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.

This book by a "magician's magician" discloses the secrets behind a collection of close-up marvels — including the author's "Out of the World," reputed to be the best card trick of the past century.

Showmanship for Magicians is a 1943 work by semi-professional magician and author Dariel Fitzkee. It is the first in the Fitzkee Trilogy, a classic collection that is still read widely by magicians, conjuroprs and illusionists alike. There is little information available on the life of Dariel Fitzkee outside of his written work. Born in Annawan, Illinois, in 1898 as Dariel Comp Fitzkee, he later changed his surname to Fitzroy during World War II. But he continued to write under the name Fitzkee throughout his life. Fitzkee's early books were shorter works focused on specific magic tricks. Books like Cut and Restored Rope and Manipulation (1929) and Linking Ring Manipulation (1930) described multiple variations of these classic tricks. Fitzkee was also a regular contributor to Genii Magazine, which is still published today. He wrote two recurring magic columns in the 1930s called "Thoughts are Things" and "Glimpses of Strange Shadows." Fitzkee also contributed a book and magazine review column called "Paper and Ink" that ran for over 12 years. For all of his analysis and study on the subject, it seems that success as a professional magician eluded him. Fitzkee is said to have had an unsuccessful touring act from 1939 to 1940, after which he stopped performing. But his most enduring written works were yet to come in the form of the Fitzkee Trilogy, starting with Showmanship for Magicians. Many magicians throughout the second half of the 20th century have considered it to be a cornerstone work in the field, including the actor Steve Martin who was fanatical about magic as a young man. He described the book as "...more important to me than The Catcher in the Rye." Fitzkee was frustrated with the quality of magic at the time of his writing. He felt that the mediocrity that dominated the stages did damage to the reputation of the entire field of magic. One of his biggest issues with magic in the 1940s was that its performers were still treating the trappings of the late 1800s as the "standard" for magic. Performers often dressed in out-of-date tuxedos, wearing top hats or turbans. They adorned the stage with old-fashioned round "Magician's tables" that had been popularized some 70 years before. Fitzkee felt that magic should be "...geared and attuned to the times" to keep it fresh and interesting for the audience. Fitzkee analyzes the components of other successful forms of entertainment, like film, sporting events, theater, opera, and more. He breaks these down into a list of 39 "Audience Appeals" - music, color, comedy, conflict, etc - that can then be incorporated into a magic performance. The second book in the Fitzkee Trilogy is The Trick Brain published in 1944. This work condenses all magic tricks into 19 basic effects, such as getting a solid item to penetrate another without damaging either. It also examines how to combine effects into new and updated tricks. The final book of the trilogy, Magic by Misdirection (1945), concerns the psychology of deception, or "the attack the magician makes upon the spectator's mind." The books were written in this order on purpose. Fitzkee felt that entertainment was the primary purpose of a magician. Whatever else an audience may expect, the first thing they expect is to be entertained. Then he gets into the mechanics of magic in The Trick Brain, helping the entertainer to hone his or her skill and create original tricks. And finally, in Magic by Misdirection, Fitzkee examines the mental aspects of magic, from both the magician and the spectator's point of view.

You don’t need a white tiger, expensive props, or hours of preparation to do magic. With a little practice, some clever misdirection (which lays at the heart of all magic tricks), and showmanship, you can surprise family, friends, and coworkers using a few everyday items! If you’re looking to saw a beautiful women in half or make buildings disappear, we’re sorry, but this book isn’t you. But if you want to act out little miracles that you can perform on the spur of the moment with items that are usually within reach, then Magic For Dummies can show you how. Magic For Dummies features more than 90 easy-to-perform deceptions, illusions, and sleights of hand for any event or occasion. You’ll discover how to perform entertaining card tricks, coin tricks, disappearing acts, as well as the always-popular mind reading trick. You’ll even see how easy it is to make money disappear as well as melt a saltshaker! Chock-full of show-stopping tricks, Magic For Dummies will: Get you started with easy-to-learn magic tricks Let you turn a restaurant into a your stage with tricks that include utensils, mugs, and even food Show you how to use a deck of cards to perform endless magic tricks Make you the life of the party with tricks such as “Call This Number,” “The Strength Test,” and “The Phantom Photo” Get you out of tough situations by giving you ten things to say when things go wrong Filled with photos, patter, and presentation tips for every trick in the book, Magic For Dummies offers a great opportunity to become familiar with some of the coolest magic tricks ever performed. With the help of author David Pogue and the stunning tricks contributed by thirty-five of America’s top professional magicians, you’ll be leaving your friends, family, and coworkers spellbound at your mastery of the mystical arts.

Finally back in print, the complete Blackstone story and the history of magic from the 1920s to today. This much in-demand classic gift book contains over 250 photos & drawings exploring the complete Blackstone story and a vivid and varied appreciation of the history, science, and art of illusion and magic from ancient Egypt to vaudeville to Broadway, Las Vegas, and television. It contains 20 classic magic routines in detailed execution. Traces the history of magic, describes the acts of prominent magicians, and demonstrates some basic cup, card, and coin tricks.

Would You Like to Become More Commanding, Convincing, And Charismatic? In this book, Steve Cohen, master magician and star of the long-running Chamber Magic show in New York City, will reveal the secrets of all great showmen and magicians—how to persuade, influence, and charm, and ultimately accomplish the things you've always wanted to do. As Cohen writes, "You'll discover how to take over a room, read people, and build anticipation to a feverish pitch so people are burning to hear what you have to say." Win the Crowd will teach you Steve Cohen's Maxims of Magic, simple rules you can use to take charge of practically any situation, from on-the-job disagreements to dating to important cocktail parties. The Maxims of Magic will wash away insecurities and hesitations, and replace them with confidence, poise, and leadership. What's more, Steve Cohen will show you: How to Create a Magic Moment. Capturing people's imaginations and attention so they listen carefully to every word you say. How to Command a Room. Showing everyone in the room that you are speaking right to them, making them all feel unique—and completely focused on you. How to Read People. Learning to sense what people are feeling and thinking as you speak, what they want from you, and how to make them feel like they are getting it. Misdirection. The most important trick in all of magic—getting inside people's heads, and directing what they are thinking at every minute. When you strip away the sleight of hand tricks, magicians are essentially masters of attracting and holding attention and impressing audiences, exactly the psychological secrets you need to be successful in life and business.

Acclaimed television producer and author John Fisher has assembled an unparalleled cast in the pages of Heroes of Magic. Combining firsthand experience and behind-the-scenes stories with deep historical understanding, each profile captures the essence of its subject. Weaving together life stories, anecdotes, and historical accomplishments, these pages contain rich and personal profiles of lives often shrouded in secrecy.Here, both struggles and triumphs are all on exhibit. From the kindhearted conjuring of David Devant to the thought-thievery of Maurice Fogel; from the laugh-provoking trickery of Tommy Cooper and Jay Marshall to the adroit sleight-of-hand of Ricky Jay and Cardini; from the grand illusions of Richiardi and Robert Harbin to the elegant sorcery of Fred Kaps and Rene Lavand, these magicians attained a status of something much more than mere entertainers.Each one created miracles that persist, and personas that inspire the imagination, one generation after another. Through the pages of Heroes of Magic, and the insider's view they provide, now you can understand what made that possible.448 oversize pages in deluxe cloth bound hardcover with dust-jacket, illustrated with hundreds of photographs.With an introduction by Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and an afterword by noted theatrical illusion designer Paul Kieve.