Practicing the Art of Magic
A musician's approach on how to improve your magic practice.
August 2025
Vol. 88, No. 8
Book Review
The Retreat Gift Pack (Egypt)
A limited edition gift pack that includes three unique booklets from Ben Seidman, Shawn Farquhar, and John Guastaferro.
Book Review
Devil's Tarot
Card tricks with Tarot cards, this book will still teach you simple, affordable, and effective techniques.
Book Review
Second Wind: A Book of Old Magic Made New
A charming book of classic routines, but with new modern twists.
In Practice
Finger on the Pulse
This is a great enhancement to any mindreading routine. I like to use it right before revealing a piece of peeked information.
Features
Charlie Winn’s Educated Pig
This pig, a 19th-century American star of fairgrounds, appeared to be a mathematician, a linguist, and a mindreader.
In Performance
Illusion Magic Lounge
An intimate 150-seat Santa Monica magic theatre that offers a fantastic night out—and a special offer for Genii readers!
The Magic Castle
Summoning Harry
The Magic Castle has many special features, and one of the most popular is the Houdini Séance Room.
Perspectives
When Magic Shops Disappear
As Teller reflects on how the magic shops of his youth in Philadelphia, we can see how these magical spaces provided way more that just magic tricks.
Workshop
Judging Suggestions
So, what do you say when someone offers you some advice, a tip, a note? More important, how do you evaluate that suggestion?
Staff Picks
Misdirections Magic Shop
Meet the owner and operator of this famous magic shop in San Francisco—a friend to many, and a supporter of the art.
Book Review
Todd Karr's Bibliography of Magic
Compiled by Todd Karr, this multi-volume 1762-page set features details of over 23,000 conjuring works from around the globe from 1584 to 2025.