5 comments about Mysterious Stranger: A Book of Magic.

1. AMAZING BOOK. If you are a David Blaine fan it is a must have. I will keep this review short. He goes into the history of magic, explaining the lifes of many famous magicians. He tells his own story from his childhood to his stunt Frozan in Time. He also explains how he first started in magic to where he is now. He explains a couple of card tricks, which is nice. He explains Buried Alive, Frozen in Time, and Vertigo. All I have to say is the book is amazing, and after I read this book the magic really got into me and I have started practicing and learning magic.



2. Excellent book, highly recommended. A mix of magic history, biography and tricks. Won't be dissapointed.



3. Very cool book, a good buy at a great price
   David Blaine is very interesting



4. super interesting book, nice jurney in David Blaine mind,and his magik, he is defenatly special



5. This book was ok. I felt it was really written for young fans who might want to follow his footsteps. There is a bit of history here, as if to show Blaine is respectful of the past masters and not cocky. Not completely dull, I remember he does give a least one simple trick as a bone, but not extremly compelling - perhaps that is part of the point, the craft is not all glamour and is laden with repetitive training & hard work. Try to get it at the public library unless you are a fanatic about this guy.

1 comments about Martin Gardner's Table Magic.

1. This book has excerpted material also found in Gardner's mammoth "Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic," and the material, as the title suggests, is limited to items performable in an after-dinner setting. This is the sort of magic, when one produces seemingly off-the-cuff miracles, that helped great magicians, such as Alexander Herrmann, Max Malini, Nate Leipzig and Dai Vernon become legends. For if you can do magic any time, anywhere, with anything, then the magic is not in the props, but in YOU!

   The most recent person to take advantage of the power of seemingly casual magic is, of course, David Blaine. He has created the illusion that magic happens wherever he goes. And David Blaine is the magician foremost in the public's mind.

   Do not be put off by the apparent simplicity of these magic tricks. Done well, at the right moment, they are reputation-makers. Gardner has a knack for finding excellent yet simple material. This simplicity is usually only achieved by rank beginners and hardened professionals. In this book, it can be yours.

   Just one thing: show the author the respect he deserves, and rehearse these well and perform them excellently.

5 comments about Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear.

1. This is a fun and easy read. Probably nothing new for serious fans of the history of magic but it is a good summary of the lives of some very special people in an interesting sub-culture.
   
   For those buying the book to discover magical secrets, they will learn little other than the truth of the cliche that magic is all smoke and mirrors.



2. Fortunately I am as this is no laymen's book. I quite enjoyed it and found it full of the fragmented tidbits of information I am so fond of. A little technical at times - I was far more interested in some of the stories then in precise line drawings or sketches, though Steinmeyer is skilled at taking complex principles and breaking them down into simple line drawings. I wish it had been a bit more chatty but am glad i read it.



3. The author, Steinmeyer, amazes and delights along with the top magicians who appear in this book. I never had any interest in magic until my grandson, then 11, became interested. He's now a member of the Society of Young Magicians. Now, having some insight into the creativity behind illusions, and the stage presense required to create them, I appreciate and enjoy the illusions much more. This book is a delightful read. It's well organized and beautifully written. Woven through all are the personalities of some of the best magicians who worked in England and the US in the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds. Steinmeyer follows the development of certain kinds of illusions from early ideas, to later and more spectacular versions. The illustrations are helpful, and there's a nice photo section.
   
   Seeing how incredibly precise and creative these entertainers were makes this a fascinating book. I highly recommend it. Even if you've never had much interest in magical illusions, this is simply a good read.



4. This is probably my favorite nonfiction book ever. Not being a magician or otherwise a part of the magic community, I'd never thought about the history of stage magic. Steinmeyer lays it all out, the people who made magic what it is today and how their careers and rivalries interlinked, with a tone that's readable and engaging. I couldn't put it down and after reading it I have much more appreciation for the art of illusion.



5. I loved Steinmeyer's The Glorious Deception: The Double Life of William Robinson, aka Chung Ling Soo, the Marvelous Chinese Conjurer and so was looking forward to reading this book. It did not disappoint. Steinmeyer brings alive the excitement of magic from the turn of the century, the early innovations and the amazing characters who performed these tricks and illusions and brought them to life. Mixed in with the stories, the history, the secrets, and the magic is Steinmeyer's view that the way the tricks were performed was more important than the secrets behind them, and yet figuring out the secrets and the way they evolved has a thrill all its own. A wonderful read from cover to cover that brings new light to an amazing piece of history and magic.

5 comments about 101 Easy-to-Do Magic Tricks.

