How Magicians Think
Misdirection, Deception, and Why Magic Matters
Published on 28. September 2021
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-5235-0743-6 (ISBN)
Description
The door to magic is closed, but it's not locked. And now Joshua Jay, one of the world's most accomplished magicians, not only opens that door but brings us inside to reveal the artistry and obsessiveness, esoteric history, and long-whispered-about traditions of a subject shrouded in mystery. And he goes one step further: Joshua Jay brings us right into the mind of a magician-how they develop their other worldly skills, conjure up illusions, and leave the rest of us slack jawed with delight time after time. Along the way, Jay reveals another kind of secret, one all readers will find meaningful even if they never aspire to perform sleight of hand: What does it take to follow your heart and achieve excellence? In 52 short, compulsively readable essays, Jay describes how he does it, whether it's through the making of illusions, the psychology behind them, or the way technology influences the world of magic. He considers the aesthetics of performance, discusses contemporary masters, including David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and David Blaine, and details how magicians hone their craft. And answers questions like: Can a magic trick be too good? How do you saw a person in half? Is there real magic in the universe? The answers, like so much in magic and life, depend on you.
Reviews / Votes
"Joshua Jay is a superb, innovative conjurer with an unrelenting love of the art. This captivating book is proof of that passion." --David Copperfield "A loving, behind-the-scenes map of the world of magic, by someone who knows and lives the art. Swift, funny, honest, and alive with enthusiasm. And he has the good sense to quote me a lot." --Teller (of Penn & Teller)"Joshua Jay has proven to be an important voice in magic. How Magicians Think is a thoughtful, engaging look into the secretive world of magicians. This book will excite anybody with a curiosity of love for magic." --David Blaine
"How Magicians Think is fascinating, beautiful, and can't-put-down shocking. It will inspire awe in its depiction of the secretive world of magicians and is a must-read for anyone passionate about pursuing excellence." --Uri Geller
"In How Magicians Think, the great Joshua Jay reveals a magician's greatest secret--not a secret shuffle or how they kept a dove alive in their pants for four hours --but how they think. The answer? Differently, creatively, and beautifully. I mean, how can you not love someone who's devoted their life to making you feel wonder?" --Pete Holmes, comedian and author of Comedy Sex God
"How Magicians Think is one of the most remarkable books I have ever read! Joshua Jay is a genius storyteller who has distilled a life's worth of insights into a single book, and the result is magical." --Steven Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics
"A must-read for anyone who loves magic. Joshua Jay is not only a world class performer, but he is a thought-leader in magic. Whatever your passion, you'll find inspiration and motivation in these pages. I couldn't put it down." --Jon Dorenbos, NFL Superbowl champion and best-selling author
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Workman Publishing
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
4 color with illustrations throughout
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
736 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5235-0743-6 (9781523507436)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2021
Workman Publishing Company
€10.99
Available for download
Person
Joshua Jay, bestselling author of Magic and other books, has performed on stages in over 100 countries, fooled Penn & Teller on their hit show, Fool Us, and holds a Guinness World Record in card magic. He has designed illusions for stage and screen, including a recent collaboration with HBO's Game of Thrones. In 2018, he was recognized by the Society of American Magicians with their highest proclamation, for his contribution to the art of magic. He lives in New York City.
Content
CONTENTS
Introduction
1: Why magic? (Part I)
2: When did you know magic would be your life?
3: What is magic?
4: What does it feel like to perform magic?
5: How do you saw someone in half?
6: Why don’t magicians repeat their tricks?
7: Seriously, how do you saw someone in half?
8: What happens if a magician reveals a secret?
9: How do you create magic?
10: How are we fooled exactly?
11: Who are your favorite magicians? (Part I) — Jerry Andrus, Rune Klan, Richard Turner, René Lavand
12: What do you do for a living?
13: How often do magicians practice?
14: Was Harry Houdini the greatest magician ever?
15: Why is magic still so male?
16: Why isn’t Houdini considered the greatest magician ever?
17: How do you build a magic show?
18: How do magicians use technology?
19: How are you using technology?
20: What role do words play in magic?
21: Who are your favorite magicians? (Part II) — Ricky Jay, Simon Aronson, Jeff McBride, Derren Brown
22: Do magicians get fooled?
23: Why do some people hate magic?
24: Who is the hardest audience to fool?
25: What’s your most difficult trick?
26: Could you cheat at cards?
27: What makes David Copperfield so iconic?
28: Is magic art?
29: What’s the weirdest show you ever did?
30: What do you think about when you perform?
31: And what about right before you go onstage?
32: How did Houdini die?
33: What’s worse—screwing up a trick or dealing with hecklers?
34: Why aren’t there more Black magicians?
35: Does magic look different in other countries?
36: What makes Penn & Teller so dynamic?
37: What’s your favorite magic trick?
38: What do magicians do in secret?
39: Do you have magic students?
40: What is the Magic Castle?
41: Who are your favorite magicians? (Part III) — Rob Zabrecky, David Williamson, Tommy Wonder
42: But do you have a very favorite magician?
43: Do magicians insure their hands?
44: Is David Blaine for real?
45: Can a magic trick be too good?
46: What are the magic Olympics?
47: Why do magicians pull rabbits out of hats?
48: Is magic memorabilia valuable?
49: Why do magicians have such big egos?
50: Is there real magic in the universe?
51: What’s the next big thing in magic?
52: Why magic? (Part II)
Introduction
1: Why magic? (Part I)
2: When did you know magic would be your life?
3: What is magic?
4: What does it feel like to perform magic?
5: How do you saw someone in half?
6: Why don’t magicians repeat their tricks?
7: Seriously, how do you saw someone in half?
8: What happens if a magician reveals a secret?
9: How do you create magic?
10: How are we fooled exactly?
11: Who are your favorite magicians? (Part I) — Jerry Andrus, Rune Klan, Richard Turner, René Lavand
12: What do you do for a living?
13: How often do magicians practice?
14: Was Harry Houdini the greatest magician ever?
15: Why is magic still so male?
16: Why isn’t Houdini considered the greatest magician ever?
17: How do you build a magic show?
18: How do magicians use technology?
19: How are you using technology?
20: What role do words play in magic?
21: Who are your favorite magicians? (Part II) — Ricky Jay, Simon Aronson, Jeff McBride, Derren Brown
22: Do magicians get fooled?
23: Why do some people hate magic?
24: Who is the hardest audience to fool?
25: What’s your most difficult trick?
26: Could you cheat at cards?
27: What makes David Copperfield so iconic?
28: Is magic art?
29: What’s the weirdest show you ever did?
30: What do you think about when you perform?
31: And what about right before you go onstage?
32: How did Houdini die?
33: What’s worse—screwing up a trick or dealing with hecklers?
34: Why aren’t there more Black magicians?
35: Does magic look different in other countries?
36: What makes Penn & Teller so dynamic?
37: What’s your favorite magic trick?
38: What do magicians do in secret?
39: Do you have magic students?
40: What is the Magic Castle?
41: Who are your favorite magicians? (Part III) — Rob Zabrecky, David Williamson, Tommy Wonder
42: But do you have a very favorite magician?
43: Do magicians insure their hands?
44: Is David Blaine for real?
45: Can a magic trick be too good?
46: What are the magic Olympics?
47: Why do magicians pull rabbits out of hats?
48: Is magic memorabilia valuable?
49: Why do magicians have such big egos?
50: Is there real magic in the universe?
51: What’s the next big thing in magic?
52: Why magic? (Part II)