Houdini: Master of Escape "Ladies and gentlemen, you can see there isn't anything up my sleeve. "1 Erich Weiss states at the beginning of the book. Even as a child Erich Weiss, a.k.a. Harry Houdini, knows that his goal in life is to become a world famous illusionist. It was difficult for Erich's family being pilgrims from Europe. His father worked hard, but being from Germany and not knowing English made it difficult. "Promise me you will always look after your mother and see to it that she is never in want."2 Erich promises his father that he will look after his mother and other brothers. At the