Self-Working Table Magic: 97 Foolproof Tricks with Everyday Objects (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

mystifying tricks done with ordinary objects that can be borrowed from the audience. Make coins appear or disappear; matchsticks jump into the air; classic cups and balls; pierce balloons without bursting them; plus tricks with dice, rubber bands, eggs, safety pins, pens and pencils, more. 185 illustrations.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (August 1, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486241165
• ISBN-13: 978-0486241166
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,504 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #5 in	Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Magic
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  #5 in	Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Games > Magic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY useful for beginners and amateurs, November 6, 2001

By	Fabio Rossi (Milano, MI Italy) - See all my reviews

If you're reading this, you've probably already experienced the dreadful feeling of opening your new tricks' book... and discovering that the most stupid move requires years of training, expensive props and monk-like dedication.

Well... it appears that this book is in fact just the opposite. The tricks are very simple to perform (ok, you'll need some limited legerdemain nonetheless), require no props at all and, most of all, they aren't common or stupid at all.

The approach is very down-to-earth and sincere in pointing out the good and the bad parts of each trick, and this book alone will allow you to spice a dinner with dozens of nice magic tricks within a week's practice.

Be warned: this is NOT David Copperfield material. It's more "So, uncle Jim, can you do another magic?" type of stuff. But then again, you'll probably won't perform onstage as often as you'll be dining at a bored table. So...

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any of the Self Working titles are gold mines, May 21, 2002

By	J. Short "Avid reader and music fan" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Many beginners to magic (and others who should know better) are of the opinion that a magic effect has to be difficult in order to be worthwhile. While there are many killer effects that take months or years of practice, there are equally wonderful tricks that rely on psychology, subtlety, and/or advance preparation. The Self Working series of books are a treasure trove of great magic. This book is no exception. Many of the included tricks are used by successful professional magicians. Admittedly, these are best used in a program with other, more elaborate tricks, but for those moments in your act where you need a short, sweet effect, something in this book might just fill the bill. And as you get more proficient in magic you will find ways to further embellish these tricks and make them your own private miracles.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More Than Expected, March 26, 2007

By	R. L. Mason - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book thinking that it would be a good beginning magic book for a group of middle schoolers interested in learning magic tricks. It seems that even though the objects are everyday, the tricks are not. This is a great book if you are willing to do the practice to master the tricks, but if you are looking for a quick trick, then keep looking.