I think that Mark Wilson's Complete Book of Magic is a great reource. Wonderful effects at an extremely reasonable price. This was my first magic book. Last year I bought a copy for my 9 year old daughter. Classics like " You Do as I Do" can not be beat at any age.

I found this one at my local library:

The Australian Magician's Handbook by Richard Deutch.

As a beginner, I'm finding it pretty useful.

Also, this book:

The Practical Encyclopedia of Magic by Nicholas Einhorn

It has full-colour photos for everything, which makes it nice and easy to follow.

'Modern Coin Magic' by J.B Bobo made me the coin magician I am today. 5 stars.

Check it out at http://www.coin-magic-tricks.com

Excellent suggestions, looks like I am on the right track

I also like the Royal Road.

For me I suggest:

1. Maximum Entertainment by Ken Webber
2. Easy to Master Card Miracle by Michael Ammar (DVD)
3. 13 step to mentalism
4. JB Bobo Coin Magic
5. David Roth Expert Coin Technique
6. Book Of Wonders (2 Vol)

I have been involved in magic for fourty some years. I say this not to date myself but to simply tell a novice, to this most interesting art, craft, hobby, profession or whatever you wish to make of it my recommended reading. There are a number of books I could recommend for specific branches of magic. But for OVERALL interests, I would highly recommend Henry Hay's 'Amateur Magician's Handbook' and of course the 'Tarbell Course in Magic'. Tarbell's Course is somewhat outdated but with eight volumes it covers a lot. Cost wise and for what one gets, you can't go wrong.

Card college if you're into card magic and are not on a tight budget.

I would just have to say, you can not go wrong with Mark Wilson's book. I still refer to it today. I bought it many years ago. It has almost everything you would need to know.
have fun!

Hi.. My first book was Mark Wilson's book. Then I purchased the Tarbell set. They are fantastic resources and I refer to them quite regularly. Great Choices

I just purchased a Mark Wilson book on eBay. After I paid for it, I realized that the book I bought was called "Mark Wilson's Cyclopedia of Magic - A Complete Course" and not the "Complete Course" that most everyone on here has been recommending.

Is there a big difference between the two?

I bought the mark wilson course of magic, it seemed dated, I enjoyed the other book with the instructional dvd.

I learned lots from that.

Which book with a DVD?

Probably Joshua Jay's book Magic the Complete Course...am I correct Naason?

Vinny

Corindas 13 steps to mentalism should not be without Richard Osterlinds DVDs, especially for the beginner.

Strangely, the book is 40 years older than the DVDs

What is strange about that?

Strange is the statement that it is not good enough on its own.

Feet may be 40 Billion Years old, and it is still nice to have a car...

For the beginner it is invaluable to have a reference book on the one hand and also the supporting DVDs, which show how to put it to life.