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- From: Paul Nielsen <nielsen@vulture.eecs.umich.edu>
- Newsgroups: alt.magic,alt.answers,news.answers
- Subject: alt.magic FAQ part 2/4
- Followup-To: alt.magic
- Date: 02 Feb 1998 15:54:41 -0500
- Organization: University of Michigan AI Lab, Ann Arbor, MI
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-
-
- Frequently asked questions in alt.magic/part2 (of 4)
-
- Last modified: Fri Nov 7 16:53:21 EST 1997
-
-
-
- Topics:
- Part 2
- V. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BOOKS ON MAGIC
-
- Bibliography of Books on Magic
-
-
- Originally compiled by Scott Duncan (duncan@bellcore.com)
- Reorganized and expanded by Robin Dawes (dawes@qucis.queensu.ca)
- Please mail additions and corrections to Paul Nielsen (nielsen@eecs.umich.edu)
-
-
- Contributors:
- [BB] barnett@grymoire.crd.ge.com (Bruce Barnett)
- [BD] Bruno.Degiovanni@CSELT.STET.IT (Bruno Degiovanni)
- [CR] cragaisi@nyx.cs.du.edu (Chris Ragaisis)
- [DH] davehunt@microsoft.com (Dave Hunt)
- [DL] donl@worldbridge.com (Donald P. Leaman)
- [DM] dhm@ug.cs.dal.ca (David H. MacFarlane)
- [DP] peters@drea.dnd.ca (Doug Peters)
- [E?] 2j8gap$8j1@senator-bedfellow.MIT.EDU (Eric ?)
- [FD] fdeignan@vax.clarku.edu (?)
- [GH] NHJV85A@prodigy.com (Gary E. Hunt)
- [HS] hes@unity.ncsu.edu (Henry E. Schaffer)
- [HM] HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu (Sleight of Hans)
- [JB] exujbl@exu.ericsson.se (Jerry Blackerby,CS/D,x77810)
- [JC] cox@stolaf.edu (J Randolph Cox)
- [JG] au961@yfn.ysu.edu (Jeremy Greystoke)
- [JM] jillm@netcom.com (Jill Marci)
- [MK] mike@vpnet.chi.il.us (Mike Kamlet)
- [PN] nielsen@eecs.umich.edu (Paul Nielsen)
- [RD] dawes@qucis.queensu.ca (Robin Dawes)
- [SD] duncan@bellcore.com (Scott Duncan)
- [SFD] ai627@yfn.ysu.edu (Stan F. Davis)
- [TN] tnielson@spock.NMSU.Edu (Thorin Nielson)
- [RG] rgranville@bbn.com (Robert Granville)
-
-
- Read a good magic book recently? If you would like to write a review for
- the FAQ, send 1) the book title, 2) the author, 3) the year of publication,
- 4) the publisher, 5) the category, and 6) a brief review to
- "nielsen@eecs.umich.edu".
-
-
- Sections:
- 1. General
- 2. Performance/Philosophy
- 3. For the Beginner
- 4. Card Magic
- 5. Coin Magic
- 6. Card & Coin Combinations
- 7. Mentalism
- 8. Other Magic
- 9. History/Reference
- 10. Business Issues in Magic
- 11. Performing for Children
-
-
- 1. General
-
-
- Ammar, Michael The Magic of Michael Ammar
- (1991, L&L Publ.)
-
- [SD] Very nicely executed book of effects and magic "philosophy."
- Starting with an entire stand-up Cups and Balls routine, the book
- includes "utilities," "restaurant" effects, other "stand-up" effects,
- "magic management," as well as various chapters of philosophy and
- advice. In a chapter on "classic renditions," you'll find the "Crazy
- Man's Handcuffs" (i.e., rubber bands that seem to melt through one
- another) which seems to be a favorite of many folks.
-
- [RD] I use the "C. M. Handcuffs" all the time. There is a heavy
- overlap between this book and Mr. Ammar's previous publications (such
- as "Command Performance") but if you don't have all of those, this is
- a recommended purchase.
-
-
- Bannon, John Impossibilia
- (1990, L&L Publ.)
-
- [SD] A variety of nice stuff with cards, coins, cups. Easy to
- challenging.
-
-
- Bennett, Horace On Your Feet
- (1978, Mentzer)
-
- [RD] Mr. Bennett was considered one of the best of his day. In this
- small book he details his handlings for 8 routines that can be done
- while standing (though some require a table). Included are sponge
- balls, a matrix type effect, ring on wand, etc.
-
-
- Bertram, Ross Magic and Methods
- (?,?)
-
- [DP] - for someone out there this is a good book, but not for me.
- - some excellent coin effects, chapter on sleeving.
- - terrific stories about Dai Vernon, etc.
- - good egg-bag routine
-
-
- Carney, John Carney Knowledge
- (1983, Carney)
-
- [RD] Mr. Carney has a more recent, much larger book out titled
- "Carneycopia" that probably subsumes this booklet. Here he presents
- ten or so effects with cards, coins, crystals, toy mice, etc., and
- intersperses them with brief musings on the design and presentation of
- magic. Mr. Carney is a student of Dai Vernon, and it appears he has
- learned well. The theoretical essays made the booklet worthwhile for
- me.
-
-
- Close, Michael Workers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- (1990-1996, Michael Close)
-
- [MK] Workers 1: Close's first book contains his origami bunny,
- Dr. Strangetrick (his version of card warp with a bill), and the pothole
- trick. Some feel the pothole effect is worth the price of the book. Mike
- gives you detailed instructions and all of his patter...
- [MK] Workers 2: This time Mike gives you his 'rubik bill', The el Cheapo
- magic set a ring and string effect, and the frog prince (it's much more
- than a card trick). There are other effects included as well as his
- handling for a spread force.
- [MK] Workers 3: Includes essays on patter, presentation, motivation
- audience management....He gives his techniques for palming and methods for
- learning how to palm -- not just hold the card this way. There's another
- origami trick and some card effects. It's good reading.
-
- de la Torre, Jose Magicana of Havana
- (1975, de la Torre)
-
- [SD] Interesting routines based on some familiar themes, including
- effects using jumbo (oversized) cards.
-
-
- Elliott, Bruce Magic as a Hobby
- (1951, Faber & Faber)
-
- [RD] A great book for beginning to intermediate students of the art.
- Much of the material comes from the Phoenix magazine, but is still
- current. Has chapters on cards, coins, miscellaneous, mentalism,
- etc., and a fine essay on developing magical presentation. Also
- includes (with permission) the complete money act that Mike Bornstein
- used to perform on stage.
-
-
- Elliott, Bruce Classic Secrets of Magic
- (1953, Faber & Faber)
-
- [RD] Devotes a chapter each to such perennials as the Ambitious Card,
- Multiplying Billiard Balls, Cups and Balls, Two Covers and Four
- Objects (Elliott seems to have been ahead of his time in eschewing the
- politically incorrect name usually given to this trick), 4 Aces, and
- so on. All extremely practical material that will require some
- practice.
-
-
- Fox, Karrell AbraKfox
- (?, ?)
-
- [MK] This is a small book by Fox that includes some tricks and some stories.
- Karrell wrote it as a tribute to Duke Stern. His rope tie, and the Guatelma
- rope trick are included.
-
-
- Gardner, Martin Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic
- (1978, Magic, Inc.)
-
- [PN] Tricks with no special apparatus, gimmicks, or involved
- preparation. Lots of wonderful stuff. This is being sold by Klutz
- Press since Martin Gardner was one of the consultants on the Klutz
- Book of Magic.
-
-
- Gardner, Martin Martin Gardner Presents
- (1993, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] A large collection of previously published material from when
- Gardner was a boy through adulthood, covering the years from the 30's
- through the 90's. Cards occupy a large part of the material as do
- effects based on counting and math "tricks." However, there is
- material here with coins, ice, sponge balls, thimbles, handkerchiefs,
- as well as mentalism (though mostly related to math/counting).
-
- [DP] Martin has published several books on mathematical magic,
- impromptu magic, and the "Uriah Fuller" parodies of Uri Geller. Some
- of his pamphlets have a lot of gags and funny bits which are still
- being used. His earlier stuff collects a lot of material from all over
- the place, and he notes creators and originators often. His his
- knowledge is encyclopedic, but it may not include "heavy" work. I
- don't remember him writing about cards that much.
-
-
- Harkey, David Simply Harkey
- (1991(?), Clandestine Productions)
-
- [SD] The work of David Harkey has stuff in it that looks "impossible"
- but which, when you see him lecture, is very impressive. Then, you
- find out it isn't as hard as it looks. On the other hand, the
- explanations of some of these (like his "crystal transformation"
- effect) sound more complex than they turn out to be in practice. (Not
- because the explanations are poor, but because there is a lot going on
- sometimes. It is not easy stuff to do because of that rather than
- because the individual things done are particularly hard.) I like
- this book mostly for the card and coin stuff, though his "Goldfinger
- Trilogy" (with a finger ring) and "Sweet Talk" (with a coin and sugar
- packet) are neat as well.
-
-
- Herz, Bill and Paul Harris Secrets of the Astonishing Executive
- (1991, Avon Books)
-
- [MK] I know it's written for the general lay audience, but there
- are some interesting things in it. (Although you probably know most of
- what in there) It uses simple principles to use in the office or at
- business lunches. It includes some mental stuff based on Max Maven
- effects, the Mac King creamer bit..
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard 5 X 5
- (19??,Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [Rashid] Five Japanese magicians each of whom disclose five of their pet
- close-up effects. These range from impromptu coin and card tricks to
- tricks employing some very ingenious and easily constructed gimmicks.
