How Magicians Think
Misdirection, Deception, and Why Magic Matters
Published on 28. September 2021
320 pages
978-1-5235-1091-7 (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.
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.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
09/2021
Workman Adult
€27.50
Available immediately
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)
