Looking for an old book

Gurdur · 7th July 2008, 04:14 PM

I'm looking for a book, a kind of encyclopedia on conjuring and so on, that was an extremely good book, first published around 3 decades ago, published by some press/imprint whose name began with "P", maybe Paladin.

Sorry to be so vague, that's all I can remember, but I would love to know the name of the book and author.

Failing that, can someone point me to what they consider to be the best all-round encyclopedia for conjuring, yes, with explanations? Many thanks in advance.

littlehulkster · 7th July 2008, 04:18 PM

Mark Willson's Complete Course on Magic is a pretty good book that covers everything. It even goes into stage illusions.

Gurdur · 7th July 2008, 04:19 PM

Many thanks, although stage illusions are a bit overly ambitious for me.

Bob Klase · 7th July 2008, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Gurdur

Many thanks, although stage illusions are a bit overly ambitious for me.

You ask for the "best all-round encyclopedia for conjuring... with explanations", then completely blow off a suggestion because it includes some stage illusions?

Before I waste time trying to recommend anything, perhaps you could specific exactly what you do and don't want in this all-round encyclopedia. Close up? Coins? Cards? Mentalism? Impromptu? Sleight of hand? Gimmicks? Street magic? Parlor magic? Comedy magic? etc, etc.

Please make the list comprehensive. I'd hate to recommend one of the best magic books ever published just to have you ignore it because it included a card trick or something that you might not like.

Gurdur · 7th July 2008, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

... then completely blow off a suggestion because it includes some stage illusions?

Um??????? Who the hell says I blew it off? Since I said thanks, and I noted the book (and I looked it up on Amazon and bookmarked it up), maybe you want to re-arrange your perception?

Quote:

Before I waste time ... I'd hate .....

Possibly I needn't waste any more of your time, Bob Klase? Hopefully others may be of help?

NoZed Avenger · 7th July 2008, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by littlehulkster

Mark Willson's Complete Course on Magic is a pretty good book that covers everything. It even goes into stage illusions.

If I had to pick only one book, this would be the one.

If a set of books counts, the old Tarbell's is good. But I'd still pick up Wilson's first.

Gurdur · 7th July 2008, 05:43 PM

Thanks, NoZed Avenger! All recommendations are good, and I might recognise the book I mean from the recommendations too. In any case, I need a good encyclopedia on it all, so I need all recommendations.

littlehulkster · 7th July 2008, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by NoZed Avenger

If I had to pick only one book, this would be the one.

If a set of books counts, the old Tarbell's is good. But I'd still pick up Wilson's first.

The best part about Wilson's is how clear and well-illustrated it is. So many of the old books suffered from rather vague directions and infrequent, bad illustrations.

Wilson's, on the other hand, is incredibly clear and direct in it's instructions and very well illustrated. It shows you exactly what to do and then defines exactly how to do it.

Magic for Dummies is pretty good, too, but it's no where the encyclopedic status of Wilson's.

Bob Klase · 8th July 2008, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by Gurdur

Um??????? Who the hell says I blew it off? Since I said thanks, and I noted the book (and I looked it up on Amazon and bookmarked it up), maybe you want to re-arrange your perception?

Sorry- my mistake. I don't know how I missed the fact that you noted the book, looked it up and bookmarked it. That all should have been clear to me from your post.

Gurdur · 8th July 2008, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

Sorry- my mistake. I don't know how I missed the fact that you noted the book, looked it up and bookmarked it. That all should have been clear to me from your post.

Oh Bob, Bob, enough, enough already. If you don't want to be helpful, fine. But no need for the venom.

Gurdur · 8th July 2008, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by littlehulkster

The best part about Wilson's is how clear and well-illustrated it is. So many of the old books suffered from rather vague directions and infrequent, bad illustrations.

Wilson's, on the other hand, is incredibly clear and direct in it's instructions and very well illustrated. It shows you exactly what to do and then defines exactly how to do it.

Magic for Dummies is pretty good, too, but it's no where the encyclopedic status of Wilson's.

Thanks, littlehulkster, for the further clarification and description. It all helps; I can't afford to buy a whole library on the subject, and I have to restrain myself to the best ones.

