Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic [Paperback]

Mark Anthony Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2003

From one of the world's premier practitioners of classic magic, with years of experience instructing younger readers in the magical arts, comes this new revision of his complete guide to learning and performing fantastic feats of prestidigitation. Acclaimed by the Los Angeles Times as "the text that young magicians swear by," it's full of step-by-step instructions. More than 2,000 illustrations provide the know-how behind 300 techniques, from basic card tricks to advanced levitation, along with advice on planning and staging a professional-quality magic show.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Wilson is first and foremost a famous magician, who the New York Times has recognized as “probably the nation’s leading authority on magic.” He is also the hugely successful author of numerous kits and books devoted to instruction in the magical arts including the newly released Complete Course in Magic (Revised Ed.). Additionally, has made countless guest appearances throughout his career on every major TV talk show in the country. Mark Wilson resides in southern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Running Press; Revised edition (May 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762414553
• ISBN-13: 978-0762414550
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Magic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Compendium of Learning and Delight!, January 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic/With Tricks (Hardcover)

I have been studying sleight-of-hand magic and other departments of the art for thirty-five years. Additionally, in my own professional life, I have written 25 textbooks in another field. --With these credentials, I simply must step forward to praise Mark Wilson's "Complete Course in Magic," for the masterful instruction and the highest quality presentation.

First of all, this book is a coffee-table book-size, produced with quality binding, excellent paper selection, and the most captivatingly perfect photographic cover treatment possible! This all promises quality content; this inspires pride in possessing such a weighty and elegant work.

I can say, unequivocally, that this book is easy-to-understand, eminently practical, and immediately enjoyable; the learning factor --even for someone quite skilled-- is off the charts! Drawings everywhere! Little tips of patter and misdirection accompany all the sleights, and even self-working tricks are turned into miracles.

I have never, in all my reading over almost half-a century, encountered a more beautiful presentation, a more lucid instruction in magic. **If just one of these tricks ("presentations," really) enters your life, your personality, and, in turn, delights the people around you, the cost of this book will be rewarded many, many times over.

This is no kiddy's Course in magic, although youngsters with intelligence may begin a lifetime of delight through these pages. This is a careful, complete presentation of magic principles and nifty presentations that EVERY magician must have in his/her library.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impress People with Magic in 1 Hour, October 31, 2007

By 

Scrutinizing Consumer (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic (Paperback)

This is my first magic book and it is fantastic. I've seen my share of amateur and professional magic tricks. This book covers the gamut. In one hour, I found and learned three tricks that I've never seen before. I performed them for co-workers the same day and astonished them.

I've since found a good handful of tricks that are original (to me), don't require great slight-of-hand skills and don't cost money (for props). Now I perform them for friends and strangers and, viola, my circle of friends is growing! Do a few easy-to-learn magic tricks really make one more interesting? I guess so.

And there's the easiest little "Jumping Rubber Band" trick that if you show a child, then teach him how to do it (sorry, I broke the first rule of magic), you'll put a big smile on his face and he'll excitedly run off to show everyone his magic.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide to magic, September 15, 2004

By 

T. C Gerlach "pootiboo" (Altoona, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic (Paperback)

The tricks in the book are very well explained and illustrated, making learning a breeze. After a couple of hours of reading and practicing, I was able to amaze my daughter and my wife. I had never done magic before in my life, but this book made it a breeze. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn a few tricks, or to become an amateur magician.