I'm interested in magic books

zetabase · Jul 5, 2018

Now, I want to start off by saying I want recommendations on book I should get/read for some one just starting off, I heard of By forces unseen and I feel as tho that would be a bit too much for me just starting out. Any recommendations for books?

zetabase · Jul 5, 2018

zetabase said:
Now, I want to start off by saying I want recommendations on book I should get/read for some one just starting off, I heard of By forces unseen and I feel as tho that would be a bit too much for me just starting out. Any recommendations for books?

I know BFU is for the MOST skilled and dedicated for years in the practice

DavidL11229 · Jul 5, 2018

You are right, and it is out of print. Check out Jason England's free video on book recommendations:

https://store.theory11.com/products/what-to-read-jason-england

Then pick up Card College.

WitchDocIsIn · Jul 5, 2018

I always recommend Royal Road to Card Magic by Hugard and Braue.

The presentations given in it are a bit dated, and it will sometimes feel a bit 'basic' in regards to what it's teaching - but it does cover all the foundations, and you can find it for about $10. That way you can start learning, and if you like it after you've studied RRTCM for a while, you can start in on the more expensive resources.

ryanshaw957 · Jul 5, 2018

Card college is great!

DominusDolorum · Jul 5, 2018

Royal Road is my go to recommendation. Card college has better instruction, from what I've been told, but they get pricy if you want to whole set. RRTCM will cover all the basics you need, and won't cost much.

010rusty · Jul 5, 2018

Mark Wilson's course in magic.

Timewise64 · Jul 5, 2018

I second Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic It was the first book I was told to purchase and wow, got me off to a great start. I am not sure you can buy them new, out of print maybe, but you can find them on ebay or amazon for fairly good prices.....

As you would expect this book contains a good introduction to magic and talks about most types of magic. It also gives you lot of tricks you can learn....it is something you will refer to as long as you are in to magic....

Good Luck, be careful this is high addictive!

WitchDocIsIn · Jul 5, 2018

Mark's book is still in print. You can find it on Amazon for $15 in paperback.

Magic Orthodoxy · Jul 7, 2018

Beginner Books

Great card books

10 Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic

9. Card College Light

8. Encyclopedia of Card Tricks

7. Scarne on Card Tricks

6 Expert Card Technique

5. Royal Road to Card Magic

4. The Expert at the Card Table

3. Art of Astonishment

2. Absolute Magic

1. Tarbell Course

.........................................
Hope that helps

Timewise64 · Jul 7, 2018

Magic Orthodoxy said:
Beginner Books

Great card books

10 Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic

9. Card College Light

8. Encyclopedia of Card Tricks

7. Scarne on Card Tricks

6 Expert Card Technique

5. Royal Road to Card Magic

4. The Expert at the Card Table

3. Art of Astonishment

2. Absolute Magic

1. Tarbell Course

.........................................
Hope that helps

This list applies if you are REALLY into card magic.....which is not everyone's focus!

Unownmagician1990 · Jul 7, 2018

I asked something similar to this in a different thread and royal road to card magic and mark wilson's complete course were both mentioned a few times as they have been above.

I am new to card magic myself and i can't really give much advice on books other than what's mentioned above or in the videos by magic orthadoxy.

From my own opinion and I'm not sure if anyone would agree, but definitely get the 2 that i have mentioned here like others have, but personally if it is card magic you want to stick with, buy a book called self working tricks by karl fulves to wet your appetite for card magic and buy a couple books that will teach you slights / moves and more advanced tricks.

For me having a self working tricks book gives me an idea of what I like and what I can learn, but the more advanced stuff that teaches slights and moves and more advanced tricks helps as well because i can learn them and go back to a self working trick and see if i can improve it in some way, I'm not saying that they are bad because they are definitely not.

But as i have seen and been told in the past, making a trick your own within how you perform it and the scripting / story you tell / use will set you apart from everyone else and you can start to get a feel for what you want your persona to be (if you decide to use one when performing)

I'm not sure if i have been any help or just rambled on to much but i hope you do well with what you decide to peruse.

what8006 · Jul 18, 2018

spoook · Nov 4, 2018

I would recommend Eugene Burger Mastering the Art of Magic.
This book basically can take someone from knowing a couple tricks to being an actual magician who is entertaining.

It's probably a good second or third book. It has card tricks that are not to difficult, but make a huge impact. It has some spooky magic with candles, ashes, and flash paper that goes poof. A drinking glass that gets pressed through a table. A spectator that can divine if a card is red or black .... throughout the entire deck. Selected card that appears under the table cloth. Adult beverages that appear out of thin air. And dollar bills that change. He even has a few tricks using low cost props (TT & IT) that are useful for every magician. Most of these tricks are within the reach of a beginner magician willing to practice.