Stir · 8th July 2008, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Gurdur

I'm looking for a book, a kind of encyclopedia on conjuring and so on, that was an extremely good book, first published around 3 decades ago, published by some press/imprint whose name began with "P", maybe Paladin.

Sorry to be so vague, that's all I can remember, but I would love to know the name of the book and author.

Gurdur: I have a fairly large magic library and probably will be able to identify the book you remember if you could provide some more detail: what is it you liked about the book? what kind of magic do you remember it including? any memory of its size or color? anything at all you remember [if you remember nothing, how will you know if you find it?]

Gurdur · 8th July 2008, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Stir

Gurdur: I have a fairly large magic library and probably will be able to identify the book you remember if you could provide some more detail: what is it you liked about the book? what kind of magic do you remember it including? any memory of its size or color? anything at all you remember [if you remember nothing, how will you know if you find it?]

Righteo, many thanks. My apologies in advance for my terrible memory.

The book was hardcover with dustjacket, at that time there was no paperback version. Main colour of dustjacket = black.

It was large size format, i.e. around quarto size or so.

Probably around 300 to 400 pages.

The press or imprint that published it had a name beginning with "P"; Paladin perhaps? The press / imprint was not a small small press. I believe it was published both in Britain and in the USA.

When it came out (round about between 32 and 35 years ago, so you see why my memory is not good) it was heralded as a good all-round encyclopedia of magic tricks, illusion and conjuring, and contained a good many illustrations, including many old illustrations reprinted from very old magazines / newspapers (for example in dealing with the Indian Rope trick). It contained a huge many explanations of tricks.

One review at the time heralded the book as the first good all-round and comprehensive encyclopedia with explanations of magic tricks.

That's all I can remember, sorry.

Garrette · 9th July 2008, 06:05 AM

Abracadabra by Prometheus books fits your description very well except for the publishing date which was not nearly so long ago as you remember.

And, Gurdur, while I like you, I have to admit that I had a reaction similar to Bob Klase's. Not identical, but similar. I saw your response as polite (with the "thank you") but unduly dismissive and indicative that you likely haven't read the book. The Mark Wilson book is the one that, if you poll ten thousand magicians, will be recommended nine thousand nine hundred times, stage illusions are not its focus.

Gurdur · 9th July 2008, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Garrette

.... I saw your response as polite (with the "thank you") but unduly dismissive and indicative that you likely haven't read the book. .....

Cultural gap, perhaps. It certainly wasn't meant to be dismissive or to indicate lack of interest, as said already. Many thanks for the other recommendation and the tip.

Gurdur · 9th July 2008, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Garrette

Abracadabra by Prometheus books fits your description very well except for the publishing date which was not nearly so long ago as you remember. ...

The other having been addressed, now, my big apologies to be so difficult, but that book, first published in 1997, can't be the one I'm thinking of, for several reasons; but it looks like a good book for its own sake. I might well get it too, and I will make certain to get the Mark Wilson book.

Gurdur · 9th July 2008, 09:43 PM

After a friend looked around, I guess I could easily be meaning The Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring, by Walter Gibson, published in 1976.

But looking at that, yes, the Mark Wilson book is far better, and recreating one's boyhood can only go so far, so I guess I will simply get the Mark Wilson book. A great many thanks for all the help, sorry my memory is so defunct.

Senex · 10th July 2008, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Gurdur

After a friend looked around, I guess I could easily be meaning The Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring, by Walter Gibson, published in 1976.

But looking at that, yes, the Mark Wilson book is far better, and recreating one's boyhood can only go so far, so I guess I will simply get the Mark Wilson book. A great many thanks for all the help, sorry my memory is so defunct.

Wait, the book you want is Dunninger's Encyclopedia of Magic. Great book but my copy isn't for sale, sorry (it has lots and lots of stage illusions with diagrams no one will ever use again, but that doesn't mean my imagination wasn't enlarged when my dad gave it to me when I was eleven. It is dated as hell and shouldn't be purchased as a present day resourse. However having said that it is full of mentalist and close up work that still fools people. I doubt any book will ever compress so many effects in one book again. I have old Wilson and Gibson books and they can't touch this one.

