Magic Books

Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic

Mark Wilson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 52 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

All praise for this is justified 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Many times applauded, this classic for teaching magic is practically unequaled. If you want to learn magic from scratch, this book is what you need.

Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is wonderful for anyone wanting to learn magic tricks. This book explains how each trick will appear to the audience and then gives very detailed instructions with drawings showing each step. I used the information in the book to teach rope tricks to a bunch of third grade cubscouts. The parents were so impressed with the tricks that they wanted to learn them too.

Editorial Review:

From one of the world's premier practitioners of classic magic, with years of experience instructing younger readers in the magical arts, comes this new revision of his complete guide to learning and performing fantastic feats of prestidigitation. Acclaimed by the Los Angeles Times as "the text that young magicians swear by," it's full of step-by-step instructions. More than 2,000 illustrations provide the know-how behind 300 techniques, from basic card tricks to advanced levitation, along with advice on planning and staging a professional-quality magic show.

Mindfreak: Secret Revelations

Criss Angel

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Harper Paperbacks Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $7.79

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Average Read 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I like Criss Angel and appreciate his skill with magic, but found the book to be very short, and low on any substance. It focuses on his own belief in himself. I hope a proper biography or autobiography gets written at a later date

MindNUMB 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I purchased this book from the MINDFREAK store in Luxor, Las Vegas. Less of a mindFREAK than a mindNUMB... This was one of the very worst books I have ever read, and I wasn't expecting much (he is, after all, a magician and not a writer).

The book was rambling and contained very little meaningful discussion. Instead, Angel spends page after page (after page...) lauding himself and his self-reported "laser-like" focus on his goals, his amazing imagination, and his laughable "signature poses". The "biography" portion of the book is thankfully short, with the balance of the book consisting of 40 "Mindfreaks" -- Magic 101-level tricks complete with photos of an "intense" looking Criss (who mostly just looks silly).

I actually felt LESS smart after reading this book. The real magic is how Angel makes your money disappear without providing you anything worthwhile in exchange.

Avoid this book.

Editorial Review:

The star of Mindfreak—the most astonishing and provocative mystifier of the twenty-first century—Criss Angel shares his philosophy of life and magic, goes behind the scenes of his groundbreaking TV series, and reveals the secrets to forty mind-blowing illusions that you can master!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Street Magic (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

Tom Ogden

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

It’s the hip-hop of hocus-pocus.

Forget about David Copperfield, cruise ship illusionists, and birthday party magicians. They’re so twentieth century. Think cutting-edge magickers like David Blaine and Criss Angel. People starting out in magic today want something edgier, grittier, quick, visual, and maybe a little dangerous. This guide will teach you how to do it!

What makes The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Street Magic different from other books is the type of tricks and the thematic presentations that readers will actually learn. Out of the literally thousands of tricks that could have been included, only those that have the greatest impact, both visually and psychologically, appear in this book. It includes:
—75 to 100 tricks
—200 illustrations, from how-to shots to photos of street magicians at work
—Contains something for all levels, from easy-to-accomplish tricks for complete beginners to more challenging sleight-of-hand for those who seriously want to pursue the art of legerdemain

Self-Working Table Magic: 97 Foolproof Tricks with Everyday Objects

Karl Fulves

Amazon Price: $6.95 List Price: $6.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Dover Publications Amazon Marketplace: 47 new & used starting at $1.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Any of the Self Working titles are gold mines 5 out of 5 stars.
44 of 48 people found this review helpful.

Many beginners to magic (and others who should know better) are of the opinion that a magic effect has to be difficult in order to be worthwhile. While there are many killer effects that take months or years of practice, there are equally wonderful tricks that rely on psychology, subtlety, and/or advance preparation. The Self Working series of books are a treasure trove of great magic. This book is no exception. Many of the included tricks are used by successful professional magicians. Admittedly, these are best used in a program with other, more elaborate tricks, but for those moments in your act where you need a short, sweet effect, something in this book might just fill the bill. And as you get more proficient in magic you will find ways to further embellish these tricks and make them your own private miracles.

Editorial Review:

97 mystifying tricks done with ordinary objects that can be borrowed from the audience. Make coins appear or disappear; matchsticks jump into the air; classic cups and balls; pierce balloons without bursting them; plus tricks with dice, rubber bands, eggs, safety pins, pens and pencils, more. 185 illustrations.