- The material is really fresh and innovative. It's been a long time
- since I came across a book on close-up that contained material I could
- get excited over - creative effects that can really make an audience
- sit up and take notice. My favorite effects are:
-
- - An ambitious card routine where you put a paper clip on the card, bury
- it, and with a shake of the hand the paper clipped card is back on top.
- - A beautifully startling effect where an empty, flattened out card case is
- folded into its original box shape and then with no false moves, the box
- is opened and a deck of cards is dumped out.
- - A card warp type of effect where a dollar bill that has been folded
- lengthwise into 1/4 its original width is pushed through another dollar
- bill (a la card warp). When it emerges on the other side it has started
- to unfold itself. Each time it is pushed through it has magically
- unfolded a little more till it unfolds completely and is then immediately
- handed out for examination.
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Amazing Miracles of Shigeo Takagi
- (19??,Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] Nice mixture of stuff -- including silk, rope, and ring effects
- plus the usual card magic -- from one of Japan's foremost magicians.
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Collected Almanac
- (?, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [DP] Includes such favourites as Sankey's Airtight & Forgery,
- Dingle's handling of the Jennings' classic Visitor, the Stencel Aces,
- Hamman's Signed Card & Twins, etc.
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Richard's Almanac Volume 1
- (19??, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] A book covering Kaufman's magazine for 1982-83 with effects from
- many folks on many topics.
-
- [DP] a good book - a wealth of close-up material.
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Sawa's Library Volume 1
- (?, Kaufman & Greenburg)
-
- [DP] - the coin effects are beyond me (back-pinch four quarters? right!)
- - the sponge-ball stuff looks really good
- - the rope magic is excellent
- - the gaffed cards are intact
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Showtime at the TomFoolery
- (?, Kaufman & Greenburg)
-
- [MK] This book describes Tom Mullica's act that he did at the Tom
- Foolery. Each effect (except the cigarette and napkins) is explained
- in incredible detail. The style of the book is a bit unusual since it
- describes Mullica's action during each minute of the show. (They have
- a time order..) There are stories in it too, and it is fun reading.
-
-
- Kronzek Book of Magic for Young Magicians -
- The Secrets of ALKAZAR
- (?,?)
-
- [SFD] A real surprise! good sections on misdirection, on how to make a
- card trick interesting (including '15 ways to have a card chosen'), on
- how to present and routine a trick. Not just for children.....
-
-
- Kurtz, Gary Unexplainable Acts
- (?,?)
-
- [CR] This is a GREAT book. Unfortunately, it's very Kurtz, the
- material is fairly difficult. The sleights are explained well, but
- NOTHING in this book will be performed immediately. You're going to
- have to work at it. There is a mixture of close up and platform stuff
- in there, with some pretty weird ideas. I recommend that you scope a
- copy of this book BEFORE you buy it. My two favorite routines in the
- book are ones where you drop a apple into a rolled up sheet of
- construction paper. You immediately roll out an orange. The paper is
- then unrolled and shown. The other is a bill vanish, cigar production
- (still wrapped in cellophane), hand the cigar to a spectator. She
- opens the cellophane, breaks the cigar in half and discovers a bill
- _inside_ the cigar. This is shown to be the missing bill.
-
-
- Marlo, Edward M. I. N. T.
- (198?, L&L Publ.)
-
- [SD] Ed Marlo's magic collected from material presented in now out-
- of-print magazine sources.
-
- [RD] The title is an acronym for Marlo In New Tops, I think.
-
-
- Marlo, Edward Marlo's Magazine Volume 1
- (1976, Ed Marlo)
-
- [SD] Really a large book of many effects. However, as he says in the
- Foreword, he wanted to "say something" besides talk about routines and
- effects. So he makes "editorial points" throughout the book. I like
- to read about how magicians think (and what they think about) when it
- comes to magic. There's lots of card magic here as well as the
- thoughts.
-
-
- Minch, Stephen Korem Without Limits
- (19??, A.D. Robbins Publ.)
-
- [SD] Reasonably good collection of intermediate magic -- not
- everything caught my attention -- with reasonably good photographs
- illustrating things.
-
-
- Minch, Stephen Ken Krenzel's Close-Up Impact
- (1990, Hermetic Press)
-
- [SD] Krenzel is a "thinking person's" magician with a reputation for
- exploring the psychology of effects. The fact that he's a
- psychologist -- it's Dr. Krenzel -- explains that partially. Not all
- this stuff has the impact that the title claims -- at least, I've seen
- him lecture and wasn't overwhelmed.
-
-
- Ouellet, Gary The Masters of Magic Series
- (various dates, Camirand Academy of Magic)
-
- [SD] Ouellet covers many routines with cards, shells and pea, coin
- penetrations, cups and balls, etc. One routine per monograph.
-
- [RD] These are generally well-written and produced. These are the ones
- I've read: The Coin Connection - excellent routine from Eric DeCamps
- Supershells - a 3-shell routine. Threshold - an attractive method for the
- torn-and-restored card, using lapping. Finger on the Card - a presentation
- of the Dunbury Delusion - not bad.
-
-
- Page, Patrick and Goshman, Albert Magic by Gosh
- (?, Goshman)
-
- [SD] Basically, Goshman's act, all of it, plus other items.
-
- [RD] Goshman's work with sponges was incredibly good, and his "coins
- under the salt shaker" routine was great. I assume these are in this
- book.
-
-
- Pierce, Lance Roger Klause in Concert
- (?, L&L Publishing)
-
- [DP] Includes the most recent treatment of the famous $100 bill switch.
- Good motivation for everything, suggested patter and attention to
- detail. Most things require special props, from TT to gaffed coins.
- Intermediate difficulty. Well designed & produced, a number of
- proofing errors (right hand for left hand, etc) and dark photo
- reproductions, however. Lots of filler, including letters of praise
- for RK from a who's who of modern magic.
-
-
- Slaight, Allan Stewart James in Print: The First Fifty Years
- (1989, Jogjestja)
-
- [SD] Probably the thickest book in magic. At least the thickest one
- I've seen at over 990 pages! You have to dig stuff out, but there's a
- variety of things here from the easy to the more challenging.
-
- [RD] Mr. James invented the ever-popular Miraskil. Volume 2 of this
- incredible inventor's work is still pending (1994).
-
-
- Tannen's Magic Stars of Magic
- (19??, Tannen)
-
- [SD] A series of 11 monographs (plus two "lessons") which appeared
- individually in the past but are collected into book form. Usually
- multiple effects per monograph.
-
- [RD] Much of the magic seems dated, but John Scarne's "Triple
- Coincidence" and Dai Vernon's "Ambitious Card" and "Royal Monte" are
- excellent.
-
- [BD] It is noticeable also for the famous SPELLBOUND coin move (D.
- Vernon). In every coin book you'll find a reference to that.
-
-
- Tannen's Magic New Stars of Magic
- (various dates, Tannen)
-
- [SD] A monograph series from the 1970's and early 1980's on subjects
- such as MacDonald's Four Ace Trick (Garcia), the Card Tunnel
- (Krenzel), the Ultimate Invisible Assembly (Kaufman), a 3-Ring Routine
- (Capehart), Immaculate Connection (Harris), Bewildering (Bennett),
- etc. Some nice routines (one per monograph) with certain equipment
- included (gimmick cards, etc.) for some routines.
-
- [RD] Immaculate Connection is great. For a better handling of
- MacDonald's Aces, try John Mendoza's "The Book of John: Verse Two".
-
-
- Tarbell, Harlan Tarbell Course in Magic
- (8 vols, 1972, 1993, D. Robbins & Co.)
-
- [SD] Originally distributed in the late 1920's as a mail-order course
- in magic with 60 separate lessons and now a multi-volume set covering
- nearly every aspect of magic. Not the first thing to buy, for sure,
- but something everyone may want to get eventually. (Of course, at
- $120+ a set, that may take a while.)
-
- [RD] Harry Lorayne actually wrote Volume 7.
-
- [FD] For those of you who have posted that you would like to get into
- magic but don't have the money for tricks, books are your best bet.
- Probably the grand-daddy of all series is the Tarbell Course in Magic.
- It is hard cover and comes in seven volumes. I bought the complete
- set at a magic convention for $115. If bought separately, I believe
- that the first volume is $15 and the succeeding ones are $18 each.
- The complete course is a wealth of magical information! For a little
- over $100 anyone can get into magic and be able to perform some
- amazing feats. Every so often I'll see a fellow magician perform some
- magical miracle I've never seen and he'll then tell me that he got it
- out of Tarbell.
-
-
- Weber, Michael Lifesavers
- (?, Kaufman)
-
- [MK] Weber gives lots of ideas on what he calls improvised magic.
- Making do with what you got. (He does carry around a lot of strange
- things -- but with 10 min. in a bathroom he can build miracles --
- maybe that didn't sound right :-) Weber has some interesting ideas on
- handling of 'standard' ideas. I liked how he combined the Chris
- Kenner and Dan Harlan linking rubber band routines.
-
- [JG] "LIFE SAVERS" is an excellent book. It's currently $35, and I
- think it's worth the money if you do any performing for real
- people (not other magicians...the stuff is too good to waste on
- them!).
-
- Several items do require a few moments of advance preparation, so
- it's a misnomer to call the book a collection of impromptu magic.
- ..though each item will look spur-of-the-moment when performed.
-
- The book is well written and illustrated with many photographs.
- Mike Weber is well known in magical circles for his creativity
- and this book is an excellent introduction to his thinking. I
- highly recommend this book.
-
-
- Wilson, Mark Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic
- ( 1991(?), Courage Books)
-
- [SD] A large book offering a beginner's course in magic. Good for
- lots of fundamental stuff, but with a few things that may interest
- slightly experienced magicians. Think of it as an abbreviated Tarbell
- in some respects.
