A six-part examination of the culture and history of magic. Explores the evolution of magic from the automata of Robert-Houdin to the elaborate illusions of Penn and Teller. Includes the story of the Hermann brothers; a profile of Harry Houdini's life and work and the impact he had upon succeeding magicians; studies of bizarre magicians and sideshow performers ; a look at dangerous illusions, such as the bullet catching trick, that have claimed the lives of magicians.