The Effect
Not a book of effects, but a MASSIVE, high quality book on magic history. The names involved guarantee quality of information and writing (Ricky Jay, Mike Caveney, Jim Steinmeyer) and all of the chapters and captions are in 3 languages (in order): English, German, and French. The information in each language is the same, but the pictures and prints in each translation cycle.
From the publisher:
Illusion, Enchantment and Wonder
The world’s greatest magicians from the Middle Ages through the 1950s
Magic has enchanted humankind for millennia, evoking terror, laughter, shock, and amazement. Once persecuted as heretics and sorcerers, magicians have always been conduits to a parallel universe of limitless possibility—whether invoking spirits, reading minds, or inverting the laws of nature by sleight of hand. Long before science fiction, virtual realities, video games and the internet, the craft of magic was the most powerful fantasy world man had ever known. As the pioneers of special effects throughout history, magicians have never ceased to mystify us by making the impossible possible.
This book celebrates more than 500 years of the dazzling visual culture of the world's greatest magicians. Featuring more than 1,000 rarely seen vintage posters, photographs, handbills, and engravings as well as paintings by Hieronymus Bosch and Caravaggio among others, this 650-page volume traces the history of magic as a performing art from the 1400s to the 1950s. Combining sensational images with incisive text, Magic explores the evolution of the magician’s craft, from medieval street performers to the brilliant stage magicians who gave rise to cinematic special effects; from the 19th century's Golden Age of Magic to groundbreaking daredevils like Houdini and the early 20th century's vaudevillians.
Cost
$130-$200 depending on where you get your copy
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-1400s-1950s ... HXJ1EJYRBN
http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalog ... s1950s.htm
I saved up for over a month to make the purchase and I have no regrets.
Difficulty
(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)
N/A
Review
This book is ridiculously big-- about the size of a child's torso. No exaggeration, this dwarfs Miracle Factory books and makes Art of Astonishment look small. It is 17 pounds and comes with a cardboard case with a handle to make it easier to transport. High Quality is the phrase that applies to all the physical features of the book. The dust jacket is full color, thick, and excellent in its own right, the linen hardcover has detail of various suites impressed in it, the pages themselves are thick and durable. Loving magic, magic history, and books, just holding the book makes me happy.
I haven't read much of it yet, just the chapter on the spiritualist movement (phantasmagoria and Pepper's ghost to the Davenports and their posterity), but I can say it's well written. All the important names involved (and many lesser known people as well) are given their appropriate places in history.
The real value of the book-- the collection of pictures and poster art in it-- are plentiful, vivid, and BIG. I've seen pictures of Germain the Wizard in Stuart Cramer's book (an excellent book, by the way), but in full color, on high quality paper with all of the details makes the difference between a rough diamond and a cut, polished one. Many of the captions are amusing as well; for a picture of several magicians discussing sleight of hand in front of a strip-tease stage, the caption pokes fun of the fact that they are so engrossed as to not pay any attention to the 'performer' on stage.
One flaw the book has is that it's almost too big. I'm still looking for a comfortable way to read it.
This book is a treasure. My review honestly could not have done it justice.
Overall
9/10 Those interested in magic history or books in general owe it to themselves to save up for this.
However, it loses a point for being too damn big to read lying on my back.
Sad I know..