-
- [FD] Another fine book. The 472 page hard cover book sells for about
- $20-$25 and also is a wealth of magical information. For this small
- investment you too can get into the field of magic. The original book
- should be a staple in every magician's library. There is more magic
- in that one book than you might suspect. Beginners stuff, yes. But
- also some great effects and sleights.
-
- [RG] This will get you going with cards, coins, rope, mentalism, cups and
- balls, even some stage illusions you can build (if you're handy).
-
-
-
- 2. Performance/Philosophy
-
-
- Burger, Eugene Experience of Magic
- (1989, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] Well-known for his thoughtfulness about performing, Burger does
- offer routines and magic effects, but goes to great lengths to talk
- about the feeling and spirit with which they should be presented.
- Along with people like Fitzkee and Tamariz, Burger should be of
- interest to people who want to read the opinions of someone on how to
- present magic.
-
- [RD] Highest recommendation. Mr. Burger asks "What do we want people
- to experience when we show them a magic trick?" Is "I've been fooled"
- the same as "I feel stupid"? Must we always go for laughs, or can we
- evoke other emotions and still achieve entertainment? READ THIS BOOK.
-
-
- Burger, Eugene The Performance of Close-up Magic
- (1990(?), Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] I liked the latter half of the book starting with Chapter 10 on
- Magic Lectures. I'm sure folks might like the rest, but I liked his
- narratives and opinions best in this book.
-
-
- Burger, Eugene Craft of Magic
- (1984, Willmarth)
-
- [RD] I like all of Mr. Burger's books. He writes about how to be a
- magician, not just how to do tricks. He talks a lot in this book
- about the value of proper practice and rehearsal. Sound obvious? Ok,
- explain the difference between practice and rehearsal.
-
-
- Burger, Eugene Secrets and Mysteries of the Close-up Entertainer
- (1982, Willmarth)
-
- [RD] Another good one. The secrets and mysteries are not "where to
- put your left index finger while doing the diagonal palm shift", but
- "where to put your brain".
-
-
- Carey, Chris Find the Stuff That's You
- (1989, Show-Pro Team)
-
- [RD] I read this once and said "It's content-free". I read it again
- and said "I think he's saying something, but I don't know what". I
- read it again and said "Oh! Oh! Oh!" I guess I'm just slow.
- Seriously, it rewards re-reading, if you have the patience.
-
-
- Fitzkee, Dariel Trick Brain, The
- (19??, Lee Jacobs Productions)
-
- [SD] One of a set of three books on "conjuring psychology" and how to
- "think" magic. Most of what I liked was his division of effects into
- categories and then definition of ways to perform such effects (not in
- detail but generally the kind of look-and-feel the audience would
- get). Though several kinds of effects might be called, for example,
- "levitations," they may appear differently to audiences based on what
- technique is used. An almost academic book classifying magic effects.
-
-
- Galloway, Andrew Diverting Card Magic
- (1980, Galloway)
-
- [RD] Actually a discussion of the techniques of attention control (as
- in misdirection etc) as practiced by the great John Ramsay. Mr.
- Galloway makes his points and illustrates with workable tricks that
- require some skill (you don't need misdirection if you're not doing
- anything), but his point is not how to do the sleights invisibly, but
- how to prevent the spectator from ever becoming suspicious.
-
-
- Kurtz, Gary Misdirection and Direction
- (1990, Kurtz)
-
- [SD] Subtitled "Keys to the Amplification of the Magic Effect," this
- is an unusual little booklet on presentation and audience "control."
-
- [RD] Worth reading, especially for the thoughts on timing and
- "creating the moment" at which the audience's attention is off your
- hands.
-
-
- Nelms, Henning Magic and Showmanship
- (1969, Dover)
-
- [SD] Mainly advice about many aspects of performing magic which uses
- effects to illustrate performance points rather than to teach the
- effects.
-
- [RD] Makes a nice companion to Mr. Burger's "Experience of Magic".
- Nelms argues in favour of consistency - for example, at any given
- venue, you should not pretend to be both a psychic and a magician,
- since this breaks the over-all illusion.
-
- [SFD] Remarkable! The magic isn't too impressive, but the stuff about
- presentation, choosing a character to play on stage, the role of the
- audience, roles of volunteers, ... I found indispensable. If you like
- Mike Close and Eugene Burger on performing philosophy, look this guy
- up.....
-
-
- Roper, Steve Comedy Magic Textbook
- (1986, Snowflake)
-
- [RD] Some people take extreme exception to Mr. Roper's claim that
- comedy magic is "easier" than other kinds. However, here's a little
- experiment you might try: attend an improvisational theatre session,
- and observe how many of the scenes are comedic rather than dramatic.
- I think that what Mr. Roper is saying is that everyone has some
- innate ability to be humourous (especially with self-directed humour),
- while not everyone has the intuitive ability to act out a serious
- role. In this book, Mr. Roper does a fair job of explaining how he
- creates some of his comedy magic (which reads as though it would
- indeed be very funny).
-
-
- Tamariz, Juan Five Points in Magic, The
- (19??, Frakson)
-
- [SD] Using your body in presenting magic: the eyes, the voice, the
- hands, the body, and the feet. Basically discusses how to present
- yourself physically to be more effective. In particular, it focuses
- on misdirection (and direction) of the audience using your body.
-
- [PH] Mike Close wrote if you do not own and read everything published
- by Juan Tamariz, shame on you! "The Five Points in Magic" is very
- good though very pricey. It is mostly a discourse on misdirection
- and controlling the perceptions of your audience...
-
- [FD] I was standing in line waiting to pay the $35+ for "THE FIVE
- POINTS OF MAGIC" after the lecture. The man is a genius when it
- comes to magic and misdirection. The book is theory, not tricks.
- But I almost think that it should be bought AFTER you see him
- perform. You won't appreciate it as much if you purchase it
- before. At 85 pgs, I think it's definitely worth the money, but
- only because I've seen him perform and admire him tremendously.
-
-
-
- 3. For the Beginner
-
-
- Anderson, George Magic Digest
- (1972, DBI Books)
-
- [SD] Don't know where you'd find this, but it is a very nice beginners
- book which opens with basic "rules" for magic and performing. It
- contains nice effects that are easy to learn but effective, covering
- cards, coins, ropes, etc. One particularly interesting effect is "The
- Australian Belt," a gambling trick using a chain (or rope could be
- substituted) which is folded into a figure-8 and then used to
- challenge a spectator to pick which loop would catch the finger and
- which would not. Why even mention this, of all things? I saw David
- Roth do this at a magicians' picnic a few years ago to keep a kid out
- of his way while he did his more interesting coin stuff for the
- adults. It was a memorable distraction and I looked around for it for
- a year until I came upon this book.
-
-
- Hay, Henry The Amateur Magician's Handbook
- (1982, Signet/New American Library)
-
- [SD] Reprint of a 1950 "classic" for the amateur. Lots of basic
- advice, but, as with many older works which just get reprinted rather
- than really updated as to language and layout, the prose is dense.
- Also as in many books (not just older ones reprinted), the photos are
- often dark -- illustrations seem to work out better in magic books
- unless the highest quality photography is used. However, this is a
- good introduction to magic and includes a "modern" section (by The
- Amazing Randi) on using video-tape to practice.
-
- [RG] The stuff here is harder than in Wilson's [Mark Wilson's Course in
- Magic], because that fits Hay's philosophy that if you get good at the hard
- stuff first, you'll be better at the easy stuff later. But it's also more
- thorough than Wilson.
-
-
- Klutz Press The Klutz Book of Magic
- (????, Klutz Press)
-
- [FD] Don't underestimate the Klutz Book of Magic. I sat through a
- great lecture by Eric DeCamps and then realized that the "lecture
- notes" could be the Klutz Book of Magic! There is a ring steal on
- page 58 that is a classic in magic. The demonstrator from The
- Collector's Workshop used this sleight in his demonstration at
- Tannen's Jubilee.
-
-
- Bob Longe The World's Best Card Tricks
- The World's Greatest Card Tricks
- The World's Best Coin Tricks
- (????, ????)
-
- [RG] Despite the hyperbolic titles, these books are pretty good for
- beginners. The coin one takes you through all the basic coin moves, the
- card books a few EASY card moves, and LOTS of tricks employing these
- sleights. And they're CHEAP! You can find them in most larger book stores
- (usually in the games section) for about $6 apiece.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry The Magic Book
- (1977, Putnam)
-
- [SD] A good first book in magic and maybe the cheapest hard back book
- in existence (at $9 [still? - RD]) for its size and specialty topic.
- Lorayne's considered a good author and teacher of magic and this book
- covers basic card and coin sleights and effects as well as a
- smattering of number magic, mental effects, and miscellaneous magic
- with everyday objects.
-
- Tarr, Bill Now You See It, Now You Don't (Vols 1 & 2)
- & Classic Magic Tricks
- (19??, ????)
-
- [SD] Don't have these around at the moment and my mind went
- blank...arrgh! But, for the beginner, the first two of these are
- really recommended. (Supporting videos are available now, I believe.)
- They talk about basic sleights with cards, coins, balls, cigarettes,
- matches, thimbles, silks, etc. The third is an "everything you always
- wanted to know about" certain "platform magic" like how Linking Rings,
- Rice Bowls, etc. are done.
-
-
-
-
- 4. Card Magic
-
-
- Ackerman, Alan Esoterist
- (1971?, Ackerman)
-
- [RD] A small collection of variations for well-known card effects,
- some quite clever, including a number of methods for the "Jack
- sandwich". Not for the beginner.
