The Coney Island Fakir:
The Magical Life Of Al Flosso
Piles of junk accumulated at Flosso's. Showcases were crammed with antique magic equipment. Stacks of magic literature teetered on the countertops. Al Flosso lived a life of disarray. So assembling his life story proved a challenging task.
In writing The Coney Island Fakir, magic writer Gary Brown examined hundreds of books, newspapers, photographs, magazines, programs, catalogs, and video and audio tapes from public and private collections, piecing together details from this chaotic record. Through interviews and correspondence, magicians, performers and collectors on four continents added their anecdotes, insights and observations about Flosso. Their recollections breathed life into The Coney Island Fakir.
The result is a vibrant portrait, an animated mosaic. In tracing Flosso's career, The Coney Island Fakir captures the essence of this unique performer, his original style, and his influence on the world of magic.
Here's what the critics say . . .
"A quite readable portrait of a delightful and unique character in the annals of magic . . . readers will ponder and wonder, laugh and linger over the extraordinary character it portrays. Mr. Brown has done not only his subject but the future of our art great service."
-Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii
"Flosso was a true character, and Gary Brown [is] an excellent writer. In this well-documented biography, Brown traces Flosso's colorful life from his beginnings . . . Al Flosso -- there will never be another."
-David Goodsell, M*U*M
"If you enjoy magical biographies, you will want to pick up a copy of Gary Brown's new biography of Al Flosso . . . .I enjoyed The Coney Island Fakir, and I think you will, too. Recommended."
-Magic
"This is a delightful book, a well-written and beautifully-produced anecdotal biography. Gary's engaging conversational style adds to the easy pace of the story."
-Michael Edwards, alt.magic
The Coney Island Fakir is a remarkable book about a remarkable life. The book traces Flosso's fascinating career, from his days as a street corner shill, carnival pitchman and sideshow magician to his work on Broadway, film and television. Lavishly illustrated with dozens of photos, The Coney Island Fakir provides a vivid portrait of this unique performer.
As an added bonus, this volume contains a reprint of Our Mysteries. Produced by Flosso in the 1940's, Our Mysteries features tricks by Flosso, Al Baker, Ted Annemann and other top performers. Our Mysteries is an invaluable addition to any magic library.
