Reviews (1)

Both Structure of Magic Books are powerful but: masterpieces, but...
Structure 1 is well written, clear and concise, but Structure 2 is subtle and intense like a slow moving train that gets fast and fun at the pace you like. Both are informative books, don't get me wrong. But Structure 2 shows that communication and movement within communication is thwe basis of life. Whether its commuincating to your muscles to walk or do whatever, talk to another person, whatever requires communication at any level. In fact these books, I'll say are the spirit-voice of what it takes to live efffectively or the beginnings thereof of understanding that. Structure 1 tells you the map is not the territory, structure 2 tells you how to use the territory with the directions if you have the basic understanding given in 1 of what maps and territories are really for. The questions are asked in 1, the queastions are answered in 2. Anyhow, as Arthur C. Clarke said, technology only seems magical, when you haven't developed up to its level yet. That's what it all comes down to, development and The Structure of Magic Books show that. Step by step, understanding by understanding until you can put it together yourself in its proper order within the territory, and not just on a "silly" map. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. more than that, that's my understanding and I'm growing past it to understand and undertake ever more and ever better. Hats off to Bandler and Grinder and all of their associates, I'm not saying they're the end or the beginnings, but they are an important part of that grand puzzle being solved called "existence and life". But eah person must put it all together for themselves, that's what The Map is Not The Territory means, I know. All right, happy reading if you buy em'!
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Subjects:  1. Magic    2. Psycholinguistics    3. Psychology    4. Psychotherapy    5. Psychotherapy - General    6. Magic & alchemy    7. Mind, Body, Spirit    8. Wicca   

Reviews (5)

A decent beginners book
Karl Fulves has been putting out these kinds of books for what seems like an eternity.They are good books for kids and even a skilled performer can pull some good material from these books.
hahaha....................................magic
i think that this is a great book and it rocks my socks
Any of the Self Working titles are gold mines
Many beginners to magic (and others who should know better) are of the opinion that a magic effect has to be difficult in order to be worthwhile.While there are many killer effects that take months or years of practice, there are equally wonderful tricks that rely on psychology, subtlety, and/or advance preparation.The Self Working series of books are a treasure trove of great magic.This book is no exception.Many of the included tricks are used by successful professional magicians.Admittedly, these are best used in a program with other, more elaborate tricks, but for those moments in your act where you need a short, sweet effect, something in this book might just fill the bill.And as you get more proficient in magic you will find ways to further embellish these tricks and make them your own private miracles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. General    3. Magic tricks    4. Conjuring & magic    5. Games / Magic    6. Indoor games   

Reviews (7)

Average
I picked up this book since I'm a fan of magic and especially Penn and Teller, but was rather disappointed with this book.
HEY PENN AND TELLER FANS!
I bought this book new, and I did get all the extra stuff that came with the book.Trust me, the book itself is all ya need.other than that, the exrta book doesnt have anything really important in it.if anything at all.The book is the most important thing.All you need is just a pair of red and blue 3d glasses for the rest of the stuff in the book if you read the first couple pages you will understand.It is a strange book due to the fact that the majority of the book is just to fool your friends.It doesn have great stories and some good tricks though.out of all 3 books, this is my least favorite but still one of my top 3 all time favs because of the authors.

If you buy, make sure it comes with ALL accessories!
Please take note that this book originally came with a packet of trick accessories and another, smaller book.If you buy this book used and all you get is the main book, then many of the tricks in the book will be useless to you.Such is the case that happened with me.Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedy (Performing Arts)    2. General    3. Humor    4. Magic    5. Practical jokes    6. Tricks    7. Humor / General   

Reviews (8)

One of the two mentalism Bibles
This, along with Corinda's "13 Steps to Mentalism" is an absolute essential for anybody that wants to get into the art of mindreading. It covers all of the main ruses, and Anneman's work with Billets is, in my opinion, unparalleled. Some effects are somewhat dated (i.e. some effects encorporate the "magician's force", which is now widly known by the layman), but considering it was first published in 1944 this is to be expected.
Excellent Book!
Excellent book! This is the best book on magic I have read. It contains well over 100 routines (I started to write tricks, however most of these routines are too complete and well developed to be called tricks.) Each routine tells the effect, any preparation necessary, and the details of performing the routine. These details are were I feel this book shines. It gives suggestions on exact hand placement at all times, the type of patter to use and when to use it, as well as many other forms of misdirection. Being an older reprint some materials suggested are a little out dated, however I found it easy to find modern substitutes. If you like magic and particularly mental magic, this book is a must have.