-
-
- Annemann, Ted 202 Methods of Forcing
- (193?, ????)
-
- [SD] Just what it says. Just about every way is in here (and not just
- for forcing cards either), including stacked decks.
-
-
- Annemann, Ted Annemann's Card Magic
- (1977, Dover)
-
- [SD] Reprint from two prior works from 1943 and 1948. Some nice
- effects that are not hard to do but aren't too "simplistic," i.e.,
- they look harder when you see them performed.
-
-
- Bannon, John Smoke and Mirrors
- (1991, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] Card effects which Bannon feels "surprise" the audience rather
- than "merely challenge" them so that "the impossible thing itself [is]
- unexpected." Actually, his two-page Foreword is a nice little essay
- on magical philosophy as a lead-in to the (31) effects presented.
-
-
- Boudreau, Lou (Leo?) Spirited Pasteboards & Skullduggery
- (1987, 89, Rustic Press)
-
- [SD] Card effects using binary number system counting techniques to
- remember and identify cards, ordering, ranking, etc.
-
-
- Craven, Tom 16th Card Book
- (?,Craven)
-
- [RD] An exploration of a variety of effects that can be achieved by
- positioning a chosen card 16th from the top of the deck. Some tricks
- require perfect faro shuffles.
-
-
- de la Torre, Jose Real Magic
- (1978, de la Torre)
-
- [SD] Nice card effects, including various color changes.
-
-
- Dodson, Goodlette Exhibition Card Fans
- (?,?)
-
- [BB] A classic book is that teaches techniques for producing card
- fans. I bought my copy 15 years ago for $4. Don't know what the
- current price is.
-
-
- Erdnase, S.W. Expert at the Card Table, The
- (1902, Erdnase)
-
- [SD] The classic work on card "manipulation" focused mainly on
- gambling but with some "legerdemain" (literally, "light of hand") as
- well.
-
-
- Erdnase, S.W. and Ortiz, Darwin The Annotated Erdnase
- (?, Magical Publications)
-
- [DP] This book is a gem because it provides a tremendous
- cross-reference of moves, etc. That is, it mentions similar moves and
- variations in hundreds of other books. Few books do this. If you want
- to learn Erdnase - which some people consider mandatory, this is the
- book to get.
-
- [HM] Everything you ever wanted to know about cards is in there. No
- one will ever tell you that it is an easy book to master, and I don't
- know if ANYONE has truly mastered it all (except the Professor), but
- for learning how it should be done, this is the bible. It is a tough
- read, and the annotations and photographs added by Darwin make it an
- exceptional book.
-
-
- Fields, Ed and Schwartz, Michael Invisible Secrets Revealed
- (1976, Sorcerer's Apprentice)
-
- [RD] A booklet on presentations for the marketed trick "The Invisible
- Deck". We should all stop ripping off the Don Alan patter.
-
-
- Fulves, Karl Millennium Aces
- (1981, Fulves)
-
- [RD] Actually a booklet on applications of the half-pass. Some very
- clever methods for this sleight, including the Neil Elias half-pass,
- which is easy to do.
-
-
- Fulves, Karl Kaleidoscope
- (1989, Fulves)
-
- [RD] Fairly heavy card work. Nothing really grabbed me except "Force
- Feed", a very clever, simple, and honest-looking force.
-
-
- Fulves, Karl Self-Working Card Tricks
- & More Self-Working Card Tricks
- (1976 & 1984, Dover)
-
- [SD] Two paperbacks with basic, easy-to-learn and perform card effects
- "for the amateur magician." (From a series of books by Fulves on various
- aspects of easy magic effects.)
-
- [RD] These are all intended to be performable by those with little or no
- technical expertise, and hence rely on subtleties rather than sleights.
- Those who do have the skills will see many ways to dress up the effects.
- Favourite trick from the first book: the O. Henry trick.
-
-
- Ganson, Lewis Inner Secrets of Card Magic
- & More Inner Secrets
- & Further Inner Secrets
- & Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic
- (?,?)
-
- [SD] Several books of stuff from Dai Vernon, the patriarch of LA's
- Magic Castle. Some stuff for the person just beyond the beginner
- stage, but mostly effects of an intermediate nature. Includes
- classics like Twisted Aces.
-
-
- Ganson, Lewis and Endfield, Cy Entertaining Card Magic
- (1955, Supreme)
-
- [SD] The highlight of this book for card sleight fans is the Signed
- Card To Pocket trick which utilizes a variation of Erdnase's diagonal
- palm shift.
-
-
- Garcia, Frank Wildcard Miracles
- (1977, Garcia)
-
- [SD] The "Wildcard" routine and its variations, along with stuff like
- the Ambitious Card, are important intermediate effects to learn once
- you have basic sleights down. This book covers Wildcard well as an
- introduction to the effect Garcia created (though it evolved from
- other work done earlier which he credits).
-
- [RD] Most people seem to credit the original Wild Card to Peter Kane
- these days.
-
-
- Garcia, Frank Elegant Magic of Father Cyprian
- (?,?)
-
- [RD] Mr. Garcia was a great magician, but he couldn't write worth
- beans. His books are exquisite torture, because the magic is so good
- and the explanations are so over-written. This is no exception.
- Favourite trick: Solid Gold Deception.
-
-
- Garcia, Frank Exclusive Card Secrets & Exclusive Card Miracles
- (both 1980, ?)
-
- [RD] Ditto the comments under "Elegant Magic of Father Cyprian". The
- card work is very clever, and the entertainment value is very high.
- Favourite trick: Pinnacle Aces.
-
- Giobbi, Roberto Card College (Volumes 1-4)
- (?, ?)
-
- [PN] The definitive reference for serious card workers. Translated by
- Richard Hatch.
-
-
- Goldstein, Phil Focus
- (1991(?), Hermetic Press)
-
- [SD] The favorite/best card work of Phil Goldstein. Short on
- illustrations, but explanations seem clear enough.
-
-
- Green, Cliff Professional Card Magic
- (1979, Tannen Magic Inc.)
-
- [BD] A wonderful book with a lot of card sleights and techniques very
- well illustrated. Only for experts on card magic.
-
-
- Haines, Ronald 36 Tricks with Fa-Ko Cards
- (?, Haines House of Cards)
-
- [SD] The Fa-Ko deck is filled with bizarrely manufactured cards that
- you can slip into regular decks. This book describes effects to put
- them to use. It covers basic "gimmicked" card ideas and is
- interesting without the actual deck. (Making the cards yourself would
- be difficult, though.)
-
-
- Harris, Paul Supermagic
- (?, ?)
-
- [SD] For those interested in creative, sometimes wacky work.
- Supermagic gives us Reset: a good effect with no gaffes or fakery, just
- the cards themselves.
-
-
- Harris, Paul A Close-Up Kinda Guy
- (?, Tannen)
-
- [SD] Good stuff from Paul Harris with a few bizarre things (like a
- card flipping flourish) thrown in.
-
-
- Harris, Paul Las Vegas Close-up
- (1978, Chuck Martinez Productions)
-
- [BD] In my opinion one of the best book written by Paul. The effect
- "Stapled!" has been for 5 years my forte: a transposition of 2 cards
- which have been stapled together (and one is signed by a spectator!).
- Some improvements to the original effect are possible, but anyway it
- is worth the price of the book. Very interesting also "Gambler vs.
- Mentalist vs. Magician": a triumph effect with a very nice
- presentation. For cards+coins performers is "Silver Slide". 4 coins
- are produced under 4 cards: a good start for your matrix routine.
-
-
- Harris, Paul Close-up Entertainer
- (1979, Chuck Martinez Productions)
-
- [BD] "The Silver Elevator" is dedicated to cards+coins fans: 4 coins, one
- at a time, penetrate up from the table to the center of the deck. Also a
- classical move that every magician performing a matrix effect should know.
- I like very much "Ackerman's Face Lift": another nice transposition of 2
- cards.
-
-
- Hopkins, Charles Outs, Precautions and Challenges
- (?,?)
-
- [DL] A GREAT book for card workers). This is a book of "outs" and
- philosophies therein. Here's a sample of the table of
- contents of the book:
- Whose fault when things go wrong?
- Psychology of Failure
- Attitudes that get cooperation
- Productions from pockets and other places
- First Aid for feeble memories
- "Outs" compared with challenges
- When the unruly spectator "gives you the works"
- What makes an audience get in the way?
- Handling hecklers
-
-
- Hugard, Jean Encyclopedia of Card Tricks
- (1974, Dover)
-
- [SD] A corrected version of a 1937 "classic" which covers over 600
- card effects as well as explaining prearranged decks, gimmicked decks,
- and basic card sleights. Maybe the first book specializing in cards
- that a person would want to get. Simple effects, often tersely
- explained, but a good survey of effects.
-
- [RD] Includes the "Nicola" card system. An early form of MacDonald's
- Aces is in here, as well as French's Aces, which David Williamson
- teaches on his second (I think) video.
-
- [SFD] Lots of tricks, many IMHO long-winded and mechanical. Good
- sections on stripper and svengali decks. I so far like a few ideas,
- but haven't used it much.
-
- Hugard, Jean Card Manipulations "(Series 1-5)
- & More Card Manipulations (Series 1-4)
- (1973 & 1974, Dover)
-
- [SD] Reprints of monographs on various basic (and not so basic) card
- sleights and effects which use them.
-
-
- Hugard, Jean and Braue, Frederick Royal Road to Card Magic
- (1981, Faber)
-
- [SD] One of the "classic" card magic books (originally printed in
- 1949) on all kinds of card sleights. Few actual routines, but much
- useful material on handling cards.
