The Rise of the Indian Rope Trick

by Peter Lamont

We assume that the Indian rope trick is a piece of ancient Hindu magic. But think again: it is actually the product of a hoax which appeared in the Chicago Tribune in 1890. This wonderfully researched, playfully written book takes us on a journey through Victorian society where we discover the interest in magic of Charles Dickens; Alfred Russell Wallace; Edward, Prince of Wales; Lord Northbrook and Charles Darwin. We learn how in an age of reason the British came to love all things Oriental and how the legend of the rope trick came to be perpetuated throughout the 20th century as fanatical public figures and aristocrats went to India in search of it and returned claiming to have seen it being performed. This is a charming history book filled with colourful characters, known and unknown, all of whom pursued an obsession. Some were respected members of society, some were incredibly eccentric and utterly deluded. It is set against the background of Victorian society and shows how the writing of history itself can perpetuate myths and legends.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Magic, India

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best history books I've read, mostly for its personal prose and witticisms. Making a somewhat peculiar topic funny and engaging. Its loaded with British humor from this Scottish academic, Peter Lamont. One of the few books where I'd recommend everyone read the footnotes!

Four word summation:
wickedly funny, disturbingly informative

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Lamont has a breezy, entertaining writing style, but by the end of the book, I wasn't persuaded that the Indian Rope Trick hoax was a subject worthy of having an entire book dedicated to it. Perhaps readers who themselves are practising magicians will disagree, but I couldn't help thinking the central point of the book could have been made perfectly adequately in a long-form newspaper article length piece: 19th Century American journalist makes up astounding magic trick to generate sales. Chinese Whispers leads to much early 20th Century hunting for the genuine artiole.

[Micki James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the First Thanksgiving, the Indian Rope Trick is solidly based on a firm historical foundation that can be traced, documented, pinpointed in time, and finally ... made to disappear altogether. Lamont does a fascinating job of showing how the nonhistorical became historical. If you read only one book about magicians this year ... wait a moment, how many books about magicians do people read anyway?

[Georgiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, could not put it down. It was so full of interesting facts and ideas along with maintaining mystery that it kept my imagination completely engaged.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book brilliant and fascinating and I disagree with all those who have only complaints or half-hearted praise for it. What makes something like the 'Indian Rope Trick' fascinating is what makes Thanksgiving fascinating, or most of the universal symbols surrounding Halloween or Christmas. They are supposed to be rooted in history, almost in the sense of 'time immemorial' (and I do know that there is actually a legal definition, but I am using the term in a more pop cultural sense). But like Thanksgiving once you start looking for it the Indian Rope Trick rapidly disappears. The truth of its utter nonexistence causes similar, if not quite as passionate annoyance, as that of Thanksgiving. But in its origin and the rapidity of the legends spread and the persistence of belief there is a great deal to be learnt. Although the author doesn't touch on this I think a great deal about the spread and persistent belief in conspiracies and false-news can be found.

A wonderful and too little known book.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm honestly astonished I didn't know about this book before this year; I went to university very close to where the author is (was?) a professor and wrote my dissertation on a closely related subject. Nevertheless, I'm glad I found it in the end, this is a well researched and very witty text on a fascinating subject. A definite must have for the magic library, and intriguing even if considered in a purely historical sense.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinatingly entertaining account of how the Indian rope trick isn't Indian, doesn't involve a rope, and isn't a trick. Lamont writes with a mischievous humour, which makes its way even into the footnotes and photo captions. Popular history at its best.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five stars for the Author’s Note which are seven excellent pages explaining what History is and the importance of notes. The notes themselves are also entertaining. The other section of the book that is really good is the Epilogue and it’s description of India. Unfortunately the main part of the book on the Indian Rope Trick is overly long, confusing and feels like the author is going round in circles. I’d average the three star part with the five star part and give the book four stars except that none of the really good bits have to do with the book’s topic.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book--maybe a bit more--was fascinating, especially if you have even a passing interest in magic. But somewhere in the last half, the wheels wobbled and came off. The story began to feel tiresome, and while I understand the concept of the last chapter, I'm not sure it accomplished what the author intended. Still worth a read for the writing style and the wacky characters you never thought to be interested in before.

[Sam Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reasonably entertaining, but the scope here is probably better suited to a long article, not a book.

[Ryan Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

easy read but kind of repetive through out the book

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the love of Krishna, hire an editor

[Christopher Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about how the famous "Indian Rope Trick" has never been performed and there have been centuries of hoaxes and non-performances.

[Sue Corbett · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn’t Indian, it wasn’t a rope and it wasn’t a trick! Written by a magician with amusing notes. This worked because the Victorians were gullible. Well researched, well written but why a book on it? A magazine article would have sufficed. Who would buy it? Maybe we’re all still gullible.

[Barry H. Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Indian Rope Trick is almost a cliche: in an open field the boy climbs up a rope that somehow is suspended upright. He vanishes at the top. The magnus climbs up after him and also disappears. There is noise, a fight, then pieces of the boy fall out of the sky to the ground. The magnus reappears, sliding down the rope. He collects the pieces, puts them into a basked, says a few magic words and the boy reappears, unharmed! An event attested to, even photographed by many travelers, and reproduced on stage in varying forms by famous magicians for decades.

There is one problem,however, which Peter Lamont explains with well researched insights and restrained humor. The Indian Rope Trick never happened!

It was derived entirely from a newspaper story written by an amateur magician in a Chicago paper in 1890. The remarkable story just grew and spread, to where the Indians themselves had to learn how to create something that resembled it because so many tourists expected to see it.
A marvelous story that Lamont tells in great style.

[Joel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has it's moments. I like how the guy writes, but he seems to spend half the book trying to convince you that the history behind the "Indian Rope Trick" is worthy of an entire piece of work (which it isn't.)

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THE INTRODUCTION
This book is brilliant, and the best non-fiction book I've read in a while. Funny, interesting and sarcastic, it's a must-read if you're at all interested in how urban legends come about.

[Joseph Gowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and engrossing read, but it fades out at the end.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and wittily-written. Goes on a bit towards the end, but the light tone of the footnotes was a pleasant surprise.

[Chet Taranowski]

The first half of the book is more amusing not so much the second half

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lamont recounts a fascinating history with humor, making this one of the most entertaining nonfiction books I've read.