1. Unlike many magic texts, this book has incredible illustrations that make every trick easy to understand. The book includes simple ways to create functinal apparatus like Chinese Sticks, chinese Rice Bowls, simple production boxes etc. It also includes a simple routine for the Chinese Linking Rings, the only trick you can't make yourself. With thousands of drawings by an excellent illustrator, this book is a must for anybody interested in learning magic. Mr. Tarr has also written Now You See It, Now You Don't which is undoubtably the best beginning text on sleight of hand on the market. It isn't best because Mr. Tarr is the best, it is best because the writing is clear, the illustrations are top notch, and the material is chosen to teach.



2. this is a really good work for someone just starting in the field. The text is clear and interesting, and the explainitory art leaves nothing to be desired



3. This book was absolutly great! All the magic tricks were so easy to do! I loved enterraining my two younger sisters with these tricks.



4. This is one of the best magic books a beginner could buy. Just as he does in his other books, Bill Tarr teaches in a way that is so easy to understand and follow. These are some of the best classic magic tricks; every magician should know them. I recommend this book to even advanced magicians. If you don't have it on your shelf, you're missing out.



5. Well, the title of the book pretty much explains the book. For me, It was a litle too easy, but I'm 16 years old. This book is better suited towards kids. But if you are interested solely in card magic, I recommend not getting it. This book only has self-working card tricks. Although, if you are only interested in a couple easy cards tricks to impress people, then that is what this book offers. This book also contains other tricks, such as dolar bill in a lemon, chinese wands, chinese rings, the inexhaustible hat, the rising cigarette, ring on a string, and the great matchbox escape, to name a few. This book isn't very long. I didn't enjoy the book that much, because I am interested in street magic, and these tricks are not suited to that type of magic, because they all require set-up and need a table or are too angle sensitve, ect. But overall, I would have to say that you shouldn't buy this book (because there are so many better books that hold more information) unless you are a kid. If you are older and a beginner in magic I recommend another book.

5 comments about The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy: How the Tiger Kings Tamed Las Vegas.

1. I was lucky enough to see Siegfried and Roy's show at the Mirage, from a seat right in front of the stage. It was totally awesome, one of the most memorable shows I've ever seen. Curious about the duo, I purchased this book. Well...The first thing that must be said, is that it was written by former employees, who would seem to have an axe to grind. The second thing that must be said, is that former employees know where all the bodies are buried; in this case, literally. So how much of this book is true? Hard to say. What can be said is that it is almost as fascinating as their show. Lots of "dirt" about lots of people, everyone from Steve Wynn to Liberace. Eccentric behavior in full measure (and beyond). And what really did happen the night Montecore attacked Roy? It's all a bit creepy at times, but it's sure a page-turner. Take it to the beach, this summer.



2. You don't want to admit it but you're kinda curious about what goes on behind the scenes with S&R. This is a perfect little page-turning, guilty pleasure of a tome. The stories might be from bitter ex-employees, but who else is going to have the best stories? Well put together, fast, fun read- perfect for the Summer.



3. This book is easy to read. I was done with it in no time. It is full of fascinating information that, far from marring Siegfried and Roy's names, only paints them as fallible human beings like many of the other of us "mere mortals". Blind-loyalty fans will have a difficult time accepting the possibility of these "hidden" personality traits and incidents as being true.
   The tone of the book is hardly mean-spirited; in fact, the writers sound very much on Siegfried and Roy's "side". The content includes histories of such Las Vegas icons as Liberace and Steve Wynn, as well as a history of Las Vegas itself.
   
   My main complaints about the book are as follows: Siegfried's birthdate is written as being June 12th instead of 13th, the lions in a few of the pictures are mistakenly called tigers in the captions, Mastering the Impossible is quoted rather a lot in a few areas, and some of the information from it seems to have been changed slightly.



4. I loved author's cool and wit way of telling the story.
   Not trashing The Maestros, but an interesting story written with a great sens of humor.
   A+ for summer reading!



5. Well, I guess their lives will still remain a secret because this book has nothing new to offer! As former employees who claim to have had a long and close relationship with S and R, they really don't have much to say about their OWN on the job experiences. The book simply rehashes old tabloid and magazine stories about S and R--not much about their own accounts on anything! The rest of the book is simply 'filler' material about the history of Las Vegas, Liberace's sexual preferences, etc...--not much to do with S and R. There are a couple of chapters that are copied almost exactly from S and R's own autobiography as well. If you have followed the careers of S and R, believe me when I say that this book has absolutely NOTHING new to offer! Don't waste your time nor your money!

3 comments about Coin Magic.

