Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic

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Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic

Postby Miles More Magic » Jul 6th, '06, 04:24



I've done a search and found one review, which didn't go into details.

As this book is quoted whenever someone asks "which book" I thought it would be good to give an idea of what they get.

Haven't used a template, but it's not easy with the detail needed.

Price

About £10-£20.
Suggest looking in local bookshops, as it may be cheaper than a magic shop/site.

What you get:

500 pages on a range of magic, suitable for all magicians, If you have just started, or been in the business for years, you will still look at this book.
As there is so much in here, I will only skim along the basic structure and types of tricks.

Cards.

Learn shuffles, cuts, sleights, how to use gimmicked cards and flourishes.
The tricks start with some self working ones, which is a good gentle start for beginers.
When different sleights are taught, he includes tricks you can do with the skills that you have learnt in that section.
There are about 150 pages devoted to cards.

Money magic.

Coins and paper magic are included, with the same format, ie, sleights are taught, then tricks using those sleights.
There are about 60 pages on money magic.

Rope magic.

Cut and restored tricks and a couple of escape routines are included.
28 pages on rope magic.

Silk magic.

Includes vanishing silks, vanishing a glass and producing a silk.
23 pages on silk magic.

Impromptu magic.

Includes rubber band, paper clip, matches and dots paddle magic.
21 pages on impromptu magic.

There are also 28 pages on Mental Magic, 7 pages of "betchas", 43 pages of Make At Home Magic ( This section alone can save you alot of money.)
9 pages of Sponge Ball Magic, which includes an 83 stage fully illustrated routine. 9 pages of Billiard Ball Magic, 8 pages on the Cups And Balls, 34 pages on Illusions, and finally 26 pages of Reputation Makers.


The book is cl;early illustrated throughout, with any complicated routines done in a step by step instruction/illustration form.

Now for another good reason this book is so good.

You have seen a trick that costs £20, well before you buy it, look in this book.

Examples:

You have seen a gimmicked Oil and Water packet trick.

You are taught in here how to do one with a normal deck.

Signed card to wallet trick, Torn and restored card, Rising card,

All in the book.

Think how much you have saved by buying this book. To buy just those 4 gimmicked effects would cost you at least twice as much as the book.

The same goes for coins, and close up effects.

With the added advantage of not having to carry around different packs for each trick you want to perform.

I have only been able to skim the very basic parts of this book.

Partly to the huge amount that you will find in there, partly due to the fact that it is hard to review in too much detail, without mentioning secrets on an open forum.


Marks out of 10.

For value, content, clearness of instructions and the ability to teach ANY skill level of magician, it can only be a 10.

Don't forget, this takes up a tiny space on a bookshelf, compared with boxes full of expensive, unused gimmicks.

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Postby Craig Browning » Jul 6th, '06, 13:26

Aside from the Tarbell Course in Magic this is possibly one of the most used reference books in all of magic. I don't know a magician who is a serious performer, that don't have this on a shelf and more important, it's not one of the books that collects dust. :wink:

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Postby Misanthropy » Jul 6th, '06, 15:20

I have cyclopedia of magic by Mark Wilson. Is it worth buying a complete course as well. I thought it was complete course cause it says a complete course on the cover :?

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Postby Craig Browning » Jul 6th, '06, 20:40

Misanthropy wrote:I have cyclopedia of magic by Mark Wilson. Is it worth buying a complete course as well. I thought it was complete course cause it says a complete course on the cover :?


I honestly don't know what the difference is in the two... not seen the Encyclopedia thing.

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Postby Stephen Ward » Jul 6th, '06, 20:41

the cyclopedia is a much smaller version with several effects and chaptures taken out.

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Postby Misanthropy » Jul 6th, '06, 21:08

do you think I should buy a complete course in magic or not?

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Postby Stephen Ward » Jul 6th, '06, 23:09

YES! EVERY MAGICIAN should have one. Cheap as chips and worth every penny

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Postby Misanthropy » Jul 7th, '06, 01:56

I already have cyclopedia of magic. Is it really worth getting what is essentially the same book with a lot of the same tricks in it for the missing tricks and chapters?

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Postby Sam X » Jul 7th, '06, 10:06

Yes.

Like Craig said, the same is true for me. MWCCIM is one of the most used books im my library (along side Tarbell)

You can get it on Amazon for about £10.

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Postby Lash » Jul 8th, '06, 23:18

Mark Wilson's Complete Course was the first real magic book I used when I was younger. It is great and well worth it. Also, it is ideal for someone who may not be able to afford very many of the Tarbell volumes because you can get Mark Wilson's Complete Course for less than you would pay for one Tarbell. I am in no way putting down Tarbell but Mark Wilson is ideal for someone that can just afford one good book b/c it covers just about everything you need to know to get started in magic and then some.

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Postby Viraen » Jul 9th, '06, 02:52

I recently got mark wilsons book and its GREAT

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Postby BigBoy9999 » Jul 9th, '06, 03:57

I've had Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic for a few years now, and I must say, it's a steal for it's current price!!! Why pay $10 for Torn & Restored when you can get that PLUS tons and tons of other tricks for the same price?!? This is one book that will NEVER collect dust, trust me. I actually have sat for hours and just studied this book when I'm bored. It's amazing and you won't ever regret buying it.

Overall,
10/10, hands down

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Postby Misanthropy » Jul 9th, '06, 11:35

I ordered it on amazon the other day. Will read it cover to cover when it arrives

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Mark Wilson's Course in Magic Book...

Postby Magical_Michael » Jul 13th, '06, 05:52

I have had this book in hardcover with the little "extras" it came with for well over 14+ years. I still enjoy reading and re-reading material in it. For anyone who wants to learn magic or expand their current presentation...this is an excellent resource! It is a purchase that you will not be disappointed in. I still find "new tricks" when I re-read it. With a little thought, when re-reading it, you can even come up with your own variations and presentations using the principles as your guide. :o) An excellent resource.
-M.M.

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Postby Renato » Jul 13th, '06, 09:25

Ace Sandwich is a great effect too :).

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