A Book on Demonstrating How "Psychic" Effects are Performed
This is an amazing look at how some "psychic" tricks such as telekinesis, mind-reading, etc. are done.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Magic    3. Magic tricks    4. Psychology    5. Brain teasers    6. Games / Magic   

Reviews (38)

The 1st magic book I ever got and still the best.
I am a street magican at the Georgia Ren Fair and 85% of the tricks I use on the street come from this book. I got this book back when I was about 11 years old and have found it invaulable!
Complete Course in Magic
This book is GREAT for beginner magicians.It explains everything crystal clear, and gives great pictures to help you learn.This book makes it extremely easy to learn magic, that even a kid could do it.This book is overflowing with magic from the first to the last page.He starts you on basic self-working card tricks, then you start learning some card tricks that require sleight of hand.What is really great about the magic tricks in this book is that they are easy to master.It does not take very long at all to have them mermorized and be able to perform them.He also teaches you various methods of forcing cards.After that, he explains some different and gimmiked cards and what kind of tricks you can do with them.Then comes one of my absolute favorite part in the book.This is also the hardest part in the book, and it is flourishes.He goes from the one handed cut to the one hand fan to springing the cars, and finally ends at throwing a card.The other half of the book is dedicated and filled with coin, rope, silk and hankerchief, impromptu, mental, and billard ball magic.He also goes over some magic tricks which he defines as "betchas".Furthermore, at the end of the book there are some miscellaneous magic tricks.All these sections and tricks are explained just as beautifully as the card tricks.This is an AMAZIng book, and if you are a beginner and just starting magic THIS IS THE BOOK TO GET!!!

Great Magic
Very comprehensive coverage of magic from close up to stage.Methods of performing tricks are easily understood.The background provided by Mr. Wilson is informative and usefull. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Magic tricks    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Magic    6. Magic (Performing Arts)    7. Conjuring & magic    8. Magic & alchemy    9. Mind, Body, Spirit    10. Games   

Reviews (33)

Modern Coin Magic
This review will be simple and to the point.One of the best coin books you can possible find.By reading it, you won't just gain skills with coins. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.Anyway, great book.

Where the best magic is found
You find the best magic in books.
Simply Amazing
Although this book is not really "modern" anymore, I found it to be the most comprehensive and helpful book on coin magic that I have ever read.It gives detailed illustrations and step by step instructions (unlike some other books) and is well worth the effort.I definitely reccomend this book as a great buy, especially if you have been looking around on the internet for somecoin magic that you can easily learn.There really is no website, but this is a great buy at a great price.Definitely buy this book, whether you are a novice magician or an expereienced one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Coin tricks    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Magic    7. Conjuring & magic    8. Games / Magic    9. Indoor games   

Reviews (25)

Still the best deck
I love tarot decks for the art. And this, despite the hundreds I have seen, is still my favorite. Also good for the tarot-a-phobic who have no real understanding of tarot and think it is something bad.

Great First Deck
I got this deck because I was looking for one that was traditional but less stark than the Rider-Waite and similar decks.These cards are absolutely wonderful as a first deck.The images are soft and nice to look at - and most of them have enough detail in the illustrations that a reader can slowly build upon the basics by studying the cards and finding more complex implications.
The Deck I Keep Using & Using & Using....
The Hanson-Roberts was the very first Tarot deck I ever purchased and I learned to read with it. Now after years of collecting and using dozens of different decks, the Hanson-Roberts is the one Tarot deck I keep returning to. It is also the deck I use the most for my personal readings. The artwork is friendly but deep in symbolism. The coloring is wonderfully rendered and pleasing to the eyes. The images facilitate accurate, detailed readings, inspiring intuitive flashes of insight. Even so many years after its initial publication, the Hanson-Roberts remains fresh and very appealing. This deck is excellent both for beginners and for anyone looking for a beautiful addition to their collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cards - Playing / Tarot    2. Divination - Tarot    3. Magic    4. Non-Classifiable    5. Novelty    6. Miscellaneous Items    7. Tarot   

Reviews (25)

I like it!
When I first got the book in the mail I was a TINY bit disappointed in the size, expecting a book the size of the Monster Manual 1, but when I looked through I was presently surprised. It has some very interesting new creatures (Dinosaurs, Gem Dragons, and Phoenix caught by eye when fist browsing over the Table of Contents) and the layout is great. A perfect amount of tables, neat spacing, and beautiful pictures make the book easy and fun to pick out monsters or look through when your bored. Though it does pull slightly away from the "old school" fantasy setting of goblins, orcs, knolls etcetera, it's a great book for DMs that want to make campaigns more interesting and for players intrigued by cool new monsters.
Time for an update...
Some interesting new entries in the D20 universe such as the infamous gem dragons :) but the format is still 3.0e and starting to show its age, very difficult to use any of the LA's PC possible entries... MMII is not 3.5 Compliant
A good book for its time, but DMs should take note that this book is dated.Monster description blocks are not 3.5 compliant.This means that the monster's Base Attack Bonus is not clearly listed, nor is the Grapple bonus (although most Swallow Whole descriptions define this variable).Also, Damage Reduction has changed significantly, so be prepared to make some on-the-fly adjustments.Otherwise I would say that this book is very usable at all levels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    3. Games/Puzzles    4. Magic    5. Role Playing & Fantasy - Dungeons & Dragons    6. Role Playing & Fantasy - General    7. Games / Role Playing & Fantasy    8. Role-playing & war games   

