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The Effect:

"Make broken objects whole again! Float a table in mid-air! Have solid objects vanish and then re-appear! Read people's minds! Induce a hypnotic trance! All these and many other classic tricks are within your grasp when you follow the directions in this amazing book by one of the greatest magicians of all time"

...at least that's what the blurb on the back says anyway...


The Cost:

Pretty sure I paid around £7.00 for it, though it only has $9.95 (USA) and $14.95 (Canada) on the reverse.
ISBN 0-486-42779-x


Review:

I once read that for every five books of modern magic that you buy, you should endeavour to purchase at least one "old" tome.
One of the first "old" books I bought was this little book of wonders.
Much of its content is pretty basic stuff. Scarne states himself in the foreword that he has deliberately tried to eliminate sleight of hand as much as possible and to use ordinary household objects and materials throughout.

This appears to result in a Beginners book of magic which on the whole, it is. However, as with all "old" books of magic, there are a few long forgotten principles that can be incorporated in a modern routine.

Scarne's Bank Night, The Dollar That Wouldn't Burn, Scarne's Non Burning Bill are some great effects using ordinary bank-notes which are well worth checking out.

The most fascinating trick in the whole book is called: The Unstickable Pin.
Personally I have not had the courage to attempt this one yet though I have no doubt it probably works, but frankly I'd rather not take the risk...
...this coming from the guy who rushed out to B+Q the moment he say Mr Derren Brown perform the "Blockhead" routine.
(Top tip on this one guys....file down the burrs on the nail tip first..... )

Anyway. I digress.

Scarne's Magic Tricks is not going to set your world alight in a hurry.
Unless you attempt some of the multitude of politically incorrect cigarette tricks. Including Scarne's Fire Trick, which is a great follow up to the Unstickable Pin if self mutilation and danger are your bag. Scarne himself states "A bit of practice in private is necessary to perfect this trick". All I can say is...be prepared for some MASSIVE burns and blisters on your fingertips early on... reminds me somewhat of the "putting a cigarette out on your tongue" trick.



Score out of 10:

Despite some forgotten gems, the majority of this book is pretty basic stuff but don't let that put you off. Much of what is contained within is still being performed in some form or other to this day (this book was first published in 1951).

Overall though, I'd give it a 7.

A nice addition to your library but in no way essential reading.
...In my opinion...

The book is definitely essential reading. This is one of the most important books I have ever read.

10/10

Elliott

It really is a very good book. I would rate it 9/10.

This book gave me my initial education.

Your review brings back a lot of memories. Scarne's Magic Tricks (and later, Scarne's Card Tricks) was one of the first magic books I ever read. The book contains many hidden gems that I use to this day. Additionally, many of the effects sowed the seeds for some of the material I developed many years later.

To this day Scarne's wonderful books occupy an essential place in my library.

Oh- and the pin trick works as advertised. Nearly gave my mother a heart attack when I first did it way back in the days when computers still used punch cards.

Good thoughts,

Bob Cassidy

That book meant a lot to me when I was a kid trying to learn magic. The first book I got on magic was "Magic as a Hobby" by Bruce Elliot but it was completely impractical because of all the weird props you were supposed to use. I didn't know there was such a thing as magic shops and the information was completely useless.

But then I got Scarne's Magic Tricks out of the library. Most of the items in that book used ordinary everyday objects that could be found in any household. I still love the trick where you push a chalk mark through the table and it even fools magicians.

I fumbled through a lot of the tricks but mastered a few of them tolerably well. The education that it gave me in magic was very valuable. I taught myself magic and never met a single magician for two years after I started. And the Scarne book helped me immensely during this period. That book means a lot to me and I treasure it immensely.