1. Even if the cool double-sided quarter hadn't been included with the book, the book would still be great. This book shows how to palm a coin, do a Bobo Pass, a French drop, and more! Anyone who wants to be a magician, get attention, or just have fun will love this book. The equipment is easy to obtain and the instructions are easy to follow. IT IS A GREAT BOOK!



2. This is the best coin-magic book I have ever read. The tricks are ridiculusly simple, but the audience remains mysified, and the text is absolutly hilarious. Within less than a day I was able to do at least three tricks. In fact, when I did them in front of my family, the tricks looked pretty impressive - even if I do say so myself. Next time I'll charge 'em. I'd recommend this book to any one, any age, who likes to astound their friends, family, or even their worst enemy.



3. This book is fun! fun! fun! I started reading it and almost couldn't stop. Very informative on interesting coin tricks.
   If you're sitting around the house bored, read this.

5 comments about Magic and Showmanship: A Handbook for Conjurers.

1. I have been a professional magician for the better part of 32 years. When I first started into magic full time, this was one of the books that I read and re-read thoroughly. It gave me real insight into how to create a consistent character and how to THINK about magic when I was doing magic.

   I fully believe that most people who have purchased this book have never read it. If they had, there would be more really excellent magicians in the world. But you can tell the ones who have read it and who understand it, because their magic is consistent, convincing and natural.

   If you want to do good magic, buy this book and read it. It will tell you how to think, speak and act when you are performing. And it will give you some material that is not too difficult, but has very great impact upon an audience. And don't worry about performing that material in front of someone else who has purchased this book. He probably hasn't read it anyway! If he has, he won't tell the secrets!

   Bill Palmer, MIMC
   Merlin the Magician of the Texas Renaissance Festival




2. To many magicians don't know how to behave on stage properly. This work gives them the tools and ideas they need to be able to learn how to carry themselves on stage like a professional. Not just a professional magician, but a professional actor.
   
   Very important skills for any magician to have and this should be on their reading list.
   
   Tim "Santiago" Converse
   Enter a World of Elegant Magic
   Santiago's Magic



3. I honestly expected more from this book. It's not a bad book, but i found it a little bit boring.



4. Magic & Showmanship was recommended by Henry Hay (Author of "The Amateur Magician's Handbook",). You need Hay's book in your magic libray as well as M & S, by H. Nelms. Mr. Nelms teaches tricks, but they are only there to highlight the real secret of performing magic. He teaches you how to act and think like a magician. Of great benefit is his instruction on using a "silent script". He also provides excellent advice on costuming, stage craft, involving the audience and even posture to make your performance memorable. The book is challenging, but worth the effort. If you really care about performing, buy this book.



5. This book should be one of the books that are read and referred to in every magicians library.
   The showmanship chapters of this book are sure to increase the quality of any stage and personal performance.
   I highly recommend this book to those who seek a profession in this area.
   Lawrence O'Leary

5 comments about Now You See It, Now You Don't!: Lessons in Sleight of Hand.

1. I'm not one of those people who can figure out how tricks are done just by watching. I have to read a book! This book is great, full of very easy to understand illustrations.
   
   Besides card tricks, it covers tricks with money, the three shell game, torn paper (magically whole again), vanishing salt shakers, etc.
   
   This book alone is enough to make a great magician out of anyone! Enough tricks here to entertain an audience for a very long time.



2. I recently purchased this book thinking that I would be getting some new tips in sleight of hand, which I did, but with much aggrevation. If you are a beginner I would not recommend this book. It's books like this that will make people turn away from magic. The concepts are good in this book, but the drawings are difficult to match with the instructions. The drawings and the explanations can cause a great deal of frustration and make one want to pass on tricks all together. Most of the stuff in this book is covered in Mark Wilson's book (which has 10 times better pics and explainations), so if you want just a few more tricks then get it, but altogether I wish that I hadn't bought it.
   The only real good thing about this book is that it has some good cigarette vanishes and a good routine, but it may take you 10 hours o decipher what you are actually looking at. For beginners...not really...if you are a beginner...go to Mark Wilson. Cheers



3. This is a good instructional book with several close-up manipulation mangic tricks. I like the illustrations



4. This is one of the best sleight of hand books ever written! The pictures are very helpful and one accompanies every single trick. Inside you'll find card sleights, flourishes, coin tricks (including simple routines), and other various sleight of hand tricks. One of my personal favorites is the thimble magic and changing spots trick. The rating system is especially helpful for beginning magicians as they attempt things like the French drop and simple coin vanishes.
   
   I always recommend this book to anyone interested in magic, even children can follow along! I think every amateur magician or magic enthusiast should own a copy.



