Houdini Unbound: Espionage in Russia

It's 1903; America is besieged by a rapacious Russia and a power-mad Germany. President Theodore Roosevelt has just learned that the Russians have stolen the U.S. diplomatic code, and that the Germans have a nest of spies in the Russian royal court. Into this maelstrom steps the young and innocent Harry Houdini. His brilliant illusions have convinced Nicholas and Alexandra, the Russian royals, that he has genuine magical powers. When they invite Harry and his wife Bess to become their spiritual advisers, Roosevelt enlists Houdini as a spy for the U.S.A. Suddenly, Houdini is performing on a world scale, and the stakes are much higher than even his own life: the life of his wife and the peace of the world hang in the balance. This story, never told before, is based on true events.

About the Author :
HOUDINI UNBOUND is David Saltman's first novel. On April 2, 2017, Hudson River Books published Grand Master, the life of Dong Ying Jie, Tai Chi champion of China. David co-authored the book with Dong's great-grandson, fourth-generation Tai Chi master Alex Dong. David's fourth book, Gilda, a biography of the late comedienne Gilda Radner, was praised by the Los Angeles Times as elegiac and more exciting than prime time. He has authored or co-authored three other critically-acclaimed books: The Sports Book, The Great Escape, and The Marrakech Express. His humor pieces in TV Guide, his science writing in Omni and travel writings in Rolling Stone and The New York Times have been hailed as setting the standards for the art. David has written, produced and directed some two hundred documentaries for CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC and public television networks and has written or collaborated on three feature film scripts. He has won Emmy and Ace awards, shared a Peabody award, and has had his film work inducted into the Smithsonian Institution. He has taught writing and filmmaking at St. John's University in New York City, the State University of New York's Purchase College, the University of California at Santa Cruz and the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Review :
"David Saltman brings magic to the page in Houdini Unbound -- both the world of stage magic that he knows so well, and the magic of his own unbounded imagination. How could one not admire a book whose characters, in addition to Houdini himself, include Teddy Roosevelt, Anton Chekhov, and Rasputin?" --DANIEL OKRENT, author, Last Call, Great Fortune, Nine Innings; Pulitzer Prize finalist; Public Editor, The New York Times "Who could do better in this day and age than Russia and espionage? David Saltman can, and has, in Houdini Unbound, his new novel that adds Houdini to that already roiling stew to masterful effect! A page turner deluxe!" --LUCIAN K. TRUSCOTT IV, author, Dress Gray; feature writer, Salon "What an exciting romp through history Saltman has conjured. Houdini Unbound is a very personal introduction to history's A-list (heads of state -- elected and otherwise, authors and artists and aficionados) that is packed with fine and accurate details of international intrigue, the sensual pleasures of food and travel and a pleasing hint of occult mystery. Best of all this gripping yarn is teeming with the tradecraft of spies and politicians and, of course, magicians." -- MANNY HOWARD, author, My Empire of Dirt; Executive Editor, Salon "True events, beautifully dramatized. Awesome!" -- JOHN COX, Houdini historian, www.WildAboutHoudini.com "Triumphant! Houdini's adventures from a century ago make him and the historical figures of his time come alive." -- ARTHUR MOSES, historian, collector, author, Houdini Speaks Out "Finally the story can be told of Houdini's grand work as a spy for Theodore Roosevelt. Together, they prevented war!" --[NAME REDACTED] CIA Russia analyst