I'm interested in magic, but never really followed it enough to call myself a fan. Other than fumbling through a trick or two in grade school, I never went through a magic phase growing up. When I went to Marshall Brodien's Magic Shop at Old Chicago it was to buy novelties and pranks, not magic cards or props. Itching powder and the fly in the fake ice cube were more my speed over a trick I'd have to practice over and over again. But the review of this book looked promising, and with an endoresment (and introduction) from Teller I decided to check it out. I'm glad I did! A wonderful read.
MY REVIEW:
A fascinating walk through the history of magic and the
showmanship that went with it from the late 1800's through the end of magic's
golden era in the 1930's. Although the book explains the mechanics of many great
illusions, it's much more than just a "how they did it" book. There
are compelling character studies of magicians and the entire magic community as
well as an in-depth look at European and American theater of the era. The
magicians' stories intertwine as illusions evolved and theater goer wants
changed, all done with the unfolding narrative of a good novel. Author and
illusion designer to the stars (including David Copperfield, Siegfried &
Roy, and Doug Henning) Jim Steinmeyer also injects the mystery of an elusive
trick throughout the book, explaining how the illusionist works and thinks.
This is a book about people, history, and creative thinking as much as it's a
book about magic.
FOUR and HALF STARS (out of five)
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