The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks [Paperback]

Tom Ogden (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: November 16, 1998

You're no idiot, of course. You know the gift of magic isn't borne on faeries'wings or bestowed a birth by a touch of Merlin's staff--it takes lots of practice to perfect the tricks that will astound audiences. But where do you learn the secrets behind those tricks, so you can get started? Hold on to your top hat! The complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks brings you inside the magician's realm and teaches you not only the tricks themselves, but the best ways to polish your act and take it where it belongs--the stage! In this Complete Idiot's Guide, which has been technically reviewed by world-famous mentalist Max Maven, you get:

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1 edition (November 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028627075
• ISBN-13: 978-0028627076
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Magic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great first magic book!, May 16, 1999

By 

Richard - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks (Paperback)

I have several of the "Idiot's Guide to . . ." books and was pleasantly surprised to see one devoted to magic. The established format of these guides lends itself well to teaching not only magic tricks, but how to perform them. Nothing is worse than a boring lout who thinks he (or she) is a magician because he knows the "21 card trick." The first two parts of this guide are used to teach the art of presentation, how to handle an audience, and what to do when something goes wrong (an important subject most books never touch). The tricks cover a wide range from bar bets to skilled manipulations, and it even comes with a set of trick cards that are worth the price of the book alone. My only complaint is that all the tricks were closeup ones. After all the advice on how to perform, it would have been nice to include a few small stage to large stage effects. Other than that small observation, this is the book to get if you want to develop your interest in magic.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks (Paperback)

A great read, regardless of whether one is just starting out in magic, or is merely looking to recreate those precious moments when your taste and instincts are becoming formed. Written by the man who retired the Parlor Magician of the Year [award at Hollywood's Magic Castle™]the very first two years it was offered, this covers all aspects of the art, from theory to booking advice. And, in between, Tom presents some very nice wrinkles on standard effects. -- Gordon Bean, librarian at The Magic Castle™, from "Stacks and the Bean's Talk" column in the Magic Castle™ Newsletter, October 1999

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book that started it all..., April 13, 2002

By 

controlALTdeleat (Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks (Paperback)

This book relighted my interest in magic. When I was little, I had a great interest in the art of conjuring, but it went down in my elementary years. In 7th grade, I found this book in the library, and one thing led to another. Next thing you know, I'm an expert magician at 13! This book is great. It teaches you not only tricks, but basics in the art of magic. Two thumbs (and a thumb tip) up!!