Wired Magazine has put together their own comparison to see who wins in a Houdini vs Thurston contest: http://bit.ly/fF5Xf0

I tried this years ago, everyone got mad at me. They said I couldn't compare and contrast magicians. They said I was putting capes and masks on them like superheroes and matching them up against each other like comic book characters. Every one was very offended. How dare I begin a discussion about who had better technique, Pollock or Cardini- shame on me! I hope you have better luck.
Rod

Obviously, this was put together in light of all of the publicity that the new Steinmeyer book is getting.

I don't have a problem with comparing and contrasting different people, so long as the "debates" are conducted in the pursuit of a better understanding of their achievements, etc.