Magic Books

[NathanielW]

Hey guys!

I am 15 and have been into magic for a year now.... I am looking to get some magic books, but I am not sure which ones have the greatest impact or learning experience.... What magic books would you recommend?

 

[CaseyRudd]

Hey BlackJaqk (nice username by the way!),

Based on your post it's hard to tell what kind of magic you are into, so I will take a look at my bookshelf and list some that I think would be of good interest to you (if you are into card magic):

Royal Road to Card Magic by Hugard and Braue
Card College Series by Roberto Giobbi
Expert Card Technique by Hugard and Braue
Card Control by Arthur Buckley
Dai Vernon's Inner Card Trilogy
One Degree by John Guastaferro (there are a few card tricks in here that are simple and get killer reactions)
The Five Points in Magic by Juan Tamariz (more about improving your performance and making connections with your audience)

Those are just a few that will surely give you a TON of material to practice over many years of getting into card magic in general. Also, Jason England has a free video here on the site with his definitive reading list of what to read, when, and why. You can view that right HERE.

Hopefully this was able to help you out if you are interested in card magic!

 

[Tower of Lunatic Meat]

I'm going to answer your question with a question:

What Magic are you into or want to work on at this very moment?

I say this because there are hundreds of different directions you could go in. No point in suggesting coin Magic to you if all you want to do is card floutishes.

 

[Craig Browning]

That list that was given has some great stuff but if you are brand new to magic I'd suggest that you start with The Mark Wilson Course as well as the Bill Tarr Now You See it; Now You Don't books so you learn the foundations.

I would strongly discourage you when it comes to Royal Road to Card Magic and spending time with it too early in your studies in that magicians tend to get very myopic once they discover card tricks and it becomes virtually the only thing they ever think about. Too, stay away from Mentalism during your first few years because you have no performing experience and Mentalism is NOT one in the same thing as Magic; it is far more demanding when it comes to showmanship and being able to discern who to work with in a routine and who to avoid, etc. Stick with magic for a few years and get some experience under your belt.

Since I push the basics I'd suggest you look up the Jeff McBride's Manipulation series on video as well as the older L&L publishing videos on Improvisational & Bar Magic.

Yes, my list is very contrary to what you'll see most promote but it will give you a superior foundation in the long run and not one in which you are co-dependent on playing cards for 90% of your work. This brings us to my last two recommendations; Bobo's Modern Coin Magic and the rather dry read known as Magic & Showmanship.

Once you've completed this bit of foundation study you'll be ready for Royal Road and all the other 1,001 books on card tricks but unlike the majority, you'll actually be able to do magic as well as card effects.

 

[NathanielW]

Thanks guys! I am into all kinds of magic! Card magic, coin magic, gimmicked magic, sleight of hand... Thanks for the suggestions, and I will definitely see what books to get. If you have any more suggestions, that would be awesome

 

[RealityOne]

Art of Astonishment - The Three Volume Set.