The Magic of Alan Wakeling: The Works of a Master Magician (Paperback)

~ Jim Steinmeyer (Author)
Key Phrases: silk fish, upright cabinet, ball routine, Mark Wilson, Alan Wakeling, John Gaughan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Alan Wakeling's acclaimed magic has for years been the "secret source" for leading professional magicians. His career featured stage magic, illusions, close-up and stand-up effects, including several complete acts. This book contains professional material developed by Wakeling and used by magicians. Fully illustrated, beautifully and clearly described, this book is a treasure for any aspiring magician. Just ask the magicians, designers, and producers of today, who continue to integrate Wakeling's routines into their acts. Such people include the authors of this book's brief introductions: Mark Wilson, Steve Dick, Don Bice, Mike Caveney, Norm Nielsen, Earl Nelson, Ricky Jay, and Channing Pollock.

About the Author

Jim Steinmeyer has invented many of the famous illusions used by leading magicians from Ricky Jay to Siegfried & Roy. He created David Copperfield’s vanish of the Statue of Liberty and has also designed magic for six Broadway shows and many other productions, including Mary Poppins, currently playing in London’s West End. He is the author of Hiding the Elephant, the Los Angeles Times bestseller, which Teller hailed as “a radiant celebration of the genius, glamour, and gargantuan egos of stage magic.”
Steinmeyer has researched and rediscovered many great illusions of the past and has written numerous technical books on magic history and the techniques of magic. He lectures on these subjects and is a contributing editor to Magic magazine, the leading independent magazine for magicians.
In addition, Steinmeyer has served as consultant and producer for magic television specials in the United States and Great Britain, and was a writer and producer for the A&E network’s four-hour history of the art, The Story of Magic. For several years, he served as a consultant and concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, developing theme park attractions for The Walt Disney Company.
Jim Steinmeyer lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Frankie Glass, an independent television producer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (October 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786718072
• ISBN-13: 978-0786718078
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #369,334 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steinmeyer's writing..., August 28, 2007

By	P. Hearn - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

... is at all times crystal clear. His descriptions of performance and method are clear and concise and (to me at least) fascinating. A true magician in life and in his writing, he conjures performances from a half century ago that make the reader feel as if he has actually witnessed the work of the master magicians. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steinmeyer at his Best, November 3, 2008

By	S. Dawson "Essdee" (UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wakeling was a magical one-of-a-kind who could conjure with the best of them. His design work with Mark Wilson is legendary, but Steinmeyer brilliantly explores the impressive breadth of Wakeling's creativity.

As always, Steinmeyer's writing draws in the reader as he chronicles Wakeling's creations. An absolute must-read for the magical performer.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Bio, May 10, 2007

By	Abel Adams (Pa, USA) - See all my reviews

Orgiinally bought this because of the claim it teaches tricks, however the tricks are outdated and mostly bar room oriented. It's plus side is it reveals alot about the magician Alan Wakeling's life and magic inspiration.