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technojeff New user Jeff Whiting 24 Posts |
Classifying myself as a beginner who started way too late! I have looked at most of the books mentioned in this thread and certainly have found most of the books very useful. What I found is that they all bring a different slant to magic, which gave me a great insight into the width of Magic.
My advice is not to be in too much of a rush to decide where you want to specialize. Take a broad view and find your own comfort and enjoyment levels. If I had to choose one book which has open my eyes, it has to be "The Magic Book" by Harry Lorrayne. He takes the tricks apart and then having been through the trick thoroughly, has a great "afterthoughts" section which gives all sorts of ideas and guidance for making the trick your own. In fact, I have now been working through the Harry Lorrayne Apocalypse books. They are great for close up work. Costly but much recommended. This man has made me think again about what I can achieve. One final note - Don't rush out and buy the latest "packet trick" they have a very short lasting appeal. The stuff in the books and on video gives far better value for money and also gives you the tools for your own creations. Regards |
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Stevosapprentice New user 11 Posts |
My friend has the 3 Volume set of Paul Harris, THE ART OF ASTONISHMENT. I know that these are advanced books, but how good do I need to get to achieve these books.
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Fon Regular user London, UK 200 Posts |
Anyone wanting to learn real card magic, IE non self working tricks, Good fake shuffels etc, should read the Royal road to card magic,
Fab book, Fon
Always thinking..........?
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SloMo150 Regular user Speedway, Indiana 121 Posts |
Speaking as someone new, I have Wilson's cyclopedia Magic occurs. It is the small paperback book. I love it. It shows a wide range of tricks. This way I can practice some from each and figure out what I really like. Also have Modern Coin Magic by J.B. Bobo. another goldmine. There is a study guide put out but at the moment I can't find the web address. If interested in it just drop me an e-mail and I will find it.
Hey wanna see me pull a rabbit from my hat, (lion appears). I gotta get a new Hat.
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Ari_R New user 72 Posts |
Well, I don't know if this was mentioned but the "Now you see it now you don't" lessons in sleights are good. Then if your looking into card magic there is a book called "Card Magic" by Bill Simon
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RayBanks Special user Nassau Bay, TX 533 Posts |
Opie Houston's guide to studying Bobo can be found here
http://www.zyworld.com/coinpurse/articles90.htm It's really good, try it out.
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Pick a card, any card...No. not THAT one...THIS one Ray Banks |
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Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
I'm a BIG fan of The Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic as well as the "Card College" series but I must also put a good word in for David Pogue's "Magic For Dummies" and Tom Ogden's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks."
Even though they have condescending titles, many of the effects they contain are world class (for example: Chad Long's "The Shuffling Lesson" from the "Dummies" book). The average layperson isn't going to buy and study these books so working a few of these gems into your repertoire is not only safe but a delight for your spectators. Also, the simplicity in method of many of the tricks means you are free to concentrate more on the PRESENTATION which, for many of us, is REALLY what the whole performance thing is all about anyway. Ask any mentalist.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
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dekkeret New user Paris 54 Posts |
I also highly recommend "The Magic Book" by Harry Lorayne. You will learn the tricks AND the philosophy.
"I can only show you the door, you're the one who has to walk through it."
Morpheus to Neo in "The Matrix" |
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maurile Regular user San Diego 102 Posts |
I think David Pogue's Magic For Dummies is by far the best book I've seen for beginners. The effects are all very strong for the low skill level required to perform them, and they are presented much more clearly and with many more helpful tips than those in Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic (which is good for breadth, but not really for depth).
I'd also recommend any of the Penn & Teller books just because they're so fun. For an introductory video tape, I'd go with Michael Ammar's The Exciting World of Magic -- although most of what's covered on that tape is also in the For Dummies book, which is really the better value. Finally, I have to say that even though they're recommended to beginners all the time, I'm not very high on Hugard's or Bobo's books. I think Kaufman's video, Basic Card Technique, is much easier to learn from than Royal Road or Expert Card Technique; and the David Roth videos are much easier to learn from than Modern Coin Magic. For complete beginners, it really helps to see the moves being performed instead of just reading about them. |
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David Smyth Regular user Stourbridge, UK 146 Posts |
Mark Wilson's 'Cyclopedia of Magic' gets my vote...
I was lucky to stumble across it. When I was younger I bought it as I had a small interest in magic, little did I know how useful this book would be!!!
Back at the magic...
