Magician's Bibles

Hammer_of_Thor · 3rd December 2007, 03:13 PM

I kind of dabble in magic from time to time and I would like to know what people think are the best magic books for each type of magic. I currently own Royal Road to Card Magic, Mark Wilson's book, and a book called Now you see it...

I understand that opinions may vary, but if I wanted to learn

Coin magic
Mentalism
General magic
Close up
Any other types of magic I left out

You can buy only one book to learn each. What book would you buy?

Thanks

Brown · 3rd December 2007, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Hammer_of_Thor

I understand that opinions may vary, but if I wanted to learn

Coin magic
Mentalism
General magic
Close up
Any other types of magic I left out

For coin magic, go Bobo. But I also recommend getting a good video on coin sleights. Sometimes it's just more effective to see it than to read about it.

For mentalism, go Annemann. Some of the patter is dated, but you can adapt many of these effects to the modern day. If you want to look at videos, I recommend the Osterlind videos, which are excellent instructors.

Dinsdale Piranha · 3rd December 2007, 04:02 PM

I'll second what Brown said about Bobo.

For Close up get The Dai Vernon book of Magic. Description here:
http://magicref.tripod.com/books/gansonvernon.htm

For cards I'd recommend: Royal Road to Card Magic, Expert Card Technique, The Expert at the Card Table and Card College. Also, anything by Dai Vernon. There's more published about card magic than any other branch. So you have to learn to sort the gems from the junk.

If you'd like some other recommendations on cards or coins, send me a PM.

Brown · 3rd December 2007, 04:34 PM

Other types of magic might include rope magic. The Mark Wilson book is pretty good for some basics there. The only rope tricks I do are ones I learned from Wilson.

There are dice tricks, but many people would prefer undergoing root canal to watching a dice trick. And in any event, I have no recommendation on that area.

Handkerchief tricks: Wilson has a few goodies, but his pickings are slim. Sorry, can't recommend a book on this topic.

Same for rubber band tricks. You can get videos of rubber band tricks, though.

Specialized prop tricks (Scotch and soda, thumb tip, shells, sponge balls, cups and balls, linking rings, needles in the mouth...) would probably best be taught by video or in person.

For mentalism, take a look at the Wilson book, but keep in mind one thing: Use the principles he describes, not the routines! His patter stinks, and his routines are childish. But he does give a good description of the one-ahead principle, and you can make Genii cards out of your own business cards and use them for a semi-impromptu mental miracle.

Bob Klase · 3rd December 2007, 04:39 PM

I'd somewhat go along with Brown and Piranha. Books I'd recommend to someone fairly new aren't going to be the same books I'd pick for myself if I could only have one (assuming that I still knew everything I know now).

For others I'd probably recommend:

Coin magic- Bobo's
Mentalism- Corinda's Thirteen Steps
General magic- Mark Wilson's Book (The Magic of Michael Ammar also has a lot of variety and would be a good choice for someone with a little experience).
Card Magic- Royal Road is still good, but the Card College series (all 5 volumes) would be better if it was all you could ever buy.

Thirty to 50 years ago it was much easier to declare one book the bible of a specific type of magic (ie- Royal Road for card magic, Tarbell for everything). But 30 to 50 years ago there weren't that many magic books- only a few were published every year. Now there's a few books every month- or even every week. As video/DVD has become more popular in the last 20 years there's a lot of things 'published' on DVD that aren't in any book.

And while many of the old 'bibles' are still good, they are somewhat out of date. New methods, gimmicks, plots, and even effects (although not so many of them) have been created since those books were published.

JPK · 4th December 2007, 11:22 AM

Good afternoon all.
I think the ability to take the old and make it new is what magic is all about. David Blaine does that well. It's not so much the effect. The presentation.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
JPK

Hammer_of_Thor · 4th December 2007, 11:25 AM

Thanks for all the info so far. It sounds like I have a couple good books.

waltdakind · 15th December 2007, 09:24 PM

Ted Annemann has a great book on mentalism, Practical Mental Magic - and I agree with all the other recommendations. Also, "Our Magic" Maskelyne and Devant would be a great direction to head in magic theory, as well as Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms.

FM21.105 · 16th December 2007, 09:28 PM

Well, in my opinion, corindas book really wasn't that great. I used maybe 2 thinks from it in my routines.

I think Annemanns book was better.

Garrette · 17th December 2007, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by FM21.105

Well, in my opinion, corindas book really wasn't that great. I used maybe 2 thinks from it in my routines.

I think Annemanns book was better.

Depends on your goal. If you want to learn a number of effects fairly quickly, and base your magical life simply on those, then Corrinda is unnecessary though it would still be helpful. If you want to get a grounding in the broader aspects of the field so that you can make more informed decisions and prepare yourself for growing as a professional in the field, then Corrinda is almost a must.

Bob Klase · 17th December 2007, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by FM21.105

Well, in my opinion, corindas book really wasn't that great. I used maybe 2 thinks from it in my routines.

