Customer Reviews

Magic: Stage Illusions, Special Effects and Trick Photography

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If you're a student of magic, technical theatre, or trick photography, this is an excellent historical text on how these things were done about 100 years ago. It's a fascinating period piece, and a limited amount of the material can be updated and applied to a modern setting, but much of the illusions it describes require gas lines, steam lines, and other non-standard stage accessories.

While this book may not have direct application, it still remains on of my favorite titles in my magic library. It discusses how larger effects are accomplished, from temple doors that open automatically, to photographic illusions. The material is dated, but can be cleverly adapted for performances.

Being a magic history buff I loved this book. Lots of fun stuff and interesting material. Kind of dry reading though unless you are into the history like I am.

Tim "Santiago" Converse
Enter a World of Elegant Magic

MAGIC was originally published in the 1890s and is a compilation of articles drawn from different sources, especially Scientific American. And although Hopkins name is on it, it's thought that this was put together by Wm. Robinson. Robinson became known for his portrayal of Chinese Magician Chung Ling Soo. Chung was killed onstage doing the Bullet Catch.

So, is this a good book? No, it's GREAT. As a history of the craft of magic, it's priceless, no matter who really wrote it. Get it, it's worth it.

I am trying my hand at writing a novel set in the late 1800s and wanted some information about the illusions and magic acts of the time. So this book was bought as a reference text.

The writing is clear, and the plentiful illustrations clarify points that can be hard to explain with words. I would look up a particular illusion then find myself reading on to the next illusion, fascinated. There was also some great information on magicians of the era.

The book is divided into sections, by type of illusion. So if you want to know about vanishing acts, you look up that section. If you want to look up sleight of hand, there is a section for that. There is also a very comprehensive, very useful index at the back.

What a creative bunch magicians are! I played a game with myself, reading about an illusion and trying to come up with a way to accomplish it before looking to see how it was done. At first I was totally at a loss, but after a while I started to make a couple of good guesses. Nevertheless, I was still constantly surprised. Some of these tricks just boggle the mind.

If you have a lot of curiosity and enjoy learning unusual facts, you will love this.

Dover book aficiandos will love this 556 page delight. Over 400 illustrations are interpersed throughout to provide visual context to the magic which is explained in detail. A must for for the Dover book collector.