Recollections of Robert-Houdin concerns itself more with the man than with his ingenius mechanics. The author, William Manning, never gives the game away but rather allows us to experience Robert-Houdin's performance as would a member of the audience.

The illustrated effects are:

• The Inexhaustible Bottle
• The Suspension by Ether
• The Chinese Tumbler
• The Writing Automaton
• The Mysteious Clock
• Robert-Houdin's Electric Clock
• Cigarette Smoker
• Robert-Houdin's own Alarum