Gurdur · 11th July 2008, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by Senex

Wait, the book you want is Dunninger's Encyclopedia of Magic.

Ah ya. I'm going to be bankrupt. But I will look for a 2nd-hand copy of this as well.

Quote:

but my copy isn't for sale

Taunt me, tantalise me, taunt me, eh?

Again, many thanks to all those who have helped here. My apologies to anyone who has been offended by my normal brusque telegraphese in communication.

Bob Klase · 11th July 2008, 08:45 AM

$15.00 - http://www.amazon.com/Dunningers-Com.../dp/0818400293

mhaze · 12th July 2008, 08:17 AM

http://www.lybrary.com/index.php?man...f35228f9ca1967

more Dunninger

Senex · 12th July 2008, 10:31 PM

I clicked on the link Bob Klase provided and a couple of the Amazon reviews reminded me of how I felt when given that book at a young age. It was magic pornography. The secrets in that book were for adults only -- and only for open minded adults at that. Every effect was brilliantly hand drawn illustrated and as thick and oversized as the book is the text and illustrations are compressed in order to fit the sheer enormous number into one text.

Giving that book to an eleven year old today wouldn't have the same impact. The internet makes every secret only seconds away from someone who knows how to use a search engine. In 1973 I found that book spiritual.

I didn't actually use the book very often for my own particular performances (but that was because I was lazy and like store bought effects) but the book gave me an understanding of how magic worked and what entertained people and why having a broad overview of magic was important to decide what appealed to you personally and why. I can't emphasize how much clear and concise information this book had for an audience of its time. It's a book that explains magic entertainment by offering particular details you may never use but makes you aware of how someone else used them.

This book explains magic bottom up instead of top down.

Stir · 14th July 2008, 09:38 AM

I find three candidates to meet Gurdur's search, but none of them fit exactly: Dunninger, Gibson, & Waters, each with a title that starts "Encyclopedia of Magic ... ". All are readily available at reasonable prices at abebooks.com

Gurdur · 14th July 2008, 09:41 AM

Many thanks again for all the extra tips, everyone. Will be checking everything out.

opie · 14th October 2008, 10:46 AM

I agree with Bob regarding the value of Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. It is THE best intro/intermediate magic book on the market. It has everything a newby might need to get started and to progress to semi- and professional levels. About 60 percent of most magic done today is touched upon in that book....Get it.

And, while you are at it, IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT BECOMING A SKILLED MAGICIAN, pick up a copy of Hugard and Braue's Royal Road to Card Magic and Bobo's Modern Coin Magic.

Check your local big book stores; they will have them..........

PS: I have found that most books which have a title with "Encyclopedia" in it are NOT encyclopedic............opie

JPK · 26th October 2008, 07:58 AM

Good morning Gurdur.
Here are some that I find very helpfull. The Secret Ways of Al Baker. It's a collection of all of his writings. While you will need to update the presentations,( and shouldn't we be making the presentations fit ourselves to begin with?

) the effects are wonderfull. It's a bit pricey but worth every penny. Another one of my favorites is Paul Harris Art of Astonishment. It's a three book set that covers allot. Once again a little expensive but it's extremley entertaining to read. To me the, Paul's essay on astonishment alone was worth the cost of the set.
JPK

The Professor · 17th November 2008, 12:35 AM

Is this what you seek?
http://www.lybrary.com/tarbell-course-p-34.html

7th July 2008, 04:14 PM	#1
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Looking for an old book I'm looking for a book, a kind of encyclopedia on conjuring and so on, that was an extremely good book, first published around 3 decades ago, published by some press/imprint whose name began with "P", maybe Paladin. Sorry to be so vague, that's all I can remember, but I would love to know the name of the book and author. Failing that, can someone point me to what they consider to be the best all-round encyclopedia for conjuring, yes, with explanations? Many thanks in advance.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

7th July 2008, 04:19 PM	#3
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Many thanks, although stage illusions are a bit overly ambitious for me.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

7th July 2008, 05:08 PM	#5
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Originally Posted by Bob Klase ... then completely blow off a suggestion because it includes some stage illusions? Um??????? Who the hell says I blew it off? Since I said thanks, and I noted the book (and I looked it up on Amazon and bookmarked it up), maybe you want to re-arrange your perception? Quote: Before I waste time ... I'd hate ..... Possibly I needn't waste any more of your time, Bob Klase? Hopefully others may be of help?
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