However the name of the book is "Mastering the Art of Magic" and it's the lessons he teaches in this book that can truly make you a master ... The importance of Keeping Secrets ....How to introduce yourself and totally disarm your spectators before getting started ......... Techniques to create misdirection ....... How to build a great reaction ......... Importance of silence .... How to handle Hecklers ..... and that is just the first chapter. He also includes essays on Audience Interaction, Creating Interest, Precision & Practice, The Craft of Magic, and Presentation Style.

Eugene teaches you a lesson, then goes on to explain a trick that uses the lesson he just taught. When he teaches you a trick, he also teaches his presentation line for line. He teaches you where to look, and what to think when you are presenting the trick. He also teaches the concept of creating a frame to present your magic. The book is only 228 pages, it's easy to read, and you will finish the whole book. This is the type of book that can spark a fire. It's short but complete, and has real power within.

Antonio Diavolo · Nov 5, 2018

what8006 said:
The Approach by Jamie D. Grant

I was recommend this book by a magician. Personally, I'm not a big fan when is coming from reading a book. After reading few chapters, i got hooked on it! It took me about two weeks to completed the book. And I actually learned some useful info! The book was not too hard to understand. You don't need to read everything, you may glance through chapters if you like. The only Cons about this book is cost $75.00 but is still worth it.

Chapter List

1|How many tricks you should know -Article
2|Who are you? -Study
3|Developing your sets~ Part I -Lesson
4|How to practice -Essay
5|Your Magic Fridays -Anecdote
6|Business cards -Advice
7|Websites -Tip
8|How Do You Look? -Study
9|What are you wearing? -Advice
10|Funny or serious? -Anecdote
11|Are you any good yet? -Lesson
12|Starting Conversations -Advice
13|Touching people -Trick
14|How Much To Charge? -Article
15|The Cocktail Party -Essay
16|Getting started -Advice
17|Volunteer gigs and charities -Advice
18|What to say in emails -Tip
19|The telephone call -Trick
20|Getting There -Lesson
21|Developing Sets- Part 2 -Article
22|Silence -Advice
23|What does my contract looks like? -Anecdote
24|Transitions -Advice
25|Conquering nerves -Article
26|How to get gigs -Essay
27|Getting ready for your first one -Essay
28|Fingernail care -Trick
29|How much time to prepare -Tip
30|Pocket management -Article
31|Your list -Study
32|THE BIG SECRET -Trick
33|Your closeup bag/case -Advice
34|Things to never forget -Tip
35|Hat or No hat? -Essay
36|The handshake -Tip
37|What to put in the lobby -Trick
38|Who to approach first? -Article
39|My first effect -Advice
40|What rubberbands to use -Tip
41|Moving through a room -Article
42|The first words you (I) say -Essay
43|Highs and lows -Article
44|Getting applause -Essay
45|More transitions -Study
46|Saying goodbye to your group -Essay
47|Tables versus standing -Advice
48|Dealing with the Alpha male -Article
49|Staying in one spot -Advice
50|Busted! -Advice
51|Getting compliments -Tip
52|Letting spectators shuffle -Article
53|Reset. Reset -Study
54|Venue Staff -Tip
55|Kids at an event -Advice
56|Burning through material -Lesson
57|How many hours? -Lesson
58|Remembering names -Article
59|When to show the event planner -Tip
60|The card force I always use -Anecdote
61|Accepting tips -Article
62|Wallets -Anecdote
63|Handing out business cards -Tip
64|What to never borrow -Anecdote
65|Someone wants to show a trick -Article
66|Regular decks -Study
67|Weddings -Lesson
68|Large tables -Anecdote
69|Do you join them for dinner? -Anecdote
70|Vest or jacket? -Tip
71|The second Big Secret -Trick
72|Do it again -Article
73|Another magician shows up -Anecdote
74|Gigs outside -Advice
75|When only ten people show up -Anecdote
76|Do you need a stage show? -Study
77|Dance floors -Advice
78|Checking back in -Tip
79|Dropping cards -Tip
80|Sponge balls -Trick
81|Dealing with disappointment -Advice
82|Hecklers -Article
83|Open versus closed body language -Lesson
84|One handed spectators -Anecdote
85|Stick lines -Essay
86|Lone stragglers -Tip
87|Journal -Advice
88|Leaving them with something -Essay
89|Custom decks -Article
90|False memories -Article
91|Invoices -Article
92|How to get testimonials -Article
93|Getting all the money -Article
94|Increasing rates -Tip
95|Busking -Advice
96|Repeat gigs -Study
97|Pictures -Tip
98|Social media -Advice
99|Going full time
100|Agents -Anecdote
101|Essay -Article
102|Go get it -Advice
103|The beginning -Thanks

Cheers,
Stan

Although the Approach is a GREAT book, I think the OP is just looking for books with tricks rather than a book wth a focus on getting gigs.