I was instrested in learning about the history of magic and the great magicians of the past. I've seen Grand Illusions - The Story of Magic on youtube. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a great book or video on this.

MAGIC by Taschen is not only great, but also big.

Awesome! That's what I'm looking for. The bigger the better.

Thanks john wills!

The Art of Magic (Waldman & Layden)
The Illustrated History of Magic (Christopher)
Conjuring by James Randi
The World's Greatest Magic by Hyla Clark

These are all great suggestions. Thanks motown!

Jim Steinmeyer's books:

1. Hiding the Elephant

2. The Last Greatest Magician in the World

3. The Glorious Deception

4. Art and Artifice

This is great I have a lot of selection! It's eager to learn more about the history of what I love so much! Thanks everyone!

One of my first book on magic was "Street Magic" by Edward Claflin and Jeff Sheridan. Really enjoyed it.

ANNALS of CONJURING by Sidney W. Clark has always been the most important source of information for the student of magic history.

Great suggestions! The Steinmeyer books went on my birthday wish-list.

Great suggestions above!

If you'd like a narrower focus, try "Victorian Magic" by Geoffrey Lamb. It studies those magicians of note from that particular era. http://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Magic-Ge......10084536

Then there are the biographies and autobiographies that tighten the focus even more.

Gus Rapp's book is an autobiographical account of his life on the road. Although some of what he claims may be chalked up to legend, it is an amazing read and one of my favorites. http://www.amazon.com/The-Life-Times-Aug......16638448

"Illusion Show" by David Bamberg is another. http://www.amazon.com/Illusion-Show-A-Li......16638480

There are also the biographies by William Rauscher. http://www.mysticlightpress.com/index.php?page_id=13

And more by Miracle Factory. http://miraclefactory.net/zenstore/

The list goes on and on...