7th July 2008, 05:43 PM	#7
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Thanks, NoZed Avenger! All recommendations are good, and I might recognise the book I mean from the recommendations too. In any case, I need a good encyclopedia on it all, so I need all recommendations.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

7th July 2008, 06:24 PM	#8
littlehulkster Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 420	Originally Posted by NoZed Avenger If I had to pick only one book, this would be the one. If a set of books counts, the old Tarbell's is good. But I'd still pick up Wilson's first. The best part about Wilson's is how clear and well-illustrated it is. So many of the old books suffered from rather vague directions and infrequent, bad illustrations. Wilson's, on the other hand, is incredibly clear and direct in it's instructions and very well illustrated. It shows you exactly what to do and then defines exactly how to do it. Magic for Dummies is pretty good, too, but it's no where the encyclopedic status of Wilson's.
	Last edited by littlehulkster; 7th July 2008 at 06:28 PM.

7th July 2008, 04:18 PM	#2
littlehulkster Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 420	Mark Willson's Complete Course on Magic is a pretty good book that covers everything. It even goes into stage illusions.

7th July 2008, 05:02 PM	#4
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,389	Originally Posted by Gurdur Many thanks, although stage illusions are a bit overly ambitious for me. You ask for the "best all-round encyclopedia for conjuring... with explanations", then completely blow off a suggestion because it includes some stage illusions? Before I waste time trying to recommend anything, perhaps you could specific exactly what you do and don't want in this all-round encyclopedia. Close up? Coins? Cards? Mentalism? Impromptu? Sleight of hand? Gimmicks? Street magic? Parlor magic? Comedy magic? etc, etc. Please make the list comprehensive. I'd hate to recommend one of the best magic books ever published just to have you ignore it because it included a card trick or something that you might not like.

7th July 2008, 05:29 PM	#6
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,411	Originally Posted by littlehulkster Mark Willson's Complete Course on Magic is a pretty good book that covers everything. It even goes into stage illusions. If I had to pick only one book, this would be the one. If a set of books counts, the old Tarbell's is good. But I'd still pick up Wilson's first.

8th July 2008, 07:33 AM	#9
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,389	Originally Posted by Gurdur Um??????? Who the hell says I blew it off? Since I said thanks, and I noted the book (and I looked it up on Amazon and bookmarked it up), maybe you want to re-arrange your perception? Sorry- my mistake. I don't know how I missed the fact that you noted the book, looked it up and bookmarked it. That all should have been clear to me from your post.

8th July 2008, 08:05 AM	#10
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Originally Posted by Bob Klase Sorry- my mistake. I don't know how I missed the fact that you noted the book, looked it up and bookmarked it. That all should have been clear to me from your post. Oh Bob, Bob, enough, enough already. If you don't want to be helpful, fine. But no need for the venom.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

8th July 2008, 08:07 AM	#11
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Originally Posted by littlehulkster The best part about Wilson's is how clear and well-illustrated it is. So many of the old books suffered from rather vague directions and infrequent, bad illustrations. Wilson's, on the other hand, is incredibly clear and direct in it's instructions and very well illustrated. It shows you exactly what to do and then defines exactly how to do it. Magic for Dummies is pretty good, too, but it's no where the encyclopedic status of Wilson's. Thanks, littlehulkster, for the further clarification and description. It all helps; I can't afford to buy a whole library on the subject, and I have to restrain myself to the best ones.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

8th July 2008, 08:32 AM	#12
Stir Anarchist In The System Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Plaza of Dark Delights, Lankhmar Posts: 171	Originally Posted by Gurdur I'm looking for a book, a kind of encyclopedia on conjuring and so on, that was an extremely good book, first published around 3 decades ago, published by some press/imprint whose name began with "P", maybe Paladin. Sorry to be so vague, that's all I can remember, but I would love to know the name of the book and author. Gurdur: I have a fairly large magic library and probably will be able to identify the book you remember if you could provide some more detail: what is it you liked about the book? what kind of magic do you remember it including? any memory of its size or color? anything at all you remember [if you remember nothing, how will you know if you find it?]
	__________________ For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong. -H.L.Mencken ... if I have been wrong in my agnosticism, when I die I'll walk up to God in a manly way and say, Sir, I made an honest mistake -H.L.Mencken