Modern Coin Magic

J. B. Bobo

Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Dover Publications Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $4.04

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 34 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Simply Amazing 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Although this book is not really "modern" anymore, I found it to be the most comprehensive and helpful book on coin magic that I have ever read. It gives detailed illustrations and step by step instructions (unlike some other books) and is well worth the effort. I definitely reccomend this book as a great buy, especially if you have been looking around on the internet for some coin magic that you can easily learn. There really is no website, but this is a great buy at a great price. Definitely buy this book, whether you are a novice magician or an expereienced one.

Where the best magic is found 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 7 people found this review helpful.

You find the best magic in books.

To many magicians these days learn from videos and DVD's. While these are useful tools, book are where it is really at. The skill it takes to read a book and put it all together is what makes a magician great.

But you have to find the right books and this is certainly one of them. Every magician worth his salt should have certain books in his library and Bobo's Coin Magic is one of them.

Tim "Santiago" Converse
Enter a World of Elegant Magic
Santiago's Magic

Editorial Review:

The most complete treatise on sleight-of-hand coin conjuring, including best traditional methods and modern innovations. Guides you systematically from basic techniques, through integrated tricks to complete routined acts, 18 in all. 510 clear illustrations by Nelson C. Hahne. The best manual for amateurs, an encyclopedic source for professionals.

Monster Manual II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.0 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)

Ed Bonny, Skip Williams, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Steve Winter

Amazon Price: $23.07 List Price: $34.95 Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks By: Wizards of the Coast Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $9.50

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

MMII is not 3.5 Compliant 3 out of 5 stars.
15 of 17 people found this review helpful.

A good book for its time, but DMs should take note that this book is dated. Monster description blocks are not 3.5 compliant. This means that the monster's Base Attack Bonus is not clearly listed, nor is the Grapple bonus (although most Swallow Whole descriptions define this variable). Also, Damage Reduction has changed significantly, so be prepared to make some on-the-fly adjustments. Otherwise I would say that this book is very usable at all levels.

Editorial Review:

Even Greater Threats Await!

As heroes grow in power, they seek out more formidable adversaries. Whether sinister or seductive, ferocious or foul, the creatures lurking within these pages will challenge the most experienced characters of any campaign.

This supplement for the D&D game unleashes a horde of monsters to confront characters at all levels of play, including several with Challenge Ratings of 21 or higher. Inside are old favorites such as the death knight and the gem dragons, as well as all-new creatures such as the bronze serpent, the effigy, and the fiendwurm. Along with updated and expanded monster creation rules, Monster Manual II provides an inexhaustible source of ways to keep even the toughest heroes fighting and running for their lives.

To use this supplement, a Dungeon Master also needs the Player's Handbook and the Dungeon Master's Guide. A player needs only the Player's Handbook.

Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Playing Cards

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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> New Age -> Divination -> Tarot

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The Great Gypsy Witch Cards 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I love these cards. I received my first deck when I was seven, and had no problem with them, so they can certainly be used by beginners. They do have some dark cards, but that is a part of life. They are very accurate and enjoyable to use.

A reviewer mentioned that they were first published in 1903, true, then the reviewer said no tarot deck could claim that. There are tarot decks that are reproductions of decks made in the 15th century such as the Visconti Sforza, and then there are decks like the ever popular Rider Waite (first published in 1909) and Cagliostro Tarot (first published in 1912) so these decks definitely have been around too!

Editorial Review:

In continuous production since 1904, Madam Le Normand's Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Deck, has been one of the most popular fortune telling decks in the U.S. These cards differ from the Tarot in that the explanations for the symbolism are written right on them along with how the meanings can change when the cards align with other numbers and symbols from other cards. This makes this a perfect deck for beginners or those who wish to tell a fortune at the local coffee shop without getting a degree in the esoteric arts. As the suits are printed on each card, this deck can also be used as a standard deck of cards or novelty item. Contains the standard 52 cards plus 2 jokers and instruction booklet. Card size is 3 ½ x 2 ½.

Magic for Dummies

David Pogue

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wiley Publishing - Model: WPB0764551019 Amazon Marketplace: 85 new & used starting at $3.92

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

"Magic for Dummies"-- A review of a new magic book released July 1998 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 20 people found this review helpful.

(...)

If you're looking for some new magic tricks and a good laugh (Eccl. 3:4), read "Magic for Dummies" by David Pogue. Don't let the title fool you, even experienced magicians can benefit from this book.

The book contains many impromptu effects--things you can do anywhere with familiar objects. For example, you're in a restaurant with your friends and the conversation lulls. You take a packet of sugar off the center of the table and pour it into your clenched fist. Give it a little squeeze and "voila!" there's no sugar to be found.