-
-
- Hugard, Jean and Braue, Frederick Expert Card Technique
- (1974, Dover)
-
- [SD] Reprint of 1944 work that is a natural companion to The Royal
- Road to Card Magic. Contains much more material than Royal Road and,
- therefore, may be even a more useful reference once the former's
- sleights are known and practiced.
-
- [RD] Very good, but not a beginner's book. Apparently there was a bit
- of a scandal when this book first appeared, since much of the material
- is unattributed and was included without permission.
-
- [SFD] Lots of detailed directions, medium-quality drawings, dated
- handlings of some sleights (1940's)
-
-
- Jay, Ricky Cards as Weapons
- (?, ?)
-
- [MK] Interesting reading. Jay shows you his techniques for
- throwing cards. It's done VERY tongue-in-cheek and filled with some
- strange photos.
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Secrets of Brother John Hamman
- (1989, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] As creator of one of the basic card count sleights, Hamman's name
- pops up all over in many magic books. A nice collection of card
- magic.
-
- [RD] Favourite trick: The Locked Room. Favourite sleight: his double
- lift. It's my default choice now.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Close-Up Card Magic
- (1976, Tannen)
-
- [SD] Another in Lorayne's series of books on (mostly) card effects.
- (Every book claims he's "giving away the farm.")
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Best of Friends Vol 1 & Vol 2
- (1982 & 1985, Lorayne)
-
- [SD] Two inch-thick volumes of (mostly) card effects from a variety of
- folks who contributed to this collection, including Lorayne himself.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Deck-Sterity
- (1967, D. Robbins & Co.)
-
- [SD] When you're starting to seriously expand your card magic, i.e.,
- you have basic sleights down, Lorayne's books are a good extension of
- what you have learned from more basic books. (But they are all
- relatively expensive books except The Magic Book.)
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Afterthoughts
- (1975, Lorayne)
-
- [SD] Features the Ultra Move and several effects based on it as well
- as a few other "moves" Lorayne likes. Difficult stuff, generally.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Personal Secrets
- (1964, Tannen)
-
- [SD] Some fairly neat stuff once you get other basic card stuff down.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry My Favorite Card Tricks
- (1965, Tannen)
-
- [SD] Not my favorite Lorayne book, but good for folks who like card
- effects and are beyond the basic stuff.
-
- [RD] Favourite trick: Impromptu Out of This World. It kills some people
- who know the working of the original, since you let the spectator shuffle
- the deck.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Reputation-Makers
- (1990, Lorayne)
-
- [SD] More neat stuff from Harry Lorayne for the intermediate to
- advanced card worker.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Rim Shots
- (?, Lorayne)
-
- [SD] More neat stuff from Harry Lorayne for the intermediate to
- advanced card worker.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Trend-Setters
- (?, Lorayne)
-
- [SD] More neat stuff from Harry Lorayne for the intermediate to
- advanced card worker.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Quantum Leaps
- (?, Lorayne)
-
- [SD] More neat stuff from Harry Lorayne for the intermediate to
- advanced card worker. What I liked about this book was that is
- contained material he does on video, so, after having seen it
- performed a few times through the video, I had a reference to go to at
- some point.
-
-
- MacDougall, Michael Card Mastery
- (1975, Tannen)
-
- [SD] This book contains card "manipulation" skills, especially for
- gambling, and is actually material from the late 1930's. However, the
- major attraction of the book is that it includes the complete text of
- Erdnase's The Expert at the Card Table.
-
- [RD] Wrt Erdnase, you might also consider Dai Vernon's "Revelations",
- which is basically a page by page commentary and explanation of the
- Erdnase book. It also contains the complete Erdnase text.
-
-
- Mentzer, Jerry Counts, Cuts, Moves, and Subtlety
- (1977, Mentzer)
-
- [SD] An important text on important card manipulation, focusing, as
- the title suggests, on ways to false count cards, cut them, spread
- them to conceal cards, etc. Worthwhile having, though the material is
- covered many other places, simply because it is all here in one place.
-
-
- Mentzer, Jerry Basic Skill With Cards
- (1981, Mentzer)
-
- [SD] A very useful booklet covering false cuts and shuffles, controls,
- sleights (like the "glide"), forces, and palming.
-
-
- Mentzer, Jerry Fechter
- (?,?)
-
- [DP] A tribute to the late great Eddie Fechter, legend of the Forks
- Hotel. Lots of Fechter bits and tricks. Most things are simple and
- direct, wasting no time so that the spectators will buy another beer.
- No gaffes, no stories. Some things are brilliant, most good. Easy to
- difficult. Includes entire text of "Magician Nitely".
-
-
- Minch, Stephen The Collected Works of Alex Elmsley, Vol I
- (1991(?), L&L Publishing)
-
- [SD] The objective of this two-volume set of Elmsley is to cover his
- work completely. Only this first volume is available at this point.
- Besides lots of interesting card work, including Elmsley's own
- explanations of his "ghost" count known to most as the Elmsley Count,
- there is a lecture "On the Theory and Practice of Magic." Minch states
- that Vol II will contain, among other things, the performance portion
- of the lecture in full detail. Minch says this lecture was highly
- regarded when Elmsley toured the U.S.A. many years ago.
-
- [RD] An outstanding book. Elmsley was a subtle thinker, (he's still
- alive, but not active in magic) and many of his creations are simply
- brilliant. A few of the effects in this book (which contains dozens
- of tricks) involve more "dealing through the deck" than is popular
- right now, but I think that for the right audience, these tricks go
- over quite well. Favourite trick: Serendipity (a fantastic
- "collectors").
-
-
- Minch, Stephen Vernon Chronicles, The vols. 1-3
- (198?, 198?, 198?, L&L Publ.)
- & Lost Inner Secrets Volume 1
- (1987, L&L Publishing)
-
- [SD] Several books of stuff from Dai Vernon, the patriarch of LA's
- Magic Castle. Mostly cards. Some stuff for the person just beyond
- the beginner stage, but mostly effects of an intermediate nature.
- Includes classics like Twisted Aces and Triumph.
-
-
- Minch, Stephen Daryl's Ambitious Card Omnibus
- (1987, ?)
-
- [SD] (Actually written in 1985.) Contains an entire history of the
- Ambitious Card effect and shows various ways to present/use it. An
- excellent book on a single effect and its variations.
-
-
- Minch, Stephen Larry Jennings' Neoclassics
- (1987, L&L Publishing)
-
- [SD] Subtitled "Three Complete Lesson in Professional Card
- Presentation," this book has three effects embellishing more familiar
- themes: the card in the orange, the spectator finds the aces, and
- cards across.
-
-
- Nash, Martin Ever So Sleightly
- & Any Second Now
- & Sleight Unseen
- (1975, 77, 79, Micky Hades International)
-
- [SD] Subtitled "The Professional Card Technique of Martin A. Nash,"
- this series covers, as the subtitle suggests, covers many basic -- and
- not-so-basic -- card sleights and techniques, using effects to
- demonstrate them. A good book for the intermediate magician, but
- pretty technical and detailed for a newcomer.
-
-
- Ortiz, Darwin Darwin Ortiz at the Card Table
- (?, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] Ortiz is a sheer genius with cards and gambling tricks. He
- lectures to police and security folks, consults with casinos, etc.
- The stuff in this book is really hard to do, for the most part.
- Seeing Ortiz is better than reading about what he does. But there are
- a few things here that are within the realm of human possibility!
-
- [RD] Favourite trick: Modern Jazz Aces.
-
-
- Osterlind, Richard Breakthrough Card System
- (?,Busby)
-
- [RD] A mathematical system for stacking a deck that leaves it looking
- totally random (and hence examinable), but which permits all of the
- effects possible with Si Stebbins, Eight Kings, etc, and other stacks
- that will not bear inspection. At $5, this is a bargoon! I always
- carry this with me, and use it for a "just think of a card"
- presentation. It astonishes.
-
-
- Ouellet, Gary Procontrol
- (?,Camirand)
-
- [RD] If you buy this for the advertised effect, be prepared to be VERY
- disappointed. Exactly the same technique is explained in complete
- detail in Bill Severn's Magic Workshop, which is probably in your
- public library. However, Procontrol contains a tutorial on the spread
- pass which is great - it's worth the price of the book, if you are
- interested in simple and deceptive methods for the pass (so who
- isn't?).
-
-
- Racherbaumer, John The Wild Card Kit: A Modular Experiment
- (1992,?)
-
- [SD] Racherbaumer has put together a "theme" book just on the Wild
- Card effect which he states comes originally from Brother John
- Hamman's "The Mystic Nine" and became the Wild Card through Peter Kane
- (whose handling is part of the book). The book breaks the effect into
- several stages and shows variations at each point, including a version
- with plain cards that can be handed out to the audience. (Though less
- extensive, it is like Daryl's Ambitious Card Omnibus.) There is a nice
- bibliography as well for those who wish to pursue the subject further.
- All in all, it's a compact coverage of a 'classic' effect (and even
- comes with the requisite packet of cards).
-
-
- Racherbaumer, John Universal Card, The
- (1975, Tannen)
-
- [SD] Like "Wildcard" and the "Ambitious Card," this is a basic routine
- with many variations. Racherbaumer's book covers the subject well and
- gives a history of the effect.
-
-
- Ross, Faucett Early Vernon
- (1962, Magic Inc.)
-
- [RD] Dai Vernon's earliest creations continue to impress. These
- tricks were marketed to a small group of magicians by giving them a
- complete description of the effects, then offering to sell the
- workings. The famous "psychological force" is in here.
-
-
- Scarne, John Scarne on Cards Tricks
- (1950, Signet/New American Library)
-
- [SD] Paperback of card effects that you can probably find in any mall
- book store.
