Spiritualism
Spiritualism is a term that is associated with the ability to communicate with the dead. Harry Houdini wanted to believe that such communication was possible, but after many years performing magic, Houdini was familiar with the methods utilized by phony spiritualists to fool the public. Harry Houdini lectured on the subject of fraudulent spiritualists and unmasked many in the cities he visited. In his act, Houdini demonstrated many of the tricks used by spiritualists and wrote a best-selling book, A Magician Among the Spirits, which detailed their deceptions. Because of his interest in spiritualism, Houdini developed a friendship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, who was a firm believer in spiritualism. Conan Doyle was convinced that psychic powers enabled Houdini to perform his stunning escapes, and refused to accept Houdini's denials and explanations. Eventually their disagreement over spiritualism and psychic ability led to an estrangement. The friendship ended as Harry Houdini and Doyle attacked each other publicly.