talkmagic.co.uk

Anyone have any recommendations on books that go into the history of magic or biographies of magicians that could be found in a bookstore or regular store?

Thanks,
Ian

The obvious answer is to look up Jim Steinmeyer on Amazon.

He's written a load of great books, available at mainstream bookshops.



Pete

Jim's books are good. There are some good biographies of Houdini out. Paul Daniels had a biography out a few years ago. And John Fischer has written some very good books (including biographies of Tommy Cooper and Tony Hancock).
If you are looking for fiction there are some wonderful books out there, including The Magician's Wife, by Brian Moore, which is based on the story of Robert Houdin. Very good read.
My own book, The Gilli Gilli Man, will be out shortly, featuring a magician battling an international terrorist organisation in the frozen wastes of Lapland. But that's for another day.

A novel regarding a serial-killer magician is out, called "The Vanished Man" by Jeffrey Deaver.

In terms of history, in my 'to-read' pile is that book on The Magic Circle (can't remember who it is by), and "The Secret Life of Houdini" by William Kalush and Larry Sloman.

All three of them are available from bookshops.

beetlejuiceecis wrote:
In terms of history, in my 'to-read' pile is that book on The Magic Circle (can't remember who it is by), and "The Secret Life of Houdini" by William Kalush and Larry Sloman.

The book on TMC is by Michael Bailey. The Houdini book is excellent.

For novels that deal with magic and magicians, I can recommend "Sherlock Holmes and the Houdini Birthright" by Val Andrews, and "Confessor" by John Gardner.

Barry

beetlejuiceecis wrote:A novel regarding a serial-killer magician is out, called "The Vanished Man" by Jeffrey Deaver.

Just read this one. I thought the first 3/4 was quite good and then it got totally ridiculous towards the end and spoiled it all.

Surely the all-time greatest "magic novel" is CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL?

I know this doesn't answer your question, but The Houdini Girl by Martyn Bedford is a pretty good read if you're into fiction.

http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Greatest-M ... 0517528045
The world's greatest magic by Hyla Clark is delightful.

pcwells wrote:The obvious answer is to look up Jim Steinmeyer on Amazon.

He's written a load of great books, available at mainstream bookshops.



Pete

The older obvious answer "The Illustrated History of Magic" by Melbourne Christopher and most any of the historic accounts by Walter Gibson

The Rise of the Indian Rope Trick by Peter Lamont - highly recommended. A right cracking read. Available from Amazon.

Double Post...

TheStoner wrote:

beetlejuiceecis wrote:A novel regarding a serial-killer magician is out, called "The Vanished Man" by Jeffrey Deaver.

Just read this one. I thought the first 3/4 was quite good and then it got totally ridiculous towards the end and spoiled it all.

Surely the all-time greatest "magic novel" is CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL?

I read Carter beats the devil and thought it was decent. Thanks for all the replies I'll definitely look into Jim's stuff. (IB)

Phantoms of the Card Table was alright, and didn't Dunninger publish a bunch of books including an autobiography?

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic20494.php&highlight=

and Hiding the Elephant

Somebody mentioned John Gardner on this thread. I once saw him and Jon Tremaine sitting together decades ago at a night club I was working. And then he described a mental act in one of his books. It was virtually identical to Jon Tremaine's. It must have been based on Jon.

As for biographical type books my own memoirs should be coming out in the next few months. I should have entitled it "How to lie, cheat and steal for a living" but I thought better of it.