-
- [RD] Contains simplified handlings (virtually no sleights anywhere) of
- a number of well-known plots. Not to be scorned because of general
- availability.
-
-
- Sharpe, Alton Expert Card Mysteries
- (1975, Tannen Magic Inc.)
-
- [BD] A collection of moves and card tricks from Tony Kardyro, Frank
- Lane, Alton Sharpe itself and many others. There are special sections
- dedicated to Larry Jennings, Paul Swinford and Ed Marlo.
-
-
- Sharpe, Alton Expert Card Conjuring & Chicanery
- (1976, D. Robbins and Co.)
-
- [BD] Another collection of card tricks from the world experts. The
- special sections on the most important sleights and effects by Marlo
- are the most valuable parts of the book. You will find for example:
- the Perfect False Riffle Shuffle, Marlo Slip Cuts, Double Lift
- Substitutes, many Triumphs, etc.
-
-
- Simon, Frank Versatile Card Magic
- (1983, Magical Publications)
-
- [SD] Has great food for thought. His Versatile Spread Controls were a
- fad among young card workers in Japan. This is one of those books
- that makes you want to go out and show somebody what you just learned.
- Really nice card control. Not entirely original, although the
- handling described sees print for the first time.
-
-
- Stevenson, Al 75 Tricks with a Svengali Deck
- (1964, Wizard's Workshop)
-
- [SD] As it sounds, a book on how to use this gimmicked deck.
-
-
- Stevenson, Al 75 Tricks with a Stripper Deck
- (1962, Wizard Books)
-
- [SD] As it sounds, a book on how to use this gimmicked deck.
-
-
- Tamariz, Juan Sonata
- (?, Frakson)
-
- [DP] Interesting collection of moves, theory and detailed routines.
- Senor Tamariz loves to out-think his audience, and a number of the
- routines are crafted with immense care and delight. There is,
- however, a huge variation in level of difficulty and value throughout.
-
-
-
- 5. Coin Magic
- Andrus, Jerry Five Dollar Tricks
- (1973, J A Enterprises))
-
- [RD] Silver dollars, that is. This booklet (five routines) includes a
- nice effect of producing coins from a dollar bill which is continually
- shown on both sides.
-
-
- Bobo, J.B. New Modern Coin Magic
- (1966, Magic, Inc.)
-
- [SD] The "classic" book on all aspects of coin magic. If you're going
- to do coin magic, this is a book you need to have.
-
- [E?] the standard, very complete with sleights and effects, although some
- of the effects are considered "dated" by some. There are two versions
- available, a Dover paperback for under $10.00 and a hard cover (called "New
- Modern Coin Magic" with about 100 extra pages of sleights and routines)
- which is available for about $30.00
-
-
-
- Fulves, Karl Self-Working Coin Magic
- (1989, Dover)
-
- [SD] Easy to learn and perform effects with coins for beginning
- magicians.
-
-
- Futagawa, Shigeo Introduction to Coin Magic
- (1978, Borden Publishing Co.)
-
- [JB] An excellent introduction to coin magic. This book includes
- many, clear, line-drawing illustrations. Most common sleights are
- well-described and illustrated together with quite a few effects.
- This book is not as extensive as Bobo or Roth, but very good for
- beginners in coin magic.
-
-
- Jennings, Nina et al Larry Jennings on Card and Coin Handling
- (1977, Jeff Busby Magic Inc.)
-
- [SD] A booklet which, besides cards and coins, includes Larry
- Jennings' Chop Cup routine. It's based on magic lectures Jennings
- developed in 1967 and 1970
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Coinmagic
- (1981, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] A collection of coin magic routines from many people, compiled by
- Richard Kaufman. After Bobo's book, perhaps the most useful
- intermediate coin magic book. As usual, the illustrations are very
- good.
-
- [E?] an excellent book of "new" sleights and effects by a number of
- current coin manipulators, most notably David Roth (not the guy from
- Van Halen!). It covers a few of the basic sleights, including the
- shuttle pass and Roth's handling of the Retention Vanish, but it is
- assumed that you have some background in coins (which can be obtained
- in Bobo). The effects vary from intermediate to difficult. "Hanging
- coins" is a popular effect from the book.
-
-
- Kurtz, Gary Coin Magic
- (1990, Kurtz)
-
- [SD] Booklet of good stuff to move a beginning coin worker along.
-
-
- Roth, David Expert Coin Magic
- (1985, D. Robbins)
-
- [SD] Originally published by Richard Kaufman, this book covers most of
- the things you will have seen Roth do over the years. As perhaps the
- most skilled coin magician in modern magic, Roth sets technical
- standards with his work. The book, like most of what Kaufman has
- published, has fine illustrations. Highly recommended for someone who
- really wants to get into coin magic by learning some nice (but not
- easy) routines.
-
- [DH] A pricey and hard to find book, I have been coveting this for
- some time. The sheer volume of material kind of overwhelms you,
- somewhat like opening Bobo for the first time. The up side is that the
- writing and drawings are of the highest quality. If the drawings where
- photos, I would have said this was the perfect magic book. The book is
- well organized into 3 sections: general coin magic, coin box magic,
- and some of David's major routines. I found lots of material that I
- could master, plus lots that I probably never will (routines where you
- classic palm 4 coins the whole time until the end...Not). I thought
- the coin box stuff was the most unique. He has tons of Okito (and all
- the variations of the coin box) routines that never use a turnover.
- Very clever. A definite "must have" for anyone doing coins. Now if
- only I could afford some of Roth's videos.
-
- [E?] this book was out of print, but I believe that it has been
- reprinted by Robbins. This is an awesome tome of very modern moves
- and routines covering the effects and technique of David Roth. It has
- sections on coin box routines and includes Roth's famous "Portable
- Hole" routine. A must-have for any serious student of coin magic.
-
-
- Simmons, Ken Scotch and Soda (Parts 1 and 2)
- (1982, 86, Magic City)
-
- [SD] Two booklets on how to use the Scotch 'n' Soda effect. I
- actually picked these up in Disney's Magic Kingdom Magic Shop in Walt
- Disney World -- Disneyland's is, overall, a superior shop, but both
- had decent booklets on magic.
-
-
-
-
- 6. Card & Coin Combinations
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Complete Works of Derek Dingle, The
- (1982, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] Derek Dingle does (mostly) cards and this work by Kaufman covers
- most of the stuff the folks associate with Derek. A good modern book
- on card magic, but not easy by any means.
-
- [DP] Includes some truly classic effects. Others have bewildering
- descriptions. Many items with gaffed cards and coins. Lots of clues
- for the development of useful sleights (e.g., Silent Steal, Zarrow
- shuffle, Riffle Pass, Double lift -- Dingle's is the best I've seen).
- Favorite effect: Regal Royal Flush.
-
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Williamson's Wonders
- (1989, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] Magic from a well-respected "new" name. People who have seen
- David Williamson perform/lecture seem to really like him. Definitely
- good card/coin stuff here.
-
-
- Kaufman, Richard Sankey Pankey
- (1986, Kaufman & Greenberg)
-
- [SD] The works of Jay Sankey, including Forgery - An amazing routine
- that gets great mileage out of a simple duplicate marked card. The
- effect: A card is marked with a big X. X mark 'jumps' from back to
- face, to back, and then... Split Ends - Anyone who has ever seen or
- read the late Nate Leipzeig's Knife between two selected cards trick
- will appreciate this fresh new treatment. Apparently, Stephen Minch
- proposed the idea and solution of doing it with one card, that is card
- stabbing into the layers of a selected card. Jay's handling is really
- ingenious and one of my favorites. Some really twisted coin effects
- are also in this 121 page hard cover book making a great treat to the
- magician that is looking for a book with more than just one good trick
- in it.
-
- [RD] This book also contains the "card through balloon" trick that
- Copperfield did on TV. It was my favourite trick from the book before
- that, and still is.
-
-
- Kurtz, Gary Continuations ... Departures, 1&2
- (1988, Kurtz)
-
- [SD] Another booklet on coin magic plus a few things with cards.
-
-
- Lorayne, Harry Star Quality - The Magic of David Regal
- (1987, Lorayne)
-
- [RD] Mostly cards, but also some coins (and even Q-tips!). This is a
- fine book. Mr. Regal is very creative, and very conscious of the
- visual aspects of magic. Favourite trick: Divining Card.
-
-
- Maxwell, Mike Classic Magic of Larry Jennings
- (198?, L&L Publishing)
-
- [SD] Just a ton of stuff with cards (and some coins).
-
- [RD] An outstanding book. Favourite trick: The Visitor - an absolute
- classic.
-
- [TN] The BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD!!!! If you want to learn how to do
- first-rate card tricks (I do), go out and find the Larry Jennings book.
- This guy is the absolute Ninja. He is right up there with Brother Hamman.
- I mean it. You won't regret it.
-
-
-
- Maxwell, Mike Commercial Magic of J.C. Wagner
- (198?, L&L Publishing)
-
- [SD] One of the most respected of magic's "underground" names. Wagner
- was, like many other magicians, a bartender who did his magic in (or
- at) the bar.
-
- [RD] This is available in soft cover now. A great book for the money.
- Favourite trick: The Assembly.
-
-
- Minch, Stephen Carneycopia
- (?, L&L Publishing)
-
- [DP] Simple, direct material, mostly without gaffes. Very well written and
- explained. Many strong sequences and a few routines. Some really
- clever ideas, but the better stuff is often the most difficult. Easy
- to impossible. No crystals or toy mice here.
