That’s interesting to hear, if you read his book strong magic it would all make more sense. Performers have a persona that they perform as like con man(Whit Haydn), crazy funny magician (Amazing Johnathan), serious, gentlemen magician (Rene Lavand) and too many to list here. The point is that each magician had his “stick” and all of his effect have to go with that persona. Ortiz does just that. That’s the persona that he uses, it may not be for everyone but it works for him.

Here’s a short description about the book...

"As a successful professional magician for almost twenty years, Darwin Ortiz has appeared before thousands of audiences of all kinds. During that time he has studied what it takes to really move an audience. In Strong Magic he presents the results of those years of study and experience."

I second the recommendation of "Strong Magic"

I personally wouldn't recommend this book. Any other book out there will teach you the same concepts in a MUCH more interesting read. It was an extremely dry and boring read from start to finish (written in a formal-essay style), I found. While you can learn some great (yet, like Scott said, basic) things from it, its just as much money to buy any other book

Strong Magic is excellent. Simply put. However, it is my opinion that 'Showmanship for Magicians' by Fitzkee is the best magic book out there on terms of presentation.

I’ve had Docc Hilford’s video ”How to Turn Ordinary Tricks into Mind-Shaking Miracles” recommended to me. Anyone seen it? It can be bought here:

http://floraco.safeshopper.com/3/26.htm?229

And this site has some recommendations that are not on this thread:

http://members.aol.com/scottcram/presentation.html

I am proof reading my translation of OUR MAGIC for the third time. I get always overwhelmed by Maskelyne's writing. He is the Nostradamus in Magic. He knew everything about today's magic.

A must read for good magicians. Not a must read for bad magicians as bad magicians will be discouraged by this book. You will know you are which by reading this book.

Hideo Kato

Whooooo, a lot of awesome books already mentioned!
I couldn't agree more.
Still some very interesting and thought provoking themes and concepts are hidden in more practical works.
-Chicago Surprise by Whit Haydn has some fascinating thoughts. As well as the books on Fast & Loose and 3-card monte.
-A lot of good essays are scattered over Mike Close's Workers series .
-The introductory chapters of John Carney's Carneycopia.
-Brainfood by David Parr.
-In Concert by Roger Klause.

And I'm certainly looking forward to the soon to be released (hopefully) book by Tom Stone. I bought some of his pdf files and they are excellent!

My must reads are:

Magic & Meaning by Eugene Burger and Robert Neale (Explores the roots and symbolic nature of conjuring from an almost anthropological standpoint, very heavy stuff)

Our Magic by Maskelyne & DeVant (A masterwork that should be in every serious library in my opinion)

Dai Vernon Book of Magic by Lewis Ganson (Read it and notice the thought process involved with creating each effect. Once you begin to understand how the audience's attention is directed and subtley influenced you'll have pure gold)

Magic of Slydini by Lewis Ganson (Again, read it for the thought process involved)

Tarbell Course (There's a lot of theory spread throughout the myriad of effects)

At least some introductory text books on psychology and anthropology. (Knowing how people perceive and interact with reality is one of the surest ways to discover the secrets of how to break that reality for them)

I almost forgot Magic With Faucett Ross by Ganson and Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz.

I was going through my magic library and was re-reading on called "The Stein and Day Handbook of Magic" by Marvin Kaye.

Tricks are ok, but there are some great chapters on magic performance and theory.

D'OH!

That was the first book on magic that I bought that wasn't just a collection of effects and canned scripts. It really changed my approach to the art during my teenage years.

You're right Neale, there's some great theory in there that provides a strong foundation for futher growth.

Same goes for Henry Hay's "Amatuer Magician's Handbook." It really is the poor man's Tarbell as many are fond of saying.

Thanks for reminding me of those two volumes.

Lots of good suggestions here. This thread needs reviving. I'll add that all of Ron Bauer's series contain gems on theory.

Are there any of these books on audio?

Well, if the thread needs reviving, I'll second DrWilson and name:

1. The Dariel Fitzkee trilogy, especially vols 1 and 3, "Showmanship for Magicians" and "Magic by Misdirection."

2. Henning Nelms "Magic and Showmanship."

and I'll add to the overall list:

3. Tommy Wonder "The Books of Wonder" volume 2 specifically for the subject of this thread (though volume 1 is excellent for a series of wonderful effects you might like to perform).

Sally,

I can't say I've ever seen any magic book at all in audio format. At least for those I've named, I wouldn't be interested in audio format. The main reason is that this is heavy and slow reading which requires changing your preconceptions of how you've always done things, putting aside the "Everybody knows that..." conventional wisdom you've picked up over the years.

Sometimes you have to reread a sentence or a paragraph 2 or 3 times to finally grasp the subtle, underlying meaning of it. Portions of these books also require some minor artwork to demonstrate a point. Both of these aspects are poorly achieved, if at all, in audio format.

But, you never know. Someone may have recorded it and convinced Dover or Hermetic Press to publish the audio version. Best of luck to you in your search.

Richard

May I add "Designing Miracles" to the list?

I read Magic and Showmanship as a kid and it had quite an impact on me.