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Carter Beats the Devil
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
18 posts | 23 read | 19 to read
Charles Carter, dubbed Carter the Great by Houdini himself, was born into privilege but became a magician out of need: only when dazzling an audience can he defeat his fear of loneliness. But in 1920s America the stakes are growing higher, as technology and the cinema challenge the allure of magic and Carter's stunts become increasingly audacious. Until the night President Harding takes part in Carter's act only to die two hours later, and Carter finds himself pursued not only by the Secret Service but by a host of others desperate for the terrible secret they believe Harding confided in him. Seamlessly blending reality and fiction, Gold lays before us a glittering and romantic panorama of our modern world at a point of irrevocable change.
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xicanti
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CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL is the latest stop on my Early-2000s Rereads Tour. I loved the hell out of it back in 2009, and I‘m still enjoying it here in 2024, with the usual caveats about racist depictions in early 20th century stage magic. I can‘t seem to actually sit down and READ IT, though. Hopefully I can get some momentum with it this weekend.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwww Casey 🐾 🤎 9mo
xicanti @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks he snuggled up to the book all on his own my heart melted. 9mo
dabbe Sweet Sir Casey. 🖤🐾🖤 9mo
36 likes3 comments
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RamsFan1963
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description or reason for wanting to read the book. Some are old and some will be new. Don't judge me - I have a lot of books.
Day 337

#tbrmountain #bookbuyingdiet

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RamsFan1963
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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Leftcoastzen Always loved this cover! 5y
51 likes1 comment
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BookMaven9
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BFFs matching bookie tattoos!

JoScho 🖤🖤🖤 6y
7 likes1 comment
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BookMaven9
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BFFs matching bookie tattoos!

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JGadz11
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ReadingOver50 Great cover art 7y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jas16
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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In 1920s San Francisco Carter must find the #perfectillusion to revive his career as a magician. This is a great historical fiction novel that also includes a mystery. #augustgrrrl

Cinfhen Such a great cover! Book sounds good too! Stacked 7y
48 likes1 comment
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kalinichta
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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Also, Glen David Gold. And having had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, I can advise that he's also very charming and personable. #attractiveauthors #junebookbugs

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kalinichta
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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This book again? Yes, because it's the only book I've willingly re-read. This is my signed ARC. 💘🃏 #riotgrams #welllovedreads

JazzFeathers I'm always envious of any signed book 😍 I have so few of them 😒 7y
kalinichta @JazzFeathers I was fortunate enough to work at a bookstore that hosted many author events. 7y
21 likes2 comments
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kalinichta
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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My favorite book is Glen David Gold's fictionalized account of real magician Charles Carter (and it was a very successful case of judging a book by its cover). Gold's book led to an interest in reading about the art of stage magic (I highly recommend Jim Steinmeyer's Hiding the Elephant). #somethingmagical #riotgrams

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Seshat
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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Seshat
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#fiestyfeb #day20 #presidentalreads Warren G. Harding is a character in this book. @RealLifeReading

Thekelburrows One of my favorites 8y
35 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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kalinichta
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I have only voluntarily re-read one book in my life, and this is my signed (a little faded, on Carter's shirt) poster for that book. I've read it three times, finding myself returning to it whenever I was experiencing major change or upheaval in my life. A beautiful escape among characters I adore. #FunFridayPhoto #comfortreads @Liberty

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susanw
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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Not a scary cover but it's nothing I'd want to look at all day long. #creepycover #booktober @RealLifeReading

charl08 Great book though... 8y
sj_connor I love this book! 8y
72 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Seshat
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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Rival stage magicians, shenanigans involving President Harding, a blind girl, a lion. Carter Beats the Devil is #fullofadventure #booktober

20 likes4 stack adds
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Kisha.j
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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"When it comes to the requirements for pleasing an audience, all the knowledge a d instruction and apparatus in the world is worth less than one ounce of soul." -Ottawa Keyes

1 like1 stack add
review
erikhanberg
Carter Beats the Devil | Glen David Gold
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Pickpick

This book is just so much fun. Vaudeville, Houdini, the Secret Service and more in an amazing historical fiction novel. Highly recommend.