-
-
- Ouellet, Gary Close-Up Illusions
- (1990, Camirand Academy of Magic)
-
- [SD] A fine book on different approaches to common sleights such as
- the French Drop, Double Lift, etc. A companion video-tape can be
- purchased that shows all the sleights performed -- probably worthwhile
- (at $20) since seeing magic performed is more important than being
- told about it or looking at pictures.
-
- [FD] I think it's a great book. It is very well written, and is
- loaded with tips. There's a section on the "Cigarette through the
- Coin" which is great. Gary writes about how all of us sometimes buy a
- prop which then ends up in a drawer because we think it's too
- difficult to use. He uses this trick as an example and then proceeds
- to tell you how the effect can be done effectively and be a killer. I
- tried it and it was great! The effect had previously sat in a drawer
- for over a year. I've also met Gary at conventions and he is a real
- gentleman. He is willing to spend time with you just to say hello or
- to discuss an effect. The last time I spoke to him and told him I
- much I liked the book, he told me that the Modified Kosky Illusion at
- the end of the book was worth the price of the book. He then
- proceeded to show me the effect.
-
- [JB] I have an extensive library and this is my favorite. Most items
- in the book are explained in terms that anyone can understand. I am a
- technical writer and have found few books on magic written so clearly.
- If you are primarily interested in close-up magic, then definitely buy
- this book.
-
- [DH] I bought this book a couple months ago to take on a business
- trip. I didn't put it down until I was done (~400 pages). Gary really
- brings a fresh attitude to magic and it comes out in his writing. The
- book is filled to the brim with photos (over 500, many with multiple
- angle shots on the same move). He covers a lot of card stuff. One
- criticism I have is the space spent on describing about 10 different
- double lifts. There are many "building block" moves that could be used
- in other routines. There is also a fair amount of coin magic. He does
- a treatise on the French drop which is quite interesting. Also gives
- about 5 different variations on it. The big win factor for this book
- is that the many photos make it easy to learn from. The magic ranges
- from simple (the first trick is a variation on the ColorView cube we
- all got in our first magic set) to the difficult (card moves in
- particular). The only other criticism I have with the book (or any
- magic book for that matter) is several references to other books he
- has written. I hate that, particularly when they are the "now use the
- move I described in X but won't describe here because you obviously
- have my other book" variety.
-
- I liked the book so well that I bought the companion video about a
- month later (I am on a monthly magic budget). This is an idea that is
- long overdue. The video shows all the sleights as they would appear
- when performed. He (generally) does not show an entire routine or a
- slo-mo version of the sleight. Gary goes to great lengths to state
- that it is not a teaching video, but to show you how a move looks. It
- really gave me a sense of the timing needed to make the moves
- work. The video quality is not high, but then neither is the price,
- compared to any other video you would buy. It looks like Gary and his
- publisher just set up the camcorder in the living room and went to
- work. Don't get me wrong, everything is very visible and clear and
- this is a valuable tool when combined with the book.
-
- [DP] - some valuable tips on hand care
- - chapter on the classic force with excellent suggestions (as an
- aside, if someone claims to be able to classic force the same
- card on 100 people in a row (as G.O. does) this says more about
- the people with which the magician associates than the magician
- himself. _Nobody_ can classic force with success on my S.O. for
- example --- she reaches over with both hands :-)
- - some good card effects and handling tips
- - dice stacking chapter
-
-
- Powers, Michael Top Secret Stuff
- (?, ?)
-
- [MK] This book is mostly card effects with some coin and other
- objects. There are some effects that are very difficult. Some of the
- moves needed for the effects are Marlo's ATFUS, kelly bottom, a
- pass... Definitely not for the beginner.
-
-
-
-
- 7. Mentalism
-
-
- Annemann, Ted Practical Mental Magic
- (1983, Dover)
-
- [SD] Reprint of a 1944 Annemann book which is one of the basic texts
- for learning mentalism.
-
- [SFD] This is a view into another world for me - the world between
- magic and the con game. Audacious - some day I'll get the nerve to try
- some of this stuff! Much outdated equipment, but a lot of this stuff
- looks to me like it would work and be very commercial.
-
-
- Becker, Larry Larry Becker's World of Super Mentalism (two volumes)
- (1978, Tannen)
-
- [SD] Some nice mentalism effects that are not hard to do.
-
-
- Corinda 13 Steps to Mentalism
- (1968, Tannen)
-
- [SD] A "classic" work but, some feel, flawed because it often obscures
- the important stuff it has to say with a lot of verbiage. (However,
- older books often seem to be written very pompously.)
-
-
- Fulves, Karl Self-Working Mental Magic
- (?, Dover)
-
- [RD] A collection of basic methods for a variety of mental magic,
- including predictions, psychometry, book tests, etc. Favourite trick:
- "bill-halves into the sealed envelope" - DEADLY!
-
- Waters, T.A. Mind Myth & Magic
- (?, ?)
-
- [?] Another classic work. 800 page book with over 200 mental effects.
-
-
-
- 8. Other Magic
-
-
- Albenice Reel Magic
- (1950, Tannen)
-
- [SD] The main treatise on use of "the reel." Like many such "classic"
- works, it shows its age, but is still one of the only books on this
- topic.
-
-
- Anderson, Gene and Marshall, Frances Newspaper Magic
- (1968, Magic Inc.)
-
- [RD] A wide variety of tricks using newspaper, including Anderson's
- award-winning paper-tearing and paper-folding act. Anderson's
- torn-and-restored newspaper is something of a classic. It's my
- favourite trick in this book.
-
-
- Caveney, Mike Harry Anderson - Wiseguy
- (?,?)
-
- [MK] As a HA fan I loved this book. It filled with great stories
- and every routine that Anderson is known for is explained -- Marked,
- Gang of Four, Skippy (Needle thru arm is not really explained, but it
- is discussed...)
-
-
- Fitzkee, Dariel Rope Eternal
- (1984, D. Robbins & Co.)
-
- [SD] Robbins edition of a 1956 monograph on "The Only Six Ways to
- Restore a Rope" which focuses on the Cut-and-Restored Rope effects.
- Includes numerous effects based on these techniques. Basic book for
- folks who are interested in this effect and its variations.
-
-
- Fulves, Karl Self-Working Paper Magic
- (1985, Dover)
-
- [SD] Easy to learn and perform effects with paper for beginning
- magicians. Many based on "topology" tricks, paper folding, and
- effects with money.
-
-
- Ganson, Lewis Reelistic Magic
- (?, Supreme)
-
- [RD] A small collection of tricks using reels. A bit more modern than
- Albenice's book, but still dated.
-
-
- James, Stewart Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks for Magicians
- (1975, Dover)
-
- [SD] Reprint of a 1945 work covering all aspects of magic with ropes
- covering knots, penetrations (one and two rope varieties), cut- and
- restored, the "Hindoo" rope trick, and miscellaneous effects.
-
- [SFD] I find this book outstanding; clear and imaginative, with many
- alternate workings for tricks.
-
-
- Marci, Jill The Art of Clowning
- (1993, ?)
-
- [JM] I have authored a book called the art of clowning...It's been
- reviewed in Genii Magazine...the book deals with children's magic,
- nightclub magic, magician versus clown magic, magic at festivals,
- fairs, on television. It also deals with designing a clown face,
- animal balloons, puppetry. Promotional ideas, selling yourself, plus
- more. 62 pages book sells for $12.50 plus $5.00 shipping and handling
- Foreword to the book is written by Goldfinger and Dove.
-
-
- Marshall, Frances The Sponge Book
- (?, Magic Inc.)
-
- [SD] Lots of advice (in a small booklet) on sponge magic, including
- explanation of Al Goshman's routine with the invisible purse.
-
-
- Mishell, Ed and Abe Hurwitz ELASTRIX
- (1979, Magico Magazine)
-
- [HS] Rubber Bands - Tricks, Stunts and Puzzles
-
-
- Novak, Bob Jack Miller's Famous Linking Ring Routine
- (1976, Tannen)
-
- [SD] Reprint of a 1945 monograph on one well-known Linking Ring
- routine which includes a variety of ways to display rings during the
- routine. One could take these individual ideas and craft shorter
- routines as well as reorder the one that's here.
-
-
- Penn and Teller How to Play with Your Food
- (?,?)
-
- [Anonymous] Got the book last week-end, spent all afternoon reading
- it, almost wet myself. Definitely worth the price, but don't get your
- hopes up about the included gimmicks, they're pretty lame. NOTE: the
- sugar packets originally supplied were defective and have been
- recalled.
-
-
- Penn & Teller Penn & Teller's Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends
- (?,?)
-
- [MK] I guess there are actual tricks in here, but its mostly fun
- stories. They do explain how to cut & restore a snake and how to
- annoy Letterman. A must for any P&T fan.
-
-
- Rice and Van Zandt Through the Dye Tube
- (1971, Silk King Studios)
-
- [SD] Reprint of a 1943 document on use of the dye tube for vanishing,
- producing, and performing color changes with silks. A basic text on
- working with a dye tube for silks.
-
-
- Seabrooke, Terry Around the World with a Baking Tin
- (?,?)
-
- [MK] Terry gives his routine for his burned bill and linking rings.
- He also includes tips for the MC and worker. Interesting reading,
- good stories, but I'm not sure I'll use anything in it.
-
-
- Shute, Merlyn How-To Book of the Chop Cup
- (1980, Morrissey Magic Ltd)
-
- [SD] A monograph on the use of the Chop Cup.
-
-
- Shute, Merlyn Out of Your Pocket
- (?, Morrissey Magic Ltd)
-
- [RD] More than the title suggests, this booklet gives some pointers
- for choosing effects to perform professionally in a restaurant
- setting, choosing a professional name, etc. Favourite trick: Sid
- Lorraine's handling for the cut and restored rope.
