Massimo Polidoro reconstructs the investigation of Margery's powers and the complex dynamics between these three key figures. The story culminates in the aftermath of a pivotal séance that would impact all of their legacies. This examination of belief versus skepticism raises enduring questions about faith, reason, and the human desire to connect with the beyond. The book illustrates how personal convictions can both forge and fracture relationships, even between remarkable individuals.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and original documents used to examine Houdini's relationship with medium Margery Crandon. Many note the book provides historical context about spiritualism and magic during the 1920s. Common praise focuses on the neutral, factual presentation of both Houdini and Margery's perspectives without taking sides. Reviews highlight how the book explains complex séance techniques and methods in clear terms. Main criticisms mention a slow pace in early chapters and occasional repetition of information. Some readers wanted more details about Margery's life after Houdini's death. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (142 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (38 ratings) From reviews: "Provides fascinating insights into the psychology of both Houdini and Margery" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much background before getting to the main story" - Amazon reviewer "The research and primary sources make this the definitive account" - LibraryThing user

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🔮 Author Massimo Polidoro studied under James Randi, the renowned skeptic and magician, becoming one of his few official apprentices in investigating paranormal claims. 📚 The book explores the complex relationship between Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which ended dramatically over their opposing views on spiritualism. ⚜️ Houdini attended the "final séance" mentioned in the title one year after his death - his widow Bess held a rooftop ceremony on October 31, 1927, hoping to contact his spirit as they had agreed before his death. 🕯️ While Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is famous for creating the ultra-rational Sherlock Holmes, he was a devoted believer in spiritualism and spent over $1 million (in today's money) promoting supernatural beliefs. 📖 The book reveals how Houdini used his expertise as a magician to expose fraudulent mediums, often attending séances in disguise to catch spiritualists using stage magic techniques.