I think Annemanns book was better.

Maybe it was. But Garrette was correct- if your main criteria for judging a book is how many tricks you use from it then you're missing the important parts.

I would say that Maximum Entertainment is one of the most essential books published in the last 20 years for someone who wants to perform magic. You won't use even one trick from it because it doesn't have a single trick in it. Darwin Ortiz' Strong Magic is also an excellent book. But don't buy it for the tricks because there are very few tricks in there and they're only used to illustrate points.

AgeGap · 7th January 2008, 02:45 PM

When I buy magic books it is for the tricks, not for advice on presentation. Although presentation is very important IMO. My presentation will always suck. Therefore advice on presenting for me would be like buying polish for a poop.

Bob Klase · 7th January 2008, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by AgeGap

When I buy magic books it is for the tricks, not for advice on presentation. Although presentation is very important IMO. My presentation will always suck. Therefore advice on presenting for me would be like buying polish for a poop.

It's likely your presentation sucks (at least in part) because you don't buy (or read) books with advice on presentation, showmanship, etc. Since you recognize that presentation is very important I don't understand why you'd be satisfied that yours sucks. Likely you already have more books full of tricks than you'll every be able to do well.

Getting some advice on presenting might be more like buying perfume (or deodorant) for poop- it would still be poop but it wouldn't stink so bad.

AgeGap · 7th January 2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

....it would still be poop but it wouldn't stink so bad.

Laughed at that. Very true. I don't really want to be like a perfumed poop. I am happy being an honest poop.
Lacking real skill, imagination, charisma, originality and the list goes on. I am not cut out to be a performer. I am happy with my collection of tricks. Leave the talented to it.

Kirk · 16th January 2008, 09:14 AM

Less Theory more practical=

JC Wagner

3rd December 2007, 03:13 PM	#1
Hammer_of_Thor Thinker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nunn Ya Posts: 166	Magician's Bibles I kind of dabble in magic from time to time and I would like to know what people think are the best magic books for each type of magic. I currently own Royal Road to Card Magic, Mark Wilson's book, and a book called Now you see it... I understand that opinions may vary, but if I wanted to learn Coin magic Mentalism General magic Close up Any other types of magic I left out You can buy only one book to learn each. What book would you buy? Thanks
	__________________ Rational arguments don't usually work on religious people. Otherwise, there wouldn't be religious people. - Dr. Gregory House

3rd December 2007, 03:23 PM	#2
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,117	Originally Posted by Hammer_of_Thor I understand that opinions may vary, but if I wanted to learn Coin magic Mentalism General magic Close up Any other types of magic I left out For coin magic, go Bobo. But I also recommend getting a good video on coin sleights. Sometimes it's just more effective to see it than to read about it. For mentalism, go Annemann. Some of the patter is dated, but you can adapt many of these effects to the modern day. If you want to look at videos, I recommend the Osterlind videos, which are excellent instructors.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice Last edited by Brown; 3rd December 2007 at 03:25 PM.

3rd December 2007, 04:02 PM	#3
Dinsdale Piranha A cruel man, but fair. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In the conversation pit. Posts: 842	I'll second what Brown said about Bobo. For Close up get The Dai Vernon book of Magic. Description here: http://magicref.tripod.com/books/gansonvernon.htm For cards I'd recommend: Royal Road to Card Magic, Expert Card Technique, The Expert at the Card Table and Card College. Also, anything by Dai Vernon. There's more published about card magic than any other branch. So you have to learn to sort the gems from the junk. If you'd like some other recommendations on cards or coins, send me a PM.
	__________________ "Don't hit me with them negative waves this early in the morning." Oddball from Kelly's Heroes. "I almost had a psychic girlfriend, but she left me before we met." Steven Wright

3rd December 2007, 04:34 PM	#4
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,117	Other types of magic might include rope magic. The Mark Wilson book is pretty good for some basics there. The only rope tricks I do are ones I learned from Wilson. There are dice tricks, but many people would prefer undergoing root canal to watching a dice trick. And in any event, I have no recommendation on that area. Handkerchief tricks: Wilson has a few goodies, but his pickings are slim. Sorry, can't recommend a book on this topic. Same for rubber band tricks. You can get videos of rubber band tricks, though. Specialized prop tricks (Scotch and soda, thumb tip, shells, sponge balls, cups and balls, linking rings, needles in the mouth...) would probably best be taught by video or in person. For mentalism, take a look at the Wilson book, but keep in mind one thing: Use the principles he describes, not the routines! His patter stinks, and his routines are childish. But he does give a good description of the one-ahead principle, and you can make Genii cards out of your own business cards and use them for a semi-impromptu mental miracle.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

4th December 2007, 11:22 AM	#6
JPK Muse Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 970	Good afternoon all. I think the ability to take the old and make it new is what magic is all about. David Blaine does that well. It's not so much the effect. The presentation. Just my opinion, I could be wrong. JPK
JPK Muse Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 970	__________________ "I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier... A belief's a dangerous thing. People die for it. People kill for it." Rufus, the 13th apostle, Dogma "You can't prove air." Sylvia Browne www.StopSylvia.com John Kardel Last edited by JPK; 4th December 2007 at 11:24 AM.

