‘Architect of the Mind’ by Drew Backenstoss
Taking a look at “self-working mentalistm” and navigating the balance between process and presentation.
Book Review
Reviews, previews, and features on books about magic, performance, or theory.
Book Review
‘Knytkalas’ by Tom Stone
A potluck pick of ten great tricks beautifully bundled as a wonderful new book by Tom Stone.
Book Review
‘Final Degree’ by John Guastaferro
Taking a look at the third installment; packed with card magic, and there’s something for everyone.
Book Review
‘Starting Fires’ by Alexander Hansford
A neat set of three booklets—perfect for those getting into card magic. Fun. Easy to learn. Deeply fooling.
Book Review
‘GiSulHak: The Art of Conjuring by Chi-Yong Song,’ Translated, Edited, and Annotated by Won-il Kim
An early Korean conjuring book that is surprisingly “young.”
Book Review
‘Çerca’ by Robert Mansilla
Solid material from a working pro’s formal close-up repertoire that gives is both the “how” and the “why.”
Book Review
‘Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice’ by Larrian Gillespie
Taking another look at the famous magician’s untimely death. Was it what we thought it was?
Book Review
‘Thieving Bastards’ by Andrew Wimhurst
Getting a first-hand look at some of the grittier terrain of the gambling underworld.
Book Review
‘Unclear Guide to Magic’ by Jack Rhodes
A magnificent series of lessons from a former nuclear engineer.
Book Review
‘The Ross Johnson Legacy: Hard-Hitting Mentalism’ by Lawrence Hass with Ross Johnson
A terrific package of hard-hitting mental magic.
Book Review
The Mal-Observation Report by Richard Hodgson and SJ Davey
Looking at the history of parapsychology and its intersection with conjuring.
Book Review
On Second Thought by Paul Draper
A collection of monthly columns becomes a practical handbook for the modern mentalist.