Beating a Dead Horse: The Life and Times of Jay Marshall is an engaging, no-holds-barred look at the life of television pioneer, and dean of American magicians, Jay Marshall.

Beating a Dead Horse is also a story of fathers and sons. It is laugh-out-loud funny, honest, touching, and offers revelations along the way. Jay's son, Alexander Sandy Marshall, spent more than three years researching and writing about his maverick father.

Beating a Dead Horse captures the essence of a comedic genius -- both on and off stage. These pages reveal how wit and tenacity propelled Jay Marshall into becoming one of the most respected men in show business, and a world-renowned expert in the art of magic. Jay Marshall took control of his image and continually reinvented himself. He drew his own ads, pulled numerous publicity stunts, and even taught himself how to play the bagpipes. A man of many appetites, he was addicted to practical jokes and romantic escapades.

Beating a Dead Horse chronicles Jay's journey from his staid middle class upbringing in Abington, Massachusetts to his memorable performances on Broadway, television (14 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show), New York's Palace Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, the London Palladium, opening for Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, traveling the world, and becoming the Dean of the Society of American Magicians.

Designed in full color, with 540 pages containing more than 700 illustrations, this is a must read for anyone with an interest in magic, vaudeville, puppetry, ventriloquism, early television, American popular culture, the business of show business, or living life to the fullest.

Here's what people are saying about Beating a Dead Horse The Life and Times of Jay Marshall:

"This is one of those rare, thoroughly satisfying books. Even if you didn't know of the wonderful Jay Marshall, it is a delight. For those who only knew his work, now they can know him. For all lucky enough to have met and known Jay, it is a must."
-Dick Cavett, "The Dick Cavett Show", co-author of Cavett, Eye on Cavett

"A remarkable report of an exceptional life, full of honesty, humour and passion."
-John Fisher, author of Cardini The Suave Deceiver, Tommy Cooper Always Leave 'Em Laughing, The Magic of Lewis Carroll

"Great Fun. Literally jaw-dropping."
-Max Maven, author of Prism: The Color Series of Mentalism, Max Maven's Book of Fortunetelling

"Awesome and diabolically funny."
-David Ben, author of Dai Vernon: A Biography, Zarrow: A Lifetime of Magic