Reviews (1)

The very best book that you can get about Mr Wakeling
This book is a MUST have for you magic book collection and since it is out of print the price of this book has been going up because its now a collectors item! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    3. Games/Puzzles    4. Magic    5. Puzzles    6. Games / Magic   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    5. Magic    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    8. Conjuring & magic   

Reviews (17)

"Magic for Dummies"-- A review of a new magic book released July 1998
(...)
The Secrets Behind Every Magic Effect Ever Made...
Read the title again. Yes, that's right... Magic for Dummies, a book targeted towards interested laymen, holds the greatest secret behind all magic, whether or not you're Lance Burton or David Copperfield up on a stage or a teenage magician strolling the streets.
Lack of Magical Sparks
This book is trying too hard to emphasize in being funny.It is filled with mediocre 'funny' patters that the readers are encouraged to use, but the quality of the actual magic effects demonstrated is poor.Balancing two forks on the edge of a glass should not be considered magic.Once you read a few samples, the reading becomes stifling, knowing that you are not going to learn anything new that other magic books cannot teach you.Some areas are brighter: the photos are clear, and it blends magician bios and history within.But one can do better with other books around. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    2. Games/Puzzles    3. General    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Magic    6. Magic (Performing Arts)    7. Magic tricks    8. Performing Arts    9. Conjuring & magic    10. Games / Magic   

Reviews (14)

Excellent techniques and written very well
I am fairly new to card magic / artifice / subterfuge and this book was great. I find his way of explaining hand positions superior to that of Hugard and Braue's material. I also enjoy the way he writes far more... The introduction alone is worth the price. The techniques are great because one doesn't have to rely on diversion, most of the sleights can be pulled off with the spectator's eyes directly on the pack.

A Must Have for Magicians
Some book are just required.As a professional magician this book is absolutely a must have in my collection.The material is sometimes difficult to understand, but if you are truly serious about it, then you will get through it and the rewards for your performance skills are practically endless.
Earn 10,000 a day!
The tips and strategies in this book were extremely helpful.Now whenever I play with my friends or illegal poker rooms, I always win!Just don't try any of these strategies at the Bellagio. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Card Games - General    2. Card tricks    3. Cardsharping    4. Games    5. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    6. Games/Puzzles    7. Magic    8. Card games    9. Games / Magic   

Reviews (11)

Everything I hoped it would be
Speaking for my husband, an amateur magician, this book has been a tremendous help.It has easy to understand instructions, relatively easy tricks, but plenty of WOW power.Great for the beginner and pro alike.

Good begginers Book
Karl Fulves has been putting out these kinds of books for what seems like an eternity.They are good books for kids and even a skilled performer can pull some good material from these books.
Book for ones who are mentaly ill or under 8
The tricks in this book is so naive that the spectators will laugh at you if they are not SPED or under ten.But if you're a seven years old showoff/know-it-all then laugh you a#s off tricking yor friends ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Magic    4. Magic tricks    5. Telepathy    6. Conjuring & magic    7. Games / Magic    8. Indoor games   

Reviews (32)

RRTCM
The book itself is excellent, though, I saw a review that was a bit mistaken. It said to get the DVD set instead... which is partially incorrect. If you're truly interested in learning and perfecting, get _both_. The DVD set corrects some of the mistakes in the book, as well as offers different, more effective methods of some of the tricks.
Try the DVD's....
If this is the best book to learn card tricks then don't try to learn card tricks from a book!You won't get past chapter 1 of this book without letting out a loud, frustrating, "What are they talking about."There is a DVD series based on the book.I would seriously recommend you go that route and actually see what they are trying to tell you to do.The book just doesn't get it done.
The Royal Road to Card Magic
If you are looking for the easy and no effort method to card magic, this is definately not the book for you. HOWEVER, in conjuction with the DVD set with the same title, then, with a little to a lot of effort, you will be turning out card tricks that will sometimes amaze yourself, even while you are doing them!
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Subjects:  1. Card tricks    2. Games    3. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    4. Games/Puzzles    5. Magic    6. Games / Magic   

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    3. Games/Puzzles    4. Magic    5. Theater - General    6. Performing Arts / Theater / General   

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    3. Games/Puzzles    4. Magic    5. Magic (Performing Arts)    6. Conjuring & magic    7. Games / Magic    8. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (20)

Good for Interested Amateurs (like me)
The book is clumsy to handle, due to its thickness and small pages.Nonetheless it contains innumerable card tricks, and a few mind-reading and illusion tricks as well.Unfortunately, it doesn't cover anything you're likely to see in Las Vegas.

