mikezad's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting read and probably one of the better biographies I've read. I really enjoy books like this, in the sense that they explore very niche topics that I otherwise would have had no knowledge of. The book provides an entertaining narrative around Robinson's life as a magician's assistant in the United States, and his double life as the faux Chinese magician Chung Ling Soo in Europe. Moreover, the author did a very good job showcasing and explaining this shift in Robinson's life.
On top of the biographical aspects, the book gave a solid overview of the history and development of stage magic in the Edwardian/Victorian era and introduced me to notable figures from the era. I'd read biographies on several other persons introduced in the book such as Hermann the Great, the Great Lafayette, and Harry Houdini.
As an aside, there were notable racial implications present in the book. For example, the obvious fact that Robinson built his career around a western characterization of a Chinese mystic (and discredited an actual Chinese stage magician in the process) helped drive home the sense of racial ignorance at the time. Robinson's success as Chung Ling Soo in part speaks to his encyclopedic knowledge of stage magic and his ability as a performer, but also to the sheer lack of knowledge of the general public. As often mentioned in the book, the audience was there to see miracles- whether or not they were presented by a genuine Chinese magician, or an American pretending to be a Chinese magician.
Overall a great read and I would recommend this to anyone interested in magic or someone looking to read about a niche historical oddity. Steinmeyer has several other books related to the history of stage magic that I'd like to read at some point.
On top of the biographical aspects, the book gave a solid overview of the history and development of stage magic in the Edwardian/Victorian era and introduced me to notable figures from the era. I'd read biographies on several other persons introduced in the book such as Hermann the Great, the Great Lafayette, and Harry Houdini.
As an aside, there were notable racial implications present in the book. For example, the obvious fact that Robinson built his career around a western characterization of a Chinese mystic (and discredited an actual Chinese stage magician in the process) helped drive home the sense of racial ignorance at the time. Robinson's success as Chung Ling Soo in part speaks to his encyclopedic knowledge of stage magic and his ability as a performer, but also to the sheer lack of knowledge of the general public. As often mentioned in the book, the audience was there to see miracles- whether or not they were presented by a genuine Chinese magician, or an American pretending to be a Chinese magician.
Overall a great read and I would recommend this to anyone interested in magic or someone looking to read about a niche historical oddity. Steinmeyer has several other books related to the history of stage magic that I'd like to read at some point.
bent's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very well-written book. Steinmeyer makes the story of William Robinson come alive, and manages to capture perfectly the feel of the era. This book probably deserves a higher rating, but I have to rate it the way I feel about it, and although it was an excellent read, over 400 pages was taxed my patience with the subject matter.
That's my fault, not Steinmeyer's - he's created a very entertaining book, but around page 300 when Robinson had taken on the guise of Chung Ling Soo, I found myself wondering "what more is there to tell?" Steinmeyer does tell the story well, and the book doesn't feel padded - it's just a lot of information for a man that I'm probably only slightly interested in.
That's my fault, not Steinmeyer's - he's created a very entertaining book, but around page 300 when Robinson had taken on the guise of Chung Ling Soo, I found myself wondering "what more is there to tell?" Steinmeyer does tell the story well, and the book doesn't feel padded - it's just a lot of information for a man that I'm probably only slightly interested in.
sandimunson's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhere in here is a really interesting story... but it is told in such a drawn out, detailed manner that I got bored.
matts's review
4.0
A fun 19th century story about a man with many secrets. Would especially appeal to history or magic enthusiasts.
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