-
-
- Shute, Merlyn How-To Book of the Zombie
- (1983, Morrissey Magic Ltd)
-
- [SD] A monograph on the use of the Zombie.
-
-
- Shute, Merlyn Cups, Cups, Cups
- (1980, Morrissey Magic Ltd)
-
- [SD] A monograph on the use of the Cups and Balls.
-
-
- Walsh, Audley Sponge Ball Manipulations
- (1940, Tannen)
-
- [RD] A booklet of routines using mostly standard, but also some
- non-standard sponge balls. Includes the "Master Routine". Some
- clever moves, but the routines are very dated.
-
-
- Weigle, Oscar and Dell, Alan Money Magic of Mike Bornstein, The
- (1980, Magico Magazine)
- Lees, Walt More Money Magic of Mike Bornstein
- (198?, Magico Magazine)
- Bornstein, Mike Latest Money Magic of Mike Bornstein
- (1988, Bornstein)
-
- [SD] Set of three booklets on magic with dollar bills: floating them,
- folding them, tearing them, etc.
-
-
- Willmarth, Phillip Ring and Rope Book (Vol One)
- (1976, Willmarth)
-
- [SD] A survey of things to do with rope and a single ring (metal or
- wooden). For those who do the Linking Rings and or rope effects,
- maybe you'd like putting them together for some variety. (Some folks
- like to do this sort of stuff with silks and rings.)
-
- [RD] This is a fine book, but it has more typos per page ("left hand"
- instead of "right hand", etc) than any other I've seen. Once you sort
- them out, some of the tricks are great. Favourite trick: Quicksilver.
-
-
-
-
- 9. History/Reference
-
-
- Alfredson, James and Daily, George A Bibliobraphy of Conjuring Periodicals
- in English: 1791 - 1983
- (1986, Magic of Collectors)
-
- [GH] This bibliography lists over 7500 periodicals. It is the bible for
- magazine collectors. Enough said.
-
-
- Blackstone, Harry Jr. The Blackstone Book of Magic and Illusion
- (?, ?)
-
- [MK] A nice picture book of magical history. Naturally there's
- lots of stuff about his dad and himself, but it's interesting. He
- also includes some simple tricks at the end.
-
-
- Christopher, Milbourne Illustrated History of Magic, The
- (1973, Crowell)
-
- [SD] A very nice history of magic book. A "coffee table" book, but
- good information.
-
- [RD] Is this the book where Christopher perpetuates the myth about one
- of the pyramids of Egypt containing a picture of a magician performing
- the cups and balls?
-
-
- Clark, Hyla World's Greatest Magic, The
- (1976, Tree Communications)
-
- [SD] A "coffee table" book about personalities in magic both past and
- present (around the time of this book, e.g., Doug Henning). An
- interesting book, however, for those who want to know about some of
- the folks who have (and do) make a name for magic. The book also
- discusses some magic effects (including large stage illusions) and how
- they are done in a special section by The Amazing Randi.
-
-
- Clark, Sidney The Annals of Conjuring
- (1983, Magico Magazine)
-
- [GH] This is a reprint of series that ran in "The Magic Wand" from 1924-1928.
- The one book I would take to a desert island. The greatest history of magic
- written. This is one of the books that you can read at the beach. While the
- level of detail is amazing, Clark's style of writing is so enjoyable that
- it seems an easy read. This book covers the magic in England and Europe up
- until the early 1900's.
-
-
- Coleman, Earle Magic: A Reference Guide
- (1987, Greenwood Press)
-
- [GH] It discusses 100's of magic books, and is a rather hard read.
-
-
- Cox, J. Randolph Man of Magic and Mystery: A Guide to the Work of
- Walter B. Gibson
- (1988, Scarecrow Press)
-
- [JC] I visited him often in the last decade of his life and took most
- of my notes for the book from his own collection and from interviews
- with him. A fascinating man.
-
-
- Dawes, Edwin The Great Illusionists
- (1979, Chartwell Books)
-
- [GH] One of my favorites. It contains some wonderful chapters on some far
- reaching areas of magic history. Everything from learned animals to
- Houdini. The depth of research is amazing, one of the best reference work
- around. It is based on Dawes's series of articles in the "Magic Circular".
- Well illustrated, this book can be picked up in used book stories for
- around $5.
-
-
- Dawes, Edwin and Setterington, Arthur Encyclopedia of Magic, The
- (1986, Gallery Books)
-
- [SD] Mainly a "picture book" (color and B&W) discussing the history of
- magic and some of its major categories such as escapes, stage
- illusions, mentalism, levitations, card magic, etc. Also includes
- some current -- at the time of the book and shortly before --
- personalities.
-
- [RD] No relation, at least not that we can determine.
-
-
- Fisher, John Paul Daniels and the Story of Magic
- (1987, Jonathan Cape Ltd)
-
- [RD] Basically a rave-up about Daniels (who is admittedly pretty
- good), but also has a lot of interesting information about the
- development of magic as an entertainment form.
-
-
- Forrester, Stephen A Bibliography of Magic Classics
- (1993, limited edition of 150)
-
- [GH] This books covers the writings of 58 authors, and has an extensive
- bibliography of publications on magic collecting. This is a must have if you
- are into magic book collecting. Last I heard the only copies left are the
- leather bound ones at $200 plus.
-
-
- Gibson, Walter The Master Magicians
- (1966, Citadel)
-
- [RD] Historical and biographical information about the greats of years
- gone by. Interesting stuff.
-
-
- Gill, Robert Magic as a Performing Art
- (1976, Bowker)
-
- [GH] A nice general overview of just over 1000 magic books.
-
-
- Jay, Ricky Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women
- (?,?)
-
- [MK] Jay describes a section of entertainment not commonly found.
- The man who grows, folks with strange mental powers, pig-faced ladies,
- people who musically expel intestinal gas -- Not your typical
- magicians. I have read the book and I still can't remember how Max
- Malini got into this bunch.
-
-
- Pecor, Charles The Magician on the American Stage 1752 - 1874
- (1977, Emerson and West)
-
- [GH] This is Charles Pecor's PhD thesis, and what a thesis it is. It gives a
- detailed history of the growth of magic in America up until the late
- 1800's. Based on searches through newspaper files, books and other records,
- he really does a great job of breathing life into early American magic.
-
-
-
- Price, David Magic: A Pictoral History of Conjuring in the Theatre
- (1985, Cornwall Books)
-
- [GH] This is the single best history of magic in English. It covers the greats
- and not so greats in more detail than you want. It contains 100's of
- illustrations and has a wonderful color poster section. If you only have
- one book on magic history, this is the one to have. It costs about $60.
-
-
- Randi, James Conjuring
- (1992, St. Martin's Press)
-
- [MK] Some nice photos. Some historical & biographical info. Still
- not sure how Randi decided who to include in the book -- its
- impossible to include everyone.
-
-
- Stott, Raymond Toole A Bibliography of English Conjuring 1581-1876
- (1976, Harpur and Sons)
- & A Bibliography of English Conjuring 1569-1876,
- Volume Two
- (1978, Harpur and Sons)
-
- [GH] These two volumes are the book collector's bible, enough said.
-
-
- Waters, T.A. Encyclopedia of Magic and Magicians
- (1988, Facts On File Publ.)
-
- [SD] Just what is sounds like: a one-volume reference book on people,
- effects, and places related to magic. Can't think of a better book to
- have for such purposes given its reasonable price ($20). It doesn't
- explain effects but tells you what they are about, i.e., explains the
- parlance of the magical arts. Includes some photographs of
- personalities mentioned.
-
-
-
-
- 10. Business Issues in Magic
-
-
- Charles, Kirk Standing Up Surrounded
- (1989, Hermetic Press)
-
- [SD] Advice about performing in a crowd on your feet with a Foreword
- by Eugene Burger. Covers the kinds of bookings you're likely to get
- requiring such performance conditions and deals with subjects like
- "Food and Drink," "Problem Audiences" (e.g., children, repeaters,
- drunks, jerks, and -- ta-da -- The Exposer), "Promoting," "Selling,"
- sample contracts, and advice on selecting material for such venues.
-
-
- Charles, Kirk Manual of Restaurant Magic
- (1987, Conjurers' Press)
-
- [SD] Just what it sounds like: advice on performing in restaurants --
- Foreword by Eugene Burger. Sections cover preparation, booking,
- selling, and, of most concern, the actual working of such an audience.
- As opposed to standing up and walking around, it is likely you'll be
- sitting at individual tables with a small group (though some may end
- up behind you). It talks about getting tips and getting away from a
- group politely, too.
-
-
- Ulman, Al Business of Restaurant Magic
- (?,?)
-
- [RD] This covers much of the same ground as Kirk Charles's book. Lots
- of sound advice for starting out as a restaurant magician.
-
-
-
-
- 11. Performing for Children
-
-
- Easley, Bert Doing Magic for Youngsters
- (1972, D. Robbins)
-
- [RD] From the style, I think this was written much earlier than 1972.
- Even so, it contains a wealth of advice that is valid today.
-
-
- Ginn, David Children Laugh Louder
- (1978, Scarlett Green)
-
- [RD] Basically a collection of routines and gags that Mr. Ginn has
- used (in 300 shows per year) and found to be amusing for school-age
- children. Some very useful ideas. I've used his "Silk Illusion"
- opener with good results.
-
-
- Ginn, David Professional Magic for Children
- (1976, Scarlett Green)
-
- [RD] Lots of intelligent advice from an expert. Tells you how to
- construct a show for children, including proper sequencing of effects.
- Also includes several routines to illustrate the points. Get this one
- before you get Children Laugh Louder.
-
-
- --
- PN
-
-
-