8th July 2008, 03:27 PM	#13
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Originally Posted by Stir Gurdur: I have a fairly large magic library and probably will be able to identify the book you remember if you could provide some more detail: what is it you liked about the book? what kind of magic do you remember it including? any memory of its size or color? anything at all you remember [if you remember nothing, how will you know if you find it?] Righteo, many thanks. My apologies in advance for my terrible memory. The book was hardcover with dustjacket, at that time there was no paperback version. Main colour of dustjacket = black. It was large size format, i.e. around quarto size or so. Probably around 300 to 400 pages. The press or imprint that published it had a name beginning with "P"; Paladin perhaps? The press / imprint was not a small small press. I believe it was published both in Britain and in the USA. When it came out (round about between 32 and 35 years ago, so you see why my memory is not good) it was heralded as a good all-round encyclopedia of magic tricks, illusion and conjuring, and contained a good many illustrations, including many old illustrations reprinted from very old magazines / newspapers (for example in dealing with the Indian Rope trick). It contained a huge many explanations of tricks. One review at the time heralded the book as the first good all-round and comprehensive encyclopedia with explanations of magic tricks. That's all I can remember, sorry.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Last edited by Gurdur; 8th July 2008 at 03:29 PM.

9th July 2008, 06:05 AM	#14
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,926	Abracadabra by Prometheus books fits your description very well except for the publishing date which was not nearly so long ago as you remember. And, Gurdur, while I like you, I have to admit that I had a reaction similar to Bob Klase's. Not identical, but similar. I saw your response as polite (with the "thank you") but unduly dismissive and indicative that you likely haven't read the book. The Mark Wilson book is the one that, if you poll ten thousand magicians, will be recommended nine thousand nine hundred times, stage illusions are not its focus.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,926	__________________ My kids still love me.

9th July 2008, 07:48 AM	#15
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Originally Posted by Garrette .... I saw your response as polite (with the "thank you") but unduly dismissive and indicative that you likely haven't read the book. ..... Cultural gap, perhaps. It certainly wasn't meant to be dismissive or to indicate lack of interest, as said already. Many thanks for the other recommendation and the tip.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

9th July 2008, 07:52 AM	#16
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Originally Posted by Garrette Abracadabra by Prometheus books fits your description very well except for the publishing date which was not nearly so long ago as you remember. ... The other having been addressed, now, my big apologies to be so difficult, but that book, first published in 1997, can't be the one I'm thinking of, for several reasons; but it looks like a good book for its own sake. I might well get it too, and I will make certain to get the Mark Wilson book.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

9th July 2008, 09:43 PM	#17
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	After a friend looked around, I guess I could easily be meaning The Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring, by Walter Gibson, published in 1976. But looking at that, yes, the Mark Wilson book is far better, and recreating one's boyhood can only go so far, so I guess I will simply get the Mark Wilson book. A great many thanks for all the help, sorry my memory is so defunct.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

10th July 2008, 01:09 PM	#18
Senex Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: An autobody repair shop in Connecticut Posts: 1,798	Originally Posted by Gurdur After a friend looked around, I guess I could easily be meaning The Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring, by Walter Gibson, published in 1976. But looking at that, yes, the Mark Wilson book is far better, and recreating one's boyhood can only go so far, so I guess I will simply get the Mark Wilson book. A great many thanks for all the help, sorry my memory is so defunct. Wait, the book you want is Dunninger's Encyclopedia of Magic. Great book but my copy isn't for sale, sorry (it has lots and lots of stage illusions with diagrams no one will ever use again, but that doesn't mean my imagination wasn't enlarged when my dad gave it to me when I was eleven. It is dated as hell and shouldn't be purchased as a present day resourse. However having said that it is full of mentalist and close up work that still fools people. I doubt any book will ever compress so many effects in one book again. I have old Wilson and Gibson books and they can't touch this one.
	__________________ I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have ever been irreverent, except toward the things which were sacred to other people. Mark Twain

