Dai Vernon: A Biography

Dai Vernon revolutionized the world of sleight-of-hand magic with unmatched virtuosity and an unwavering quest for perfection. Born in 1894 in Ottawa, Vernon relocated to Manhattan in 1915 and never looked back. His miracles appeared effortless, flowing from his fingertips with astonishing skill. The secrets behind his mastery? Vernon immersed himself in the hidden underworld of gamblers, hustlers, and con-men, learning and perfecting their covert methods.

This comprehensive biography traces Vernon’s extraordinary journey across Ottawa, Coney Island, Chicago, Manhattan, Kansas City, and Colorado Springs, highlighting his encounters with legendary figures like Houdini, Billy Rose, and Roosevelt.

Dai Vernon: A Biography also captures the evolution of magic in the 20th century—from London and Paris stages to secretive magic emporiums, vaudeville, Broadway, grand spectaculars, New York nightspots, and the dawn of television. Vernon’s life reveals the foundational cornerstones of modern magic, laying bare the craft’s hidden secrets for all to discover.

Filled with never-before-published stories, rare insights, and over 40 rare photographs, this 370-page hardbound edition from Squash Publishing celebrates the legacy of the undisputed king of sleight-of-hand magic, whose influence endures in the magic world forever.