I recently dug this book out of my closet, it was the first magic book I ever owned. I purchased it at the Lance Burton magic shop right after seeing his show many many years ago. Despite the title, it was and still has been my favorite. Now lets go into why I think this is an essential and an incredible beginners book. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere since which is why im writing this review.
-Overview-
This book is divided into seven parts and 19 chapters, ranging from all different types of magic. There are also sections of advice and tips for getting started. There are contributions from this book from 36 very well known magicians including Michael Ammar, Lance Burton, Daryl, Paul Harris, Chad Long, Jeff McBride, and Meir Yedid. There is a short biography of each of these contributors which I found interesting. At the beginning of each part is a farside style cartoon about magic making for a much easier read. It is a dummies book so you can guess that no one will have a problem learning from it
-Content-
Part 1: Becoming Magical
The first part is dedicated to the way to learn different effects. Simple tricks like the one leg vanish and anti gravity pencil are taught just to get you comfortable performing. They also teach the basic principles of misdirection. When I was younger I had a lot of fun with these tricks on the playground at elementary school. I didn't realize it at the time but it helped me learn to approach people comfortably and to have fun with magic. After that it goes to more useful effects including basic card coin and string magic. These are simple and foolproof, perfect for starting out.
Part 2: Wizarding Anywhere
The first part of this section is devoted to simple money tricks. This was always my favorite. They are all fairly easy but surprisingly effective. The second part are all tricks using office supplies, also simple but useful. The third part uses nothing but clothing. The last section uses things found around the house and includes tricks you can do in stores with merchandise, which is always fun.
Part 3: The Restaurant Zone
This part is completely dedicated to things you would find in restaurants. Silverware, food, napkins, straws, toothpicks, matches, etc.
INTERMISSION: This is simply a story of a magician named alex and his journey to becoming semipro. I have read it over and over just because it is so damn helpful.
Part 4: Pick a Card..Trick
This section is all cards, simple, self working, hard hitting tricks.
Part 5: Party Time
These are all tricks you would use at a party for large groups of people. Mostly simple predictions and mind reading, good stuff.
Part 6: The Part of Tens
This part contains 10 basics of good magic. It covers why to not reveal secrets, when to start and when to stop, how to practice, and more. This was a huge help to me when i first started. Next is 10 classic moments in magic, all stories about incredible tricks by incredible magicians. Also a great read. After that is 10 dead magicians worth knowing. These are short biographies on some of the greats. Next is 10 things to say when things go wrong, kinda self explanatory. And lastly, 10 ways go get more into magic.
Part 7:
This part includes an appendix, notes, and a whole dictionary of magic terms, and of course credits.
-The Best Parts-
What makes this book even better are the little add ins. Little grey boxes tell stories of incredible things to happen during tricks, getting lucky during a trick and saving a trick at the last moment. Cool skills are taught that dont relate to magic. and several sections entitled, Truth of Magic.
-In Conclusion-
What makes this book so good is that it has EVERYTHING. Magic relating to every possible object and tool. This way, you don't get started off doing just cards or just coins, you get a crash course in lots of different ideas. This book sparks creativity, looking back 11 years later i still get inspiration for organic effects. This is a beginners book, but to me it is the beginners book.
-Overview-
This book is divided into seven parts and 19 chapters, ranging from all different types of magic. There are also sections of advice and tips for getting started. There are contributions from this book from 36 very well known magicians including Michael Ammar, Lance Burton, Daryl, Paul Harris, Chad Long, Jeff McBride, and Meir Yedid. There is a short biography of each of these contributors which I found interesting. At the beginning of each part is a farside style cartoon about magic making for a much easier read. It is a dummies book so you can guess that no one will have a problem learning from it
-Content-
Part 1: Becoming Magical
The first part is dedicated to the way to learn different effects. Simple tricks like the one leg vanish and anti gravity pencil are taught just to get you comfortable performing. They also teach the basic principles of misdirection. When I was younger I had a lot of fun with these tricks on the playground at elementary school. I didn't realize it at the time but it helped me learn to approach people comfortably and to have fun with magic. After that it goes to more useful effects including basic card coin and string magic. These are simple and foolproof, perfect for starting out.
Part 2: Wizarding Anywhere
The first part of this section is devoted to simple money tricks. This was always my favorite. They are all fairly easy but surprisingly effective. The second part are all tricks using office supplies, also simple but useful. The third part uses nothing but clothing. The last section uses things found around the house and includes tricks you can do in stores with merchandise, which is always fun.
Part 3: The Restaurant Zone
This part is completely dedicated to things you would find in restaurants. Silverware, food, napkins, straws, toothpicks, matches, etc.
INTERMISSION: This is simply a story of a magician named alex and his journey to becoming semipro. I have read it over and over just because it is so damn helpful.
Part 4: Pick a Card..Trick
This section is all cards, simple, self working, hard hitting tricks.
Part 5: Party Time
These are all tricks you would use at a party for large groups of people. Mostly simple predictions and mind reading, good stuff.
Part 6: The Part of Tens
This part contains 10 basics of good magic. It covers why to not reveal secrets, when to start and when to stop, how to practice, and more. This was a huge help to me when i first started. Next is 10 classic moments in magic, all stories about incredible tricks by incredible magicians. Also a great read. After that is 10 dead magicians worth knowing. These are short biographies on some of the greats. Next is 10 things to say when things go wrong, kinda self explanatory. And lastly, 10 ways go get more into magic.
Part 7:
This part includes an appendix, notes, and a whole dictionary of magic terms, and of course credits.
-The Best Parts-
What makes this book even better are the little add ins. Little grey boxes tell stories of incredible things to happen during tricks, getting lucky during a trick and saving a trick at the last moment. Cool skills are taught that dont relate to magic. and several sections entitled, Truth of Magic.
-In Conclusion-
What makes this book so good is that it has EVERYTHING. Magic relating to every possible object and tool. This way, you don't get started off doing just cards or just coins, you get a crash course in lots of different ideas. This book sparks creativity, looking back 11 years later i still get inspiration for organic effects. This is a beginners book, but to me it is the beginners book.
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