3rd December 2007, 04:39 PM	#5
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	I'd somewhat go along with Brown and Piranha. Books I'd recommend to someone fairly new aren't going to be the same books I'd pick for myself if I could only have one (assuming that I still knew everything I know now). For others I'd probably recommend: Coin magic- Bobo's Mentalism- Corinda's Thirteen Steps General magic- Mark Wilson's Book (The Magic of Michael Ammar also has a lot of variety and would be a good choice for someone with a little experience). Card Magic- Royal Road is still good, but the Card College series (all 5 volumes) would be better if it was all you could ever buy. Thirty to 50 years ago it was much easier to declare one book the bible of a specific type of magic (ie- Royal Road for card magic, Tarbell for everything). But 30 to 50 years ago there weren't that many magic books- only a few were published every year. Now there's a few books every month- or even every week. As video/DVD has become more popular in the last 20 years there's a lot of things 'published' on DVD that aren't in any book. And while many of the old 'bibles' are still good, they are somewhat out of date. New methods, gimmicks, plots, and even effects (although not so many of them) have been created since those books were published.

4th December 2007, 11:25 AM	#7
Hammer_of_Thor Thinker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nunn Ya Posts: 166	Thanks for all the info so far. It sounds like I have a couple good books.
	__________________ Rational arguments don't usually work on religious people. Otherwise, there wouldn't be religious people. - Dr. Gregory House

15th December 2007, 09:24 PM	#8
waltdakind Student Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Somerset, NJ Posts: 30	Other recommendations Ted Annemann has a great book on mentalism, Practical Mental Magic - and I agree with all the other recommendations. Also, "Our Magic" Maskelyne and Devant would be a great direction to head in magic theory, as well as Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms.

16th December 2007, 09:28 PM	#9
FM21.105 Thinker Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 156	Well, in my opinion, corindas book really wasn't that great. I used maybe 2 thinks from it in my routines. I think Annemanns book was better.
FM21.105 Thinker Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 156

17th December 2007, 07:11 AM	#10
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Originally Posted by FM21.105 Well, in my opinion, corindas book really wasn't that great. I used maybe 2 thinks from it in my routines. I think Annemanns book was better. Depends on your goal. If you want to learn a number of effects fairly quickly, and base your magical life simply on those, then Corrinda is unnecessary though it would still be helpful. If you want to get a grounding in the broader aspects of the field so that you can make more informed decisions and prepare yourself for growing as a professional in the field, then Corrinda is almost a must.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

17th December 2007, 06:52 PM	#11
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by FM21.105 Well, in my opinion, corindas book really wasn't that great. I used maybe 2 thinks from it in my routines. I think Annemanns book was better. Maybe it was. But Garrette was correct- if your main criteria for judging a book is how many tricks you use from it then you're missing the important parts. I would say that Maximum Entertainment is one of the most essential books published in the last 20 years for someone who wants to perform magic. You won't use even one trick from it because it doesn't have a single trick in it. Darwin Ortiz' Strong Magic is also an excellent book. But don't buy it for the tricks because there are very few tricks in there and they're only used to illustrate points.
	Last edited by Bob Klase; 17th December 2007 at 06:52 PM.

7th January 2008, 02:45 PM	#12
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803	When I buy magic books it is for the tricks, not for advice on presentation. Although presentation is very important IMO. My presentation will always suck. Therefore advice on presenting for me would be like buying polish for a poop.
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803

7th January 2008, 03:04 PM	#13
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by AgeGap When I buy magic books it is for the tricks, not for advice on presentation. Although presentation is very important IMO. My presentation will always suck. Therefore advice on presenting for me would be like buying polish for a poop. It's likely your presentation sucks (at least in part) because you don't buy (or read) books with advice on presentation, showmanship, etc. Since you recognize that presentation is very important I don't understand why you'd be satisfied that yours sucks. Likely you already have more books full of tricks than you'll every be able to do well. Getting some advice on presenting might be more like buying perfume (or deodorant) for poop- it would still be poop but it wouldn't stink so bad.

7th January 2008, 03:50 PM	#14
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803	Originally Posted by Bob Klase ....it would still be poop but it wouldn't stink so bad. Laughed at that. Very true. I don't really want to be like a perfumed poop. I am happy being an honest poop. Lacking real skill, imagination, charisma, originality and the list goes on. I am not cut out to be a performer. I am happy with my collection of tricks. Leave the talented to it.
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803

16th January 2008, 09:14 AM	#15
Kirk Critical Thinker Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Berkley, MI Posts: 439	Less Theory more practical= JC Wagner
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. -Thomas Paine