Sleight-of-Hand Book Flips Open Review Contest: Magicians Need Not Apply, Just Book Clubs

PALISADES, NY--(Marketwire - May 8, 2008) - Do you know that arguably the greatest sleight-of-hand trick in history is one that even the greatest magician couldn't do? The book about it is called "Legerdemain," the eleven-letter word for sleight-of-hand. It is about a country that disappeared almost overnight from the French colonial empire and reappeared in Uncle Sam's sphere of influence... and there was no magician involved, just some beautiful, smart women, a young inexperienced American spook and some older, savvier spooks from England, Israel and the Soviet Union. All those people doing the usual spy things and the French didn't even see it happening. It's a true story.

One reviewer, Dr. Herbert Werlin, an editor from the World Bank who knows about such things, said it was "history you will only find in the deepest archives in Washington, D.C." and book reviewer Robert Shultis of the Virginia Gazette said, "Heaphey beautifully tells the story. 'Legerdemain' is... fascinating reading, something of which few of us are even aware."

And best of all, it's a true story that doesn't read like a history book. It reads like a spy novel with some high adventure and romance.

And that's why we're having the contest. To make all of us, including the French, see the sleight-of-hand act that is "Legerdemain."

History Publishing Company decided to bring the dark doings of espionage and romance to the book reading clubs of America with a national review contest. History Publishing Company will supply free copies of "Legerdemain" to each member of the first 50 clubs to enroll in the contest. Each enrolled club must write a review of "Legerdemain." The club that writes the best review of "Legerdemain" will get free books for each of its club members for one year and a cash prize of $500. First prize value is limited to $3000.00. All other clubs will receive participating awards valued at $600. Judges Lauren Starke, New York Magazine's Communications Manager and Businessweek bestselling author John Downes will judge the entries. To apply, contact Don Bracken at djb@historypublishingco.com. The rules can be seen on the blog site at http://historypublishingco.com.

"Legerdemain," History Publishing Company, LLC (9781933909363) is available in bookstores nationally and in online outlets.