Is there someone here that agrees with me that The Complete Course in Magic By Joshua Jay is a good book?

It depends.

If you are just starting out in magic it might be a good source to learn a few TRICKS. If you get serious about the ART of magic you will want to obtain additional literature containing more in-depth knowledge.

I started out with "Magic for Dummies", which I consider comparable with this book in a way (lame comparison, I know). Now I own a lot of books about the art of magic, but without the first one maybe I never would have started out in the first place.

So for beginner it is much value for the money, and you get a good idea what categories of magic are to your liking. Just my 2 cent.

I agree with you that it's a good book

I bought it at the same time as I bought Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. The photos seduced me. The DVD demonstrations made me think it was a better deal than Mark Wilson's book.

Here's my honest take on it about 7 months later. It is still a pretty good get-started book. Some of it is really talking down to the reader (his little intro with two drawings and the memory questions he asks - I'm normally good at puzzles like that but most of his questions are cheating, meant to teach a lesson about misdirection, but it is a bad example when you are asking questions about parts of the picture that are not there; it is insulting and actually biased me against the rest of the book - rant over). The included DVD convinced me I had to get an Invisble Deck. I'm sure not sorry I did. There are a few neat tricks in here and I do think it is worth having, but I would not call it a great book for long-term understanding of magical performance. As stated by Olaf, it will teach you some tricks. It is up to you to determine what you will do with them.

-Patrick

Is good...Very Explained for someone searching in Borders for secrets, But is Good I need to recognize that!

As a book intending to get people started on the road to magic, absolutely worthwhile.

I agree with everyone but I guess what I mean was that it just has some powerful effecs in it and it teaches some small lessons.

It is a pretty good book. But Magic for Dummies/Idiots, and Wilson's Course, followed by Tarbell's Complete Course will give you a lot more.

Josh is nursing a broken bone right now. Best wishes for his speedy recovery and life back as an entertaining magician.

I do like the book.

Of course, there are loads of great ones to get you busy doing magic. The best ones are the ones that work for you. After all, you are the magician. (I don't think I have ever disposed of one in nearly fifty years!)

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Along with Wilson's book, its the best place to start for a beginner (well Harry Lorayne's The Magic Book might be better, as far as learning close-up magic goes, but you won't find it at Border's...). Has a few nice tricks for more experienced magicians too, and at a great price...

-Rob

I think Josh's book is an excllent first book, esecially if someone doesn't know, yet, how far with magic they will end up going. His performance on the DVD are fun, and it's a great sampling of tricks overall.

But there's more to it than that, even. I really appreciate the efforts he makes to fully crdit each effect, to expose the reader t som great names in magic along with some magic history, and to get a little into his philosophy of good vs. stale magic.

I'm sorry he's dealing with an injury, by the way. Recover quickly, J!

Yes, healthy wishes Josh!

You can download Joshua Jay's free 92 page ebook, Under, Over at:

http://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-d......er-over/

:magicrabbit:

Thanks for the link pradell!

I aslo think it is a great book to get someone into magic with many excellent effects. The explanations are clear and the photos help in the learning process.

He fell off a boat and hit a bouy.

Oh that's not good.

Both Joshua Jay's and Mark Wilson's books were great introductions into my pursuit of magic. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Josh!

I 2nd that...He is quickly becoming one of my favs...