The World of Magic: A Journey through Different Cultures and Traditions

Magic for Dummies Magic has always captivated and intrigued human beings throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern times, the idea of wielding supernatural powers has been a source of wonder and fascination. But what if you're someone who has always wanted to learn about magic but feels completely clueless? Fear not, for this guide, "Magic for Dummies," is designed to provide a basic understanding of the magical world and help you get started on your journey. Firstly, it's essential to understand that magic is not just about performing tricks or illusions; it goes beyond that. Magic is an art form that combines skill, creativity, and the ability to harness unseen forces. It requires dedication, practice, and an open mind.

The later chapters in the book are the most valuable for a beginner, or any magician. Chapter 15: Ten Basics of Good Magic. Chapter 16: Ten Classic Moments in Magic History. Chapter 17: Ten Dead Magicians Worth Knowing. Chapter 18: Ten Things to Say When Things Go Wrong. Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Get More into Magic. At the very end are useful appendixes. Appendix A, for example, lists some good Magic Stores, Publishers, Societies, and Magazines. Apendix B offers a glossary of magic words, letting you in on the lingo.

There are easy tricks, body tricks, geek tricks, clothing tricks, office supply tricks, money tricks, restaurant tricks, matches tricks, pick a card tricks, party tricks, rope tricks, etc. OK, you can call me Percy Pedant, but I do have an instinctive dislike of the for Dummies concept due to its failure to differentitiate between stupidity and ignorance.

It requires dedication, practice, and an open mind. Before delving into the various types of magic, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with some foundational concepts. Energy, intention, and belief are key elements in any magical practice.

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Magic for Dummies book by David Pogue, boasts “over 90 easy-to-perform tricks using everyday items like money, silverware and playing cards!” and “Includes favourite tricks from 35 top professionals magicians” Also Lance Burton is quoted on the front saying “A book that all magicians of any age and level of experience will cherish and refer to for years to come”

I got this as a Christmas present, The RRP is £18.99 but you can get it for £9.49 here
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Dummies-s . 842&sr=1-1

Difficulty: 1-2
(1=Easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

This is a book aimed at beginners so most of the effects in here are pretty easy.

The author is joined by a collective of magicians including Jeff McBride, Johnny Thompson and Lance Burton amongst others. For the purpose of this book they are known as the advisory pantheon and contribute tricks. There’s an introduction on each at the start and their tricks are credited in the trickography at the back
Also included sprinkled throughout the book are advice and anecdotes on the fundamentals of magic as well as icons informing you of needing to do prep work, misdirection, acting etc next to each trick point to enhance the effect.
The book is 369 pages long, 18 chapters in all but the last 4 are to do with advice and history and magic events in history.
My favourite chapters in this book are the ones on cards and building your own card trick which contains both forces and reveals and the chapter on mentalism.
I particularly enjoyed the torn and restored toilet paper effect in chapter 14, “Don’t show me the money” in chapter 3 where the magician puts down three $1 dollar bills and one $20 dollar bill on the table and turn his back and the spectator switches the bills and then the magician tells them to keep taking bills off the table until there’s only one left which is the $20) I thought that was fun, same with “give me a ring something – and a string” where the magician hooks a ring on a looped string and with a couple of twists he manages to pull the ring off the string even with both ends wrapped around the spectators thumbs. I decided to skip a lot of this book because I didn’t like the tricks because I didn’t think they were real magic but I’ve gone into more detail about that below.

I would recommend it for beginners only who want to get something easy to get started with as not to put them off magic but unfortunately this book did because a lot of the stuff included are more gags than magic or tricks that are really easy to figure out or are impractical but there are a few chapters which I did enjoy and a few more tricks from other chapters I enjoyed as well but I didn’t think these justified the price of the book, I probably wouldn’t have bought this book if I hadn’t got it as a present, however it did give me plenty of ideas and taught me the basics of magic.
3/10

"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken"
"Self improvement is masturbation of self destruction"

by Replicant » Nov 11th, '07, 20:35

I agree with your summary of the book. I got this when I was first starting out in magic and thought it was ok; like you say, there are a few gags and jokes in the book which I don't really care for. Definitely not worth the RRP of £19-odd, in my opinion, but typically for a Dummies book, it is quite an enjoyable and humorous read.

Check my review index for an existing review on this book. http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic1759.php

by memorire » Nov 2nd, '08, 08:23

I disagree with the review. This book does have some very strong effects in it. Perhaps they are even too good for the general public.

