What I DON'T mean by this is the best book of magic, or even necessarily a book containing effects. It could be fiction, or the history of magic, or something philosophical, or whatever. I'm also not referring simply to a book that best "captures" the field of magic (thought that would be interesting too). I mean the most literate book written around the theme of magic (as an art/tradition, that is, not Harry Potter magic). Since I'm new to this, I can't give my own recommendations; I'm just looking for things to read that will deepen my aesthetic appreciation of magic.

For me, OUR MAGIC by John Nevil Maskelyn.

As I thought OUR MAGIC is one of most important books for magicians, I started translating it on my site. Mr.Maric, the today's No.1 Japanese magician, read it and invited me to publish it in the book form. It was realized very soon, and I am working with Mr.Maric at Japan Cardicians School.

Hideo Kato

Thank you for that fascinating choice!

Mike Hanson

For an enjoyable read about a period of history in magic and some very intresting magicians of the period, I definately reccomend "Hiding The Elephant" by Jim Steinmeyer. Excellent book.

I just started reading Steinmeyers book about Chung Ling Soo, it's shaping up to be a nice read as well.

I do believe "Hiding the Elephant" fits your description above; "literate book written around the theme of magic (as an art/tradition, that is, not Harry Potter magic)." It's also available at your local bookstore in paperback.

Vandy

Yes, this is very much the kind of thing I was thinking of, thanks! Now it's off to Amazon for me...

I agree, "Hiding the Elephant" is excellent. You can't go wrong there.

K

There are some good biographies out there.-
Chung ling Soo, or Dai Vernon
I can recommend "Phantoms of the Card Table"

"Hiding the Elephant" is an excellent read, it's true. I very much enjoyed "Carter Beats the Devil" as well. I read it before I started out in magic and found it more or less unputdownable. Highly recommended.

Nick

I forgot about "Carter Beats the Devil". Excellent book and easy to read.

K

I have to admit, I didn't really care for "Carter Beats The Devil" myself. That said, I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it because reading is fundamental. But that one left me cold. I think we'd all agree of the two "Hiding the Elephant' is a much better book. Or maybe we wouldn't agree, but that my $.02 worth.

Vandy

"Phantoms of the Card Table" was truly brilliant! I strongly suggest it!

Eugene Poinc's The Practitioner is a good read.

Also Magic & Meaning by Eugene Burger and Robert Neale talks about history of magic, going back to the Shamans etc, and philosophy.

Agreed Owl, probably the best book on magic, with some fantastic effects, is Eugene Burger's book. Great thinking.

Simon

See also Paul Curry's "Magician's Magic" - excellent, very readable. Gives a potted history of magic and illusion and includes some great effects - including OOTW.

Nick

Well, Thanks! I'll try to get a copy of Hiding The Elephant.

Wow, what a fantastic selection! I wouldn't have known of any of these without the pointers. Thanks and thanks!

Mike

I would not reccomend this book to you as you are just starting off, but The Book of Secrets by John Carney really got me thinking on how not to think like a magician. It has both brilliantly routines effects and thoughtful chapters on theory. Something to serriously think about reading once you have your ground work down.

Hiding the Elephant is also at the top of my list! I even get my non-magician buddies to read it.

Cheers,

Cameron Fisk

I also liked phantoms of the card table.

I finished Jim Steinmeyers latest offering;

"The Glorious Deception: The Double Life of William Robinson, aka Chung Ling Soo, the "Marvelous Chinese Conjurer""

I recommend it.

Vandy

I would recommend "Strong Magic" and "Magic of Ascanio".

I recently finished "Strong Magic", which I felt was both an entertaining and educational read. I just started on the book "Magic of Ascanio", which so far has been excellent.

I also enjoyed the various essays and ramblings in "Art of Astonishment"... I wish Paul Harris would compile his thoughts and conversations (with other magicians) into a book.

All of these offered some great insight into magic.

Steve