I'm a little surprised to see that this enigmatic and amazing magician hasn't been mentioned yet. I'm absolutely taken with Chung Ling Soo. What I know of his life reads more like fiction (b/c some of it is) than fact. I'm trying to gather more information on him. Anything that anyone knows would be of use. I already know his real name was William Robinson. I know about his death, parts of his history. Anecdotes, apocrypha, obscure facts, that sort of thing is what I"m hoping for.

Hello Grimm, I suggest you track down the book called 'The riddle of Chung Ling Soo' written by Will Dexter many years ago.

Jim Steinmeyer is hard at work on a new book about Soo. You can be sure it will be a great read. I'm not aware publication date as of yet.

Jim Steinmeyer's book can be found with an Amazon search. It is due out in May and can be pre-ordered.

I agree...One of the great characters in the history of magic.

Abe Books is a listing of tons of used book stores...they have some interesting books on Robinson.

abebooks.com

Jim's book on Chung Ling Soo is for the general public and should be great. You may also want to check out Todd Karr's The Silence of Chung Ling Soo, A Gift From The Gods (not sure who this is by), Chung Ling Soo-the Man Behind the Legend by Gary Frank & Chung Ling Soo's Mechanists-They Stayed Behind, by Brian McCaullagh and Dr. J. Ernest Aldred and was put out by Mike Caveney's Magic Words.