You could adapt many of the tricks to a Biblical theme. For example, "The Phantom Photo" is an illusion where you assemble an empty picture frame, an audience member selects a famous movie star, and their photo appears in the frame. This same illusion and a little imagination could turn it into a lesson about the major Bible prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Each chapter has something valuable. The effects are quite strong and unique. Many of the tricks were submitted by over 35 of the top magicians in the world. In addition to the secret, David adds tips and valuable suggested patter to the effects. The book contains several cartoons by Rich Tennant (The 5th Wave). One was especially appropriate for the Christian Conjuror and is included with this review.

I found the answers provided to common questions like "How did you do that?" and things you can say when you flub a trick very helpful. Although I wish I never needed to use those lines, reality proves me wrong. It's good to be prepared. To help you become a well-rounded magician, David has also included a couple of chapters on the history of magic, describing some of the most famous magicians and incredible moments in magic.

One appendix provides many places you can contact to continue with your interest in magic. There are many up-to-date internet addresses for information included as well. Unfortunately, the "Fellowship of Christian Magicians" is not listed. I've suggested this to the author for a future edition.

Even if you bought the book and decided not to read it, you could always use the book as a prop in your next show. For comedy effect when a trick goes bad, pull the book out of your bag and pretend to check out the secret. It's always humbling to let your audience know that you consider yourself a "dummy" sometimes.

All in all, "Magic for Dummies" is an excellent instructional book on magic for the beginner or professional. It's filled to the brim with practical illusions that you can do. David's sense of humor really makes the book fun to read. I give it a thumbs up!

Editorial Review:

Magic For Dummies

The Structure of Magic II: A Book About Communication and Change (Book 2)

John Grinder, Richard Bandler

Amazon Price: $14.93 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Science and Behavior Books Amazon Marketplace: 75 new & used starting at $5.97

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Are you a mind reader? 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 16 people found this review helpful.

If you are interested in knowing how psychiatrists effect life altering change, then this book is for you. As you may know, the authors modeled the life altering strategies of successful psychiatrists, such as Milton Erickson, Fritz Perls, and Virginia Satir. These models became the basis of what we now know as nlp.

I was rather intrigued, when reading this book to notice a strategy of Virginia Satir. In one of her dialogues with a patient, when the patient explains a perceived issue with another person, she repeatedly challenges his thinking by asking 'Are you a mind reader?'

I now ask myself the same question on a regular basis. Sometimes, I ask other people that question too. If you think about it, that is a very good perception changing question unless, of course, you are a mind reader.

Another book I recommend in this field is Mind Lines by L Michael Hall, which has an extensive list of change patterns, and My voice will go with you, which is a book of the therapeutic teaching tales of Milton Erickson.

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Mysterious Stranger: A Book of Magic

David Blaine

Amazon Price: $12.89 List Price: $18.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Villard Amazon Marketplace: 62 new & used starting at $0.41

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Blaine’s Challenge!
———— —— —— —— —— — —— —— — —— —— — ——— —— ————

A never-before-attempted challenge to readers everywhere!
WIN $100,000.00
Hidden throughout the volume now in front of you are secret little signals, clues, and codes that,
once understood and deciphered, will lead to the discovery of a
Treasure!!
Which has been hidden somewhere within the confines of the continental United States of America.
Where is it? Who Will find it?
We Can’t Say!
——————————————
This challenge has been created and sponsored by the world’s greatest mystifier . . .
DAVID BLAINE
who was
Buried Alive
For Seven Days and Seven Nights.
The one and same who became
the world’s ONLY LIVING ICE CUBE in world-famous Times Square
and who . . .
stood as still as a statue
10 stories above Manhattan
only to
leap to his life below.
—————————————

The book in your hands now
Reveals
Some of David Blaine’s most closely guarded SECRETS. Such as
WHO IS HE?

WHERE DID HE COME FROM?

HOW DOES HE DO IT?

The reader will also
LEARN a multitude of inside SECRETS with which he or she too can mystify anyone.

THE MYSTERIOUS MR. BLAINE
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RECORDED HISTORY
WILL READ YOUR THOUGHTS THROUGH THE WRITTEN WORD

“A latter-day Houdini.” —The New York Times

“The hottest name in magic.”— USA Today

HIS SECRETS WILL BECOME YOURS
——————————————————————————————


From the Hardcover edition.