Reviews

Wizards in the Silent World

Dr. Simon Carmel’s fourth book of notable biographies of deaf magicians is a fascinating look at an amazing subculture of our art.

Effervescent

Oliver Meech has produced an easy-to-read collection of even-easier-to-do card material. It is quirky in a Paul Harris, Jay Sankey sort of way that screams “don’t take me too seriously.”

A Visual History of Theatrical Levitation

From the early 19th century to the present, magicians have devised ingenious methods to defy gravity on stage. Intrigued by this graceful form of illusion, David Haversat has assembled a sumptuous visual record of its evolution.

Juan Tamariz’s Flamenco

Flamenco is the third in the series of “Bewitched Music” following Sonata (1989) and Mnemonica (2004). Distinct from the other celebrated trilogy that deals with magic in a more abstract theoretical way, this book is tricks and sleights from cover to cover.

Gibecière Vol. 20, No. 1

Magicians don’t need to still be alive to surprise you. Do you want to read hand-written notes from when Mozart (yes, that one) was studying magic tricks? Thanks to Reinhard Müller and Rainer Buland, now you can.

Studies in Deception

Enclosed in the 242 pages of Aurelio Paviato’s Studies in Deception is the conjuror’s equivalent of Bach etudes: a dozen complete, professionally stage-tested routines that each focuses on a specific set of sleights and techniques for better structuring one’s magic.