11th July 2008, 01:04 AM	#19
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Originally Posted by Senex Wait, the book you want is Dunninger's Encyclopedia of Magic. Ah ya. I'm going to be bankrupt. But I will look for a 2nd-hand copy of this as well. Quote: but my copy isn't for sale Taunt me, tantalise me, taunt me, eh? Again, many thanks to all those who have helped here. My apologies to anyone who has been offended by my normal brusque telegraphese in communication.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

11th July 2008, 08:45 AM	#20
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,389	$15.00 - http://www.amazon.com/Dunningers-Com.../dp/0818400293

12th July 2008, 08:17 AM	#21
mhaze Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woo*(+-1.10)^20=AGWwoo Posts: 7,826	http://www.lybrary.com/index.php?man...f35228f9ca1967 more Dunninger
	__________________ Poptech's List Skeptic GW Blogs GW Acronyms GW Videos 1147

12th July 2008, 10:31 PM	#22
Senex Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: An autobody repair shop in Connecticut Posts: 1,798	I clicked on the link Bob Klase provided and a couple of the Amazon reviews reminded me of how I felt when given that book at a young age. It was magic pornography. The secrets in that book were for adults only -- and only for open minded adults at that. Every effect was brilliantly hand drawn illustrated and as thick and oversized as the book is the text and illustrations are compressed in order to fit the sheer enormous number into one text. Giving that book to an eleven year old today wouldn't have the same impact. The internet makes every secret only seconds away from someone who knows how to use a search engine. In 1973 I found that book spiritual. I didn't actually use the book very often for my own particular performances (but that was because I was lazy and like store bought effects) but the book gave me an understanding of how magic worked and what entertained people and why having a broad overview of magic was important to decide what appealed to you personally and why. I can't emphasize how much clear and concise information this book had for an audience of its time. It's a book that explains magic entertainment by offering particular details you may never use but makes you aware of how someone else used them. This book explains magic bottom up instead of top down.
	__________________ I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have ever been irreverent, except toward the things which were sacred to other people. Mark Twain

14th July 2008, 09:38 AM	#23
Stir Anarchist In The System Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Plaza of Dark Delights, Lankhmar Posts: 171	I find three candidates to meet Gurdur's search, but none of them fit exactly: Dunninger, Gibson, & Waters, each with a title that starts "Encyclopedia of Magic ... ". All are readily available at reasonable prices at abebooks.com
	__________________ For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong. -H.L.Mencken ... if I have been wrong in my agnosticism, when I die I'll walk up to God in a manly way and say, Sir, I made an honest mistake -H.L.Mencken

14th July 2008, 09:41 AM	#24
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871	Many thanks again for all the extra tips, everyone. Will be checking everything out.
Gurdur Person Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,871

14th October 2008, 10:46 AM	#25
opie New Blood Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 23	I agree with Bob regarding the value of Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. It is THE best intro/intermediate magic book on the market. It has everything a newby might need to get started and to progress to semi- and professional levels. About 60 percent of most magic done today is touched upon in that book....Get it. And, while you are at it, IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT BECOMING A SKILLED MAGICIAN, pick up a copy of Hugard and Braue's Royal Road to Card Magic and Bobo's Modern Coin Magic. Check your local big book stores; they will have them.......... PS: I have found that most books which have a title with "Encyclopedia" in it are NOT encyclopedic............opie
opie New Blood Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 23

26th October 2008, 07:58 AM	#26
JPK Muse Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 963	Good morning Gurdur. Here are some that I find very helpfull. The Secret Ways of Al Baker. It's a collection of all of his writings. While you will need to update the presentations,( and shouldn't we be making the presentations fit ourselves to begin with? ) the effects are wonderfull. It's a bit pricey but worth every penny. Another one of my favorites is Paul Harris Art of Astonishment. It's a three book set that covers allot. Once again a little expensive but it's extremley entertaining to read. To me the, Paul's essay on astonishment alone was worth the cost of the set. JPK
JPK Muse Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 963	__________________ "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

17th November 2008, 12:35 AM	#27
The Professor Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 721	Is this what you seek? http://www.lybrary.com/tarbell-course-p-34.html
The Professor Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 721