recommended by Brian Stracner
Comedy Writing Secrets by
Mel Helitzer
The Best-Selling Book on How to Think Funny, Write Funny, Act Funny, And Get Paid For It
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recommended by Greg McMahan
The Amateur
Magician's
Handbook
by Henry Hay
Henry Hay (pseudonym of the late Barrows Mussey, 1912 - 1985) wrote his book in 1949 and it was first published the following year. It has remained in print on the mass market ever since. "The Amateur Magician’s Handbook" provides a broad based and practical foundation in the psychology and techniques of magic. While most magic books aimed at beginners start out by teaching self-working effects, Hay wisely devoted the first half of his book to the “hard stuff.” In his words …If you start off with a few self-working tricks that you can plod through undetected, you may puzzle people, but you won’t entertain them. Worse, you won’t have entertained yourself. Easy come, easy go. Familiarity breeds contempt… Some notion, at least, of magical acting can be taught in a book; but it takes time to sink in. The time required to memorize a self-working trick is not long enough… The time required to learn a fairly simple sleight probably will be long enough for you to absorb the acting that goes with it. …In short, you can learn to do a moderately difficult trick more easily than you can a perfectly easy trick. On a sleight of hand trick you can’t skimp; on an easy trick the temptation is almost irresistible. You won’t dare to show a feat of skill that is only half practiced – and this is one of the basic axioms in all conjuring.
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recommended by Obtuse
Theater of the Mind by
Barry Richardson
1999 recipient of the Psychic Entertainers Association award for creativity, and with over fifty years of professional performance behind him, Barrie Richardson has gathered together 53 of his best mental routines, many with complete presentations, for this large volume of baffling experiences.In THEATER OF THE MIND, you will find page after page, of fresh, practical material, tested and perfected before thousands of audiences; astonishing feats that use only ordinary items, and few of them, entertaining mental experiments that involve the whole audience, that pack small and play big, and that exploit a devilish combination of simplicity and cleverness. What you will discover in Theatre Of The Mind is a wealth of professional material at a pauper's price. A 320 page hardbound book with detailed instructions and illustrations!
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recommended by
George Woo
MAGICK by Bascom Jones
Over 2400 pages of dynamite material culled from 1000's of contributions by the best thinking performers in Magic and mentalism. More than 1400 individual effects! he material contained in this Five volume set is exactly as originally issued by Bascom Jones. OVER 23 YEARS OF ACCUMULATED GENIUS FOUND NO WHERE ELSE! NOTHING LEFT OUT.
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recommended by
Kevin D. Kirtley
The Memoirs of Robert-Houdin
The Memoirs of Robert-Houdin by Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin was first published in English in 1859, translated to English from French Confidences d'un prestidigitateur, T.
The Illustrated History of Magic
by Milbourne Christopher
Illustrated History Of Magic by Milbourne and Maurine Christopher - Book Write A Review An updated edition of the classic history of magic - from sorcerer-priests in ancient Egypt to such modern conjurers as Houdini, David Copperfield, and David Blaine.Set off on a magical history tour with Milbourne Christopher's classic Illustrated History of Magic. Follow the fascinating stories of the world's greatest conjurers, from sorcerer-priests in ancient Egypt, The Great Herrmann, Harry Kellar, Chung Ling Soo, Houdini, to modern miracle workers like David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy, and David Blaine.Filled with fantastic illustrations"poster art, photographs, illusion diagrams"this book is a feast for anyone interested in the conjuring arts."Knowing my passion for magic history, people often ask me how they can learn about the origins of the art. I always refer them to this work, without hesitation, as the best source on the topic."- from the Foreword by David Copperfield"A glowing, fascinating account of this ancient art. Christopher has woven a spell and offered the reader a front-row seat for the great mysteries and the famous mystifiers. It's pure magic."- Jim Steinmeyer, author of 'Hiding the Elephant' and 'The Glorious Deception'"This mesmerizing, intelligent history sweeps from the earliest known image of a conjuring feat - an Egyptian wall painting made around 2500 B.C. - to the feats of that renowned escapologist Harry Houdini."- Publishers Weekly"Lives up to Copperfield's recommendation as 'the best source on the topic'."- Library JournalMilbourne Christopher played a crucial role in reviving magic's appeal for audiences in America and Europe, practicing his craft on TV and Broadway. An expert and author on magic, extrasensory perception, and the hereafter, Christopher lectured at colleges and universities and was at the forefront of the magic world from the 1950s until his death, in 1984. Maurine Christopher, his widow, is keeping his good work alive by continuing to update The Illustrated History of Magic.Foreword by David Copperfield!ContainsB&W photos and illustrations.Plus 8 full color pages of performance posters featurin Houdini, Blackstone, Thurston and more!
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recommended by
Illusions Vick
NEO MAGIC
by S.H. SHARPE
Prepared by the late S. H. Sharpe, Neo-Magic Artistry combines Sharpe's revised versions of his rare 1932 classic of magic theory, Neo-Magic, and three of his other scarce books from the 1930s, Conjured Up, Good Conjuring, and Great Magic. Once again, Sam Sharpe will take you on his voyage through the meaning of magic and ways to transform your performances into fine art. You'll also find over 30 original effects, Sharpe's autobiography, additional Sharpe essays, and the rarely-seen text of Devant's magical drama The Supreme Test. "The inspired writings of Sam Sharpe provide a doorway for magicians to journey beyond stage illusion into the heart and soul of magic." - Jeff McBride "Follow Sharpe's leads and you'll discover new paths for your love of the art of magic." - Vito
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recommended by
Kiddmagic
Magic and Showmanship
by
Henning Nelms
A handbook for conjurers by HENNING NELMS Considered by many to be one of the finest books on showmanship written. Whether an aspiring magician or mentalist, these time tested theatrical techniques can elevate the trickster into a real entertainer. Moreover, it is an easy and fun read from beginning to end.
A highly instructive book by a noted authority on the subject analyzes every phase of conjuring, from sleights, devices, misdirection, and controlling audience attention to incorporating patter and the effective use of assistants. Provides recommendations on the use of body language, posture, positioning, and movement. 60 original routines
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The Demons Club
Recommended
Reading
Interested in purchasing these recommendations? Just click on the picture of any book for a direct link to a magic supplier,
free on-line books
or Amazon!
recommended by
Amado Narvaez
Magic for Boys
by G. Sherman Ripley
Another one of my favorite books when I was getting started in magic was G. Sherman Ripley's _Magic for Boys_. I thought the illustrations--like the one attached for "Chapter 5--Silken Sorcery"--were great!
Although the title is _Magic for Boys_, the second paragraph on page 1 starts with the sentence: "Whether you are a boy, girl, group leader, or camp counselor, you can become a magician if you are willing to put in a little practice, and you will have a lot of fun while learning."
I also draw the attention of the Demons Club to the detail of the blurb about the author that reads: "G. Sherman Ripley as the fabulous oriental sage Dr. Chang."
I wonder if Russ Glover read this book...
Life size silicone sculpture of Edgar Allan Poe
by Tom Kuebler
by
Kyle Peron
Festival Magic
The entertainers complete guide to working the festival market.
This 110+ page book is jammed full of the most relevant information you could
ever ask for in regards to working not only festivals, but also how to work any festival or fair event. This is one of the ONLY books that is devoted solely to giving YOU the information you need to work a market that can generate substantial income for you year round.
If you are already performing for children, work a family-focused show or if you are
even a strolling magician, then festivals are a perfect extension of what you are already doing. You can learn to work them well with simply modifying your current show and having an understanding of how to market effectively to them. This is what Kyle gives to you and SO much more.