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Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
There has been some really good information, in this thread! Wish I knew about this group years ago!
I am going to add my 2 pennies worth on the subject of kid show magic, as I seem to have more than my share of books on the subject. If you are even thinking about doing Pre-K, run don't walk to Sammy Smith's book, Kiddi Patter and little feats. This is a great book! Professional magic for childern and Kidbiz by David Ginn, gets better and better everytime I read it! I also like The comedy magic text book, lots of good information. Just me, Kevin |
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Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
Actually, you can find some real gems in the series of Bob Longe paperback books found in most well-stocked bookstores (such as Barnes & Noble).
I've fooled many a layperson, and magician, with some of those tricks. They continue to be some of my favorite browsing material. And they're reasonably priced, too.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
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Gawin Regular user Germany 171 Posts |
For German users I suggest:
Handbuch der Magie from Joachim Zmeck Let´s become international |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
The Magic Book, by Harry Lorayne, is probably the best -- and most underrated -- book for beginners and old hands, alike.
He literally begins with "this is a deck of cards". While that may seem a bit too obvious for some performers, these are usually the very ones who need this sort of thing. Remember, Harry originally wrote the book for the lay public and wrote it from the premise that the reader knew nothing about magic. So it's step-by-step instructions are invaluable. The next recommended book would be Bobo's Modern Coin Magic, and not just for the coin work, but for the routining. And, when you've mastered -- completely mastered -- both these books, you can stop; in fact, you'd better stop because, by then, you'll probably be about 200 years old! cheers, Peter Marucci |
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Dr. TORA Inner circle TURKEY 1439 Posts |
Hi there, I want to include my suggestions on the subject.
In fact most of the best books are listed but my favourites that I recommend to my students are: -Henry Hay's "Amateur Magician's Handbook" -Henry Hay's "Learn Magic" -Annneman's "Parctical Mental Magic" (Dover edition is OK and at a very reasonable price around 10 dollars.) -Willane's "Complete Methods of Miracle" available in Davenports in London and invaluable for the beginning artist of sleight of hand -Gibson's "Professional Magic for Amateurs" - All the Dover publications of Karl Fulves books at a very reasonable price and reasonable printing quality. I hope it may make some sense for the beginners. These are not so expensive but sooo effective.
Magically Yours,
OZLEN TUNCER /Dr.TORA Have you visited my new Website in English, yet? www.magictora.com or www.torasmagic.com |
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Tricky Regular user 108 Posts |
I mainly do cards, so I reckon I can give some pointers to people who wanna start with cards as their main area.
If you want to get seriously into cards then you will need to have either Card College Volume 1-4. these are great because you can go in one side knowing next to nothing (not even how to hold a deck) and come out the other side as an accomplished card worker. Also a thing to go along side these (I know they are videos) are the Easy to Master Card Miracles Series. But, if you want a video to teach card work then you need the Daryl Encyclopedia or the Ackerman vids, these aren't set out as a course, but it's more of a reference type of thing. james |
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David Fogel New user Minneapolis, Minnesota 87 Posts |
Lots of excellent suggestions here. Let me add one more that I don't believe anybody mentioned: "Magic and Showmanship," by Hennings Nelms (Dover is the publisher).
The title says it all. It won't teach you tricks (but you've already got 25 suggestions above to do that). It'll teach you something, perhaps, even more valuable. How to turn a trick into a piece of entertainment. I was lucky to stumble across this book when I was about 11 years old and starting to get serious about magic. Good luck!
davidfogel@attbi.com
"I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there, Please save me Superman!" Homer J. Simpson |
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Dr. TORA Inner circle TURKEY 1439 Posts |
OOOPs, I want to add also the series:
Novak's "Art of Escape" for the escapology. Each volume covers a different subject and they are easy to read. I remain.
Magically Yours,
OZLEN TUNCER /Dr.TORA Have you visited my new Website in English, yet? www.magictora.com or www.torasmagic.com |
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Dream&Magic New user England 16 Posts |
Ok, it's not books but I'd absolutely recommend the Encyclopedia of Card Sleights video series by Daryl.
These videos are packed with fantastic information, ideas and moves! |
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trevorsmagic Regular user The U.K. 186 Posts |
My choices to get you going;
Bobos Modern Coin Magic Restaurant Workers Handbook, by Jim Pace Royal Road to Card Magic and maybe a few videos; 25 Tricks with Svengali Decks 25 Tricks with Sspongeballs ........trevor |
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