Just a pointer to a very useful book on illusions I have recently received.

It's featured on Paul Osborne's site, http://www.osborneillusionsystems.com, and is by Eric Van Duzer.

Illusion theory and practice is broken down into the seven basic methodolgies that make them work - (hidden-spaces, black-art etc) - and the whole area is covered pretty comprehensively.

I'm not involved with the people behind this book at all but wanted to mention it because it's exactly the kind of explanatory, thorough book I've been looking for for a long time, (ie, not just illusion-plans).

Some of the illustrations are a little small and not very well reproduced, but if you want to get into this field of magic, it's well worth a look.

I just received it and it's great!

New illusions??? Old illusions?? 90 illusions described???

How about a short review and description of contents.

This is the first I have heard of this book.

Blair Marshall
"ShaZzam!"

Sounds like a must have for any serious magic library. Still I haven´t heard from it before myself. Is it fairly new?

Ok, here's a breakdown of the contents:

Chapter One HIDING BEHIND
Overlapping Planes
Swinging Doors
Impossible Events
Tilting Panels

Chapter Two HIDING SPACES/DECEPTIVE DETAILING
Body Position
Tapers
Segmenting Visual Space
Swinging Doors
Expandable Space

Chapter Three MASKING
Black Art Theatre
Full Frame Above The Stage
Removable Masking
Breaking Up The Masked Area
Matching The Inside Of The Cabinet
Matched Anything

Chapter Four MIRRORS AND GLASS
V-Mirrors
90 Degree Applications
Horizontal-Diagonal
Periscope
Odd Angles
Scrim
Glass As Mirror

Chapter Five TRAPDOORS
Trapdoors In The Stage
Trapdoors Through The Equipment
Trapdoors From One Cabinet To Another

Chapter Six FAKE FORM
Wire Forms
Prosthetics
People As Fake Forms
Twins
Silhouettes

Chapter Seven SECRET MECHANICAL DEVICES
Visible Support Suspension
Hidden Support Suspension
Floor-Based Levitation
Backdrop Aga Levitation
Wire Arrangements
Sliding Blade
Duplicate Blade
Combined Sliding And Duplicate Blades
Swinging Blade
Flexible Blade


At least one example, (old favourites), is used to illustrate each of these categories.

As I said in the first post, this is not a book of illusion-plans, though there are dimensioned diagrams and practical illusion-building information throughout Van Duzer's taxonomic study of illusion design.

Jazz, this is a new book first published this year by Paul Osborne's Illusion Systems.

Sounds like grest content.

Will take a look to buy.

Thanks for the great post.

Blair Marshall
"ShaZzam!"

Is this available from any of the more popular dealers. Or I have to order it dircectly from Paul Osborne's site?

I've not seen it listed by any dealer.

Then where can I buy this ? It's not for sale ?

Don't worry, Plainman, it IS available. Just reread the first post. In it there is a link to Paul Osborne's website.

Nick Fox

Yes, sorry if I wasn't clear. I've not seen it listed by any true magic-dealers, only at Paul Osborne's website.

As the contents indicate, it must be worthy of systematic study.Just checked the site and it costs $65. Mouth watering.

I can definitely recommend this book. Its purpose can be best summarized from the books introduction: "Most magicians organize their thinking and writing about illusions by effect... Arranging magic by effect or performance requirements makes sense, especially when developing an act. This approach, however, is less than ideal when learning to design new illusions... In contrast to grouping illusions by effect, grouping illusions according to their underlying secrets provides a variety of benefits. This organization makes it possible to explore each basic secret to determine its range of applications and technical requirements."

I first learned of this book through the following review:

http://www.magictalk.com/cgi-bin/reviews.cgi?read=863

Mopa

It's on my Wish List!

Why wait...I am ordering in no time...

Hope to get in few weeks!

I've been hoping to buy this for the past couple of months since I first saw it advertised in MAGIC a while ago. Thanks for the content list and review. Sounds just like a resource I'll need as a future designer. Unfortunately, the last magic purchase set me back a bit, so it will have to wait a bit longer. Thanks again.

I also went to purchase a copy seems it'd be a good addition to any illusioneering library.

Just received my copy ( together with Mayne last book): they seem really a must for anyone interested in illusion design

Fabio

Reading fagani's post above, it would seem that you can get it sent outside the USA.
Can any others confirm that this website can send my a copy over to me here in the little old UK?

Thanks.

Chris.

I bought it directly form the Osborne site and it was here in a couple of days, Netherlands.
And it is probably the best book on illusions for the beginner!!!
It is a great one. It has all you want to know.
I only missed the cage illusion/firecage... lol.
Gr, EVI