| Crescendo of the Virtuoso |
| Acknowledgments |
 | Introduction |
| • | Notes |
| 1. Some Models of Excellence |
| 1. Philidor and the Café de la Régence Chess Masters |
| • | § 1. The Second Career of François-André Danican Philidor (1726–1795) as a Chess Player |
| • | § 2. Philidor’s Followers: Deschapelles, Labourdonnais, and the Dethroned Dynasts |
| • | Notes |
| 2. Carême, Chef de Cuisine |
| • | Notes |
| 3. Vidocq, Detective |
| • | Notes |
| 4. Paganini and Liszt, Musicians |
| • | § 1. Nicolò Paganini (1782–1840) |
| • | § 2. The Early Career of Franz Liszt (1811–1886) as a Concert Pianist |
| • | Notes |
| 5. Robert-Houdin and the Vogue of the Automaton-Builders |
| • | § 1. Predecessors of Robert-Houdin: Vaucanson, Jaquet-Droz, Kempelen, Maelzel |
| • | § 2. The Mechanician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805–1871) |
| • | Notes |
| 2. Some Modes of Excelling |
| 6. Mounting Spectacles |
| • | Notes |
| 7. Exalting Technical Skill |
| • | Notes |
| 8. Ballooning the Self |
| • | Notes |
| Conclusion |
| • | Notes |
