I hope someone can help me here. About 25 years ago I received a birthday present. It was a book on magic that my parents purchased at a bookstore such as Barnes and Nobles etc. I think it was titled "The Big Book of Magic" and may have had an English magician as the writer. What was so unique about this book was how comprehensive it was on the full spectrum of magic from sleight of hand to large scale illusions. It had numerous pictures and exposed some of the most guarded secrets of the time. It included exdplanations on all the common secrets such as the thumb tip, appearing and disappearing wands, square circle, dove productions from body loads, sword suspension, etc. I remember being amazed that such a book was available to the public, but it was also a real boon for a young man such as myself interested in magic at the time. I have since lost the book, anyone familiar with the book I am talking about?

Patrick Page - I heard he got kicked out of the Magic Circle for exposure for writing this book and releasing it to the general public.

I'm not sure I understand what the trouble was. Nearly all magic books we read are available to the "general public".

Thanks Randy, yes, it must have been Patrick Page. I remember the drawings had a magician that looked like him. Was the title the "Big Book of Magic" Magicbarry, if you have seen this book, you might better understand what the "fuss" was about. The book was released for "general consumption" but had practically every secret/gimmick exposed. I loved the book as an early aspiring magician though.

I believe I've seen it ... but I don't recall looking through it. If I did, I wasn't particularly alarmed. I've never been terribly concerned about any book "exposing" magic secrets. Few books sell in large enough quantities to have any impact on us whatsoever. I'm not sure what the gold standard in the US is, but in Canada, 5000 units is considered a "bestseller" -- and few books sell even that many copies. So, even a bestseller is going to have a negligible impact. If there was a fuss about this, I think this is a good example of magicians being a little too uptight about exposure.

Come to think of it, this book was published over 20 years ago, and Magicbarry your are right, releasing that book has not hurt the magic community one bit. I perform many of the effects in the book. But, the idea of a professional magician releasing a book for profit to the general public exposing some guarded secrets just doesn't sit well with me. Just my two cents.

I used to feel the same way until I finally realized and found out, the general public is really not interested in purchasing a book on magic.I probably can safely say the majority of magic books purchased at most book stores are purchased by people involved in the field of magic.I never recalled anyone who was not into magic coming up to me and saying "I saw that trick you showed me the other day in this magic book I bought", never will happen. So rest assured our secrets are safe...
Rennie

I agree, books about magic don't bother me very much, since that's what we all learned from. Anyone who can make it through Professor Hoffman's "Modern Magic" deserves whatever he/she can glean from it. Besides, if I recall correctly, David Devant was also kicked out of the Magic Circle for much the same reason, so Mr. Page is in good company!

I'm much more concerned about jerks like the Masked Magician pimping for the Fox Network's television series of exposures. These programs were totally gratuitous, without merit and seen by millions of people at once. SETH

I believe the reason that this particular book (of which I bought a copy in a bargain bookshop years ago) caused an upset was that it was "book of the month" for a popular bookclub.

I visited The Magic Circle the other day and met Patrick Page in the library, so I assume they've forgiven him.......