I agree with Tom.Bill Tarr’s Now You See It, Now You Don’t was the first book I got and it and it had my interest flowing.i still consider myself a beginner( a good beginner hahah) .a beginner should start with a book which cover many stuff but up to a certain extent otherwise he'll face the hard sleights and he'll loose interest .it will also help him to understand what genre of magic he is willing to get into.the books should be based mainly on non gimmick magic or the gimmicks that are easy to make .after I thoroughly finished Now You See It, Now You Don’t .i got myself bobo's,hugard,royal road to card magic,erdnase ,slydini,tamariz,fritz books etc and bought some real gimmicks.(I'm actually still reading these books and just got the Tarbell magic course..These books are amazing and considered as bibles of magic.

the point is maybe I wouldn't have cling on to magic if I hadn't started with bill tarr's book.i would have been lost if I started with the big bobo's book or hugard's or fritz as they are really hard to finish off and some sleights take time to master.Now You See It, Now You Don’t is a small book and can make anyone feel that he can perform magic whether closeup in the table,streets or even stage.i believe this is the biggest boost one can have.i also recommend some books on performance like Tamariz's five points on magic.

I agree, Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic, it covers a broad range of topics and has excellent illustrations. Its cheap and available from amazon.

Hi all; I'm trying to attempt the Penn and Teller Shadow trick (the one with the flower) for a school project, but I'm rather new to magic and not sure how it's done. Any inputs or advice would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

I found most of my closeup repetoire from Jon Tremaine amazing book of magic and the book of closeup magic 1&2 by Lewis Ganson

Hey,

I'm a beginner too; just working my way through Mark Wilsons, and I'm loving the process. I do get a bit impatient at times, but I'm dealing with it! I've got myself the DVD version of Bobo's Modern Coin Magic, and was wondering whether I should get the book as well. Any suggestions? Thanks!

As already mentioned I would advise Card College by Roberto Giobbi. I myself as a novice returning to cards belive it is the course for any card magician regardless of skill level. The Card College Light series also is a recommendation to accompany the main series due to its easier to master tricks which allow you to start doing illusions while learning sleights from the main. Just my two cents.

I gotta go with Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic, being one of my very first magic books when I was a kid. It covers so much. And of course for coin magic, Bobo's Modern Coin magic is a must have.

Not trying to promote my site, but you can check it out if you're only after some simple and fun magic. The link 'Magic Tricks Central' is in my signature if you're interested. Created to share some fun magic tricks around

The first book I read was Royal Road to Card Magic and then Modern Coin Magic I am now reading Tarbells course in magic all of these I believe are great (most books are) I have yet to crack the cover of Mark Wilsons book but that is next I kinda like DVD's more for me it is easier to see and mimic "the move" that I am trying to learn. I have MCM DVD's and they are great very helpful for someone like me who likes to learn by video. Sean.

An outstanding list! I would, likewise, put Henry Hay's book at the top of the list. And, personally, I'd probably read Our Magic before reading Greater Magic. And don't forget Dai Vernon!
All great books.

My first Magic book was Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic and I trully love this book. The book covers numerous branches of Magic and a beginner will learn how to appreciate learning a magic trick at the same time appreciate the performance aspect of magic.

I have been performing magic for 15 years and even today I will go back look through the book and often find an effect I can use and be able to add sleights or take the concept and add to an existing routine enhancing the effect all together.

Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic Highly recommended for all beginners.

There are some great suggestions here- I think that DVD's also have much to offer because they show the trick being performed, usually very well and often using text to explaine a trick just isn't clear enough.

For a beginner wanting to perform strong "Street magic" I'd recommend this
http://www.squidoo.com/street_magic
(My review of "Street Magic" by Paul Zenon) because it's excellently written with clear photographs.

I've significantly rekindled my childhood affection for magic in the last 5 months. During this time I've highly enjoyed Joshua Jay's Complete Course in Magic. The large pics and great DVD have been huge. I've also gained some valuable stuff from Magic for Dummies.

I really appreciate all of the posts from you veterans. This will save me some time and money on my book selections.

I also think the card college books are essential for a beginner in card magic

Jak Pan to Robi - Jerzy Mecwaldowski Caroni
Aleksander Wadimov
Sekrety Kart - Jerzy Mecwaldowski Caroni

This books are in polish language

I am new to magic and the first book I bought was by Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. It is very helpful, fun to do. It teaches you the basic sleight of hands necessary for card magic. some routine for mentalism and other magic tricks using ordinary things.

Highly recommended!!

Mark Wilson's course in magic is great,a must for every beginner and even advanced magicians.

A book that I started with and believe to be very helpful - Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms. There's plenty of good insight to be had from this. You'll learn some good effects - but more importantly, you'll learn about Magic.

Thought guys reading this post might want to know that Alibris books has a sale.
The Art of Magic and Sleight of Hand by N Einhorn for $0.99 better get them while they last
Steve

Knack Magic Tricks by Richard Kaufman

Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring by Gabe Fajuri

My Best (J.G. Thompson)