Books

[Supercharts]

Abracadabra! by Nathaniel Schiffman. 1-57392-163-7 Prometheus Books.

This is a well written book about magic. It doesn't so much explain how the tricks are done but the methods magicians and others use to deceive the audience.
The author has queried Randi, Penn & Teller and many others on this subject.
History of magic, being 'honest', misdirection (both on and off the stage). Excellent overall.

[BrianT]

You should add how the book takes the methods used by magicians and shows how they are used by politicians, in advertising, and such.

[Supercharts]

Originally posted by BrianT
You should add how the book takes the methods used by magicians and shows how they are used by politicians, in advertising, and such.

You are correct. I'm about 40% through the book and it's astounding on how a magician 'sells' a trick and everyday examples such as politics, car salespeople, Corporationes etc. use the same methods. I especially liked the description of 'brainwashing' during wartime to force people to re-evaluate their beliefs and gradually come to a point where they repudiate their basic beliefs and start to believe lies.

[Brown]

I note the book is available on Amazon.com. The Amazon site includes an excerpt (with a bit of a quirk) and a brief review from Scientific American.

I may have to add this book to my shopping cart.