5. A basic visual reference guide to sleight of hand with cards, coins, balls, etc. A fast and visual oriented course in legerdemain. An addition to a magician's library. Though you will need some other magic texts if you wish to become an allround wizard.

5 comments about Scarne on Card Tricks.

1. John Scarne is today perhaps best remembered as a leading authority on gambling scams and card cheats. However, in his prime, he was one of the best magicians in America. In the late 40s, as stated in the Introduction, Scarne decided to gather for magicians a set of card tricks involving no sleight-of-hand. The result is "Scarne on Card Tricks". The 155 effects in the book range from quick tricks and puzzlers to more elaborate card demonstrations. All of the effects are attributed to either the originator of the effect or to a magician who used the effect frequently. The book clearly bears Scarne's unique genius not only in the selection and variety of effects, but in Scarne's improvements of the original effects. There is no doubt that anyone can put together a most entertaining routine with the material in this book. Two words of caution. First, the copyright of the book is 1950 and so some of the patter is clearly dated and needs to be revised for contemporary audiences. (Patter is the words or story that accompany the effect.) Second, because the effects are easy to do when practiced, there is a tendency to perform the effects before fully thought out. For every hour learning the basic effect itself, two hours should be spent on how to present it in an entertaining and interesting manner. The book itself, however, remains one of the very best in card magic. Scarne's work clearly stands the test of time. Frankly, the book is a steal at the published price. I bought two copies because I knew I'd wear one book out. I did. The book is that useful.



2. This is the definitive collection of non sleight-of-hand (you don't have to be quick with your hands) card tricks. I bought my first paperback copy in 1974 when I was still a schoolboy. Some of the tricks are easy but astounding, such that I've memorised two of them and have amazed my friends over the years until now. Since then, there hasn't been any other card trick manual that can beat this one, to the best of my knowledge.



3. Many magicians own the Classic book "Scarne on Card Tricks." But it is said if you want to keep a trick a secret, put it in print! Most of what's in Scarne on Card Tricks is no doubt a complete mystery to most laymen--and many magicians! Its a great book for the card beginner.

   On the other hand, there's a lot of boring and tedious count-down stuff in there as well.

   The book is BIG--over 300 pages of carefully detailed effects. It can be a little overwhelming to someone the first time he picks it up. How do you separate the wheat from the chaff?

   Best, in my view, are the tricks that can be done TOTALLY impromptu, with very little or no stacking, when a deck is shoved into your hands and somebody says "Do a trick!".

   Here are some of the effects that I have judged to be best, based on the above criteria:

   The Upside down Deck by Francis Carlyle
   Hit the Deck
   Scarne's Follow the Leader
   Cardini's Color Discernment
   Card on the Ceiling
   Card through the Handkerchief

   Of course, You Do as I Do is also a classic, though it is fairly well known among magicians.

   In short, a little work digging out the best tricks will make you a true card magician in most people's eyes, with enough practice and performing experience.




4. The book arrived fast & in great shape. My nephew loves it! He loves it so much that he had to have the Scarne book on magic.



5. I can only rate the service of the delivery and the accuracy of the description of the book. I haven't had a chance to read it yet.

5 comments about Encylopaedia of Card Tricks.

1. The cardtricks book is well written and PACKED with card tricks - more than you could deal with in a lifetime. Hugard has written many books on the subject and you can't go wrong. Another online resource I found and loved is http://www.ellusionist.com - amazing site with card trick movies and a bunch of cool stuff.



2. This book is great in its completeness and organization. It walks you through most of the card tricks. This book is not geared toward beginners or younger audiences. If you are a visual learner this book is not for you. There are very few pictures and diagrams so you will have to use your imagination at times to visualize what the trick is supposed to look like based on the descriptions.



3. The title of the book gives a good idea of what is in store. Primarily an information source of magic card tricks.
   
   Light on useable information so far as performing is concerned, yet good for the historian.
   
   Then again, most magicians are weak performers and strong on history, so this book will be a treat.



4. Some people cook by recipe, others "by ear," so to speak. I do magic by ear. That is, I look for ideas, and then usually tweak things to fit what I think makes sense.
   
   This is a tremendous book for ideas! Lots and lots and lots of them.
   
   So for a "give me an idea I can run with" person, I think this book is just great. For someone looking more for a step-by-step recipe, this probably isn't the book for you.



5. Ordered this book as a gift for my husband. He's new to card tricks. While he didn't find the entire book useful, he did find a lot of interesting/entertaining tricks to work on.
   
   Overall 4 stars because it helped him learn some new tricks but didn't keep him occupied for more than 2 weeks :).