Useful if somewhat limited book
Mark Wilson is certainly a name in magic and has been around for a very long time.It was on the strength of that name alone that I bought this book, but it wasn't really as comprehensive as I would have liked.Many of the presentations are useful to beginning and intermediate performers as they are.A full time professional like me can fall back on these presentations as well, but over all this is second string material for me.
a very good book !
Mark Wilson is no doubt a master magician and a master of all magicians. This is reflected in this volume. The tricks in this book are a mixture of classical as well as new tricks....both entertaining and mystical. Mark Wilson has dealt with every possible branch of close up magic, conjuring and some basic stage illusions.They are easy to do. Some close up tricks require basic sleight of hands which are worth learning. If you are really serious about magic as a hobby, then this book should be in your book shelf. And if you are planning to take it up as your profession, then nothing can be a good book to start with. Some of the basic sleights are still used by many magicians. The illustrations are really gems. The copy which I got from Amazon was a brand new copy though I purchased a used one.
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Subjects:  1. Conjuring    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    4. General    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Magic    8. Magic tricks    9. Tricks    10. Conjuring & magic   

Reviews (13)

Especially useful for predictive cartomancy
I'm surprised that so many feel these cards are not appropriate for the beginner.I suppose it depends on the reader's objective.
The Great Gypsy Witch Cards
I love these cards. I received my first deck when I was seven, and had no problem with them, so they can certainly be used by beginners. They do have some dark cards, but that is a part of life. They are very accurate and enjoyable to use.
a gem of living history!
These cards were first published in 1903 and have been around since then - not something any of the age tarot deck available today can claim! Sometimes called GYPSY LENORMAND, these cards are not meant as a game for the curious or novice reader - they are serious fortune telling cards and can reveal an enormous amount of accurate information. Just don't confuse fortune telling with "Love and Light" wanna-be readers who pick up one deck after another but don't want to tell you anything else then that your are on your way to ascension and that the angels love you! This cards deal with the light side of life as well as with the shadow - good and bad is reflected, just as it is in real life! Serious fortune tellers will have to look at these aspects and can not hind behind a romantic and fluffy velvet covered table. If people can not understand that life is not all "love and light" then they will not be able to use these cards - its that simple!
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Subjects:  1. Cards - Playing / Tarot    2. Divination - Tarot    3. Games    4. Magic    5. New Age    6. Fortune-telling by cards (cartomancy)    7. Miscellaneous Items   

Reviews (3)

A simply amazing book
This book is fun! fun! fun! I started reading it and almost couldn't stop. Very informative on interesting coin tricks. The BEST Coin-Magic Book
This is the best coin-magic book I have ever read.The tricks are ridiculusly simple, but the audience remains mysified, and the text is absolutly hilarious.Within less than a day I was able to do at leastthree tricks.In fact,when I did them in front of my family, the trickslooked pretty impressive - even if I do say so myself. Next time I'llcharge 'em. I'd recommend this book to any one, any age, who likes toastound their friends, family, or even their worst enemy.

A must-have for kids and magicians alike!
Even if the cool double-sided quarter hadn't been included with the book, the book would still be great. This book shows how to palm a coin, do a Bobo Pass, a French drop, and more! Anyone who wants to be a magician, getattention, or just have fun will love this book. The equipment is easy toobtain and the instructions are easy to follow. IT IS A GREAT BOOK! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Coin tricks    4. Games    5. Games/Puzzles    6. General    7. Juvenile literature    8. Magic    9. Magic tricks    10. Conjuring & magic   

Reviews (19)

Very Complete Book of Card Tricks
This book is great in its completeness and organization.It walks you through most of the card tricks.This book is not geared toward beginners or younger audiences.If you are a visual learner this book is not for you.There are very few pictures and diagrams so you will have to use your imagination at times to visualize what the trick is supposed to look like based on the descriptions.

Card Tricks book is a great reference
The cardtricks book is well written and PACKED with card tricks - more than you could deal with in a lifetime.Hugard has written many books on the subject and you can't go wrong.Another online resource I found and loved is http://www.ellusionist.com - amazing site with card trick movies and a bunch of cool stuff.

Fool old people!
If you can find old people who know how to play Whist and other old codgers games, then the tricks in here will fool the depends off them.Read more

Subjects:  1. Card Games - General    2. Card tricks    3. Gambling - Card Games    4. Games    5. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    6. Games/Puzzles    7. Magic    8. Games / Magic