In my opinion its a very good introduction for a beginner and thats how it should be rated. for a beginner i would rate it 9/10 (the amateur magicians handbook having 10/10)

@reviewer. if it taught you the basics of magic then it has fulfilled its purpose. why such a low rating?

by Alraune » Nov 2nd, '08, 10:38

Most reviews of the book are positiv. I personally agree with the negative one here.
I got this book to start with magic and I didn't. Years later I made a second try with the Royal Road and Wilsons Complete Course and those beginners book are simply on another level than the Dummy-book. It includes some nice gags but nothing you can really use in a performance (and thats what IMHO is the reason for learning magic).

by Misanthropy » Nov 4th, '08, 16:40

I gave it a low score because as you said there are much better beginner books out there and it did put me off a little because some of the things in it were really dumb but maybe I was a little harsh and should have given it 5/10

"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken"
"Self improvement is masturbation of self destruction"

by drewj » Feb 4th, '09, 23:07

I got this for my daughter when she was about twelve and expressed a (passing) interest.

OK, you can call me Percy Pedant, but I do have an instinctive dislike of the 'for Dummies' concept due to its failure to differentitiate between stupidity and ignorance. However, I was pleasantly suprised by this. There are some strong effects here, and quite a lot of the sort of filler material of gag/fun stuff things that you might used between tricks. The writing style is quite relaxed, without overdoing the folksy feel that could be a problem.

All in all, about a 7 out of 10.

Incidentally, my daughter decided that her future lay in the audience side of things. Unusually, she really preferred not to know how things were done.

I would recommend it for beginners only who want to get something easy to get started with as not to put them off magic but unfortunately this book did because a lot of the stuff included are more gags than magic or tricks that are really easy to figure out or are impractical but there are a few chapters which I did enjoy and a few more tricks from other chapters I enjoyed as well but I didn’t think these justified the price of the book, I probably wouldn’t have bought this book if I hadn’t got it as a present, however it did give me plenty of ideas and taught me the basics of magic.
3/10

Magic involves working with energy, often referred to as "mana" or "chi," and directing it towards a specific purpose through focused intention. Belief in the power and effectiveness of your magic is equally important. Developing a strong belief system not only enhances your magical abilities but also shapes your overall experience. There are different branches or types of magic, each with its own unique principles and practices. Some commonly known forms of magic include elemental magic, chaos magic, ceremonial magic, and divination, among others. Elemental magic focuses on working with the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Chaos magic, on the other hand, emphasizes individualism and incorporates various techniques from different traditions. Ceremonial magic involves elaborate rituals and symbols for invoking spiritual entities or deities. Divination is the practice of gaining insight or foretelling the future through methods like tarot cards, pendulums, or scrying. Now that you have a general understanding of magic, it's time to explore some beginner-friendly magical practices. Meditation, visualization, and spellcasting are excellent starting points for aspiring magicians. Meditation helps calm the mind, unlock inner potential, and connect with the universal energy. Visualization is a powerful tool that allows you to manifest your desires by imagining them vividly in your mind's eye. Spellcasting involves using rituals or incantations to direct energy towards a specific goal. Remember to approach spellcasting with ethical intentions and respect for the free will of others. As a beginner, it's recommended to start simple and gradually delve into more complex practices. Research and study different magical traditions and systems to find what resonates with you. Seek out teachers or mentors who can guide you on your journey. Experiment, practice, and keep a journal to record your experiences and progress. Becoming a proficient magician takes time and dedication, so be patient with yourself. The magic you seek is within you; it only needs to be awakened. With an open heart, a curious mind, and a dash of belief, you can embark on a transformative journey through the world of magic. Remember, magic is a personal and unique experience for every individual. So embrace the wonder, embrace the mystery, and let your magical journey unfold..

Reviews for "The Art of Showmanship: Engaging and Entertaining Your Audience"

1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magic for Dummies". The title made it seem like it would be a great introduction to magic tricks, but instead, I found the book to be filled with complicated and confusing explanations. The author seemed to assume that the reader had prior knowledge of magic, which I definitely did not. Overall, I felt overwhelmed and frustrated while reading this book, and it did not live up to my expectations.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - I cannot stress enough how much I disliked "Magic for Dummies". As a beginner in the world of magic, I was hoping this book would provide simple and easy-to-follow instructions. However, I found the explanations to be convoluted and unclear. There were also numerous typos and errors throughout the book, which made it even more difficult to understand. I ended up feeling discouraged and gave up on trying to learn anything from this book. I would not recommend it to anyone looking to learn magic tricks.

3. Emily - 2/5 - I was excited to delve into the world of magic with "Magic for Dummies", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book seemed to assume that the reader had access to various props and tools, which I did not have. It would have been helpful if the author had included alternatives or suggestions for those who may not have all the required materials. Additionally, the explanations were often vague and lacking in detail, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I found this book to be frustrating and not suited for beginners like myself.

4. Mike - 2/5 - As someone who has always been interested in magic, I was hoping I could learn some cool tricks from "Magic for Dummies". However, I quickly realized that the book was more focused on the history and theory of magic rather than providing practical instructions. While this may interest some readers, I was left feeling disappointed and wanting more hands-on guidance. The book also lacked illustrations or diagrams, which would have been helpful in understanding the tricks being described. Overall, I would not recommend this book to someone looking to learn actual magic tricks.

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