Our Magic

Two masters of the Egyptian Hall on the art, theory and practice of magic, with worked examples of their own tricks. Still one of the best books on why magic works on an audience.

What’s inside

1. The real secrets of magic — Part I, the art in magic, by Nevil Maskelyne
2. The three degrees in art
3. Unity, consistency and justification
4. Surprise, repetition, transition and climax
5. Presentation, rehearsal and speed in presentation
6. Patter, stage manner and personality — mental attitude, the importance of artistic principles
7. Terminology and general analysis — Part II, the theory of magic, by Nevil Maskelyne
8. Misdirection
9. Styles of magic
10. Manipulative principles and principles of mental magic
11. Mechanical, optical, acoustic, electrical and chemical principles
12. Magical inventions
13. With playing cards: the triangle — Part III, the practice of magic, by David Devant; bibliographical index of card tricks
14. With billiard balls: multiplication
15. With figures: simple addition
16. With a borrowed watch: the forgotten guest
17. With a borrowed handkerchief: a lesson in magic
18. With bells: homing bells
19. With flags: the national colours
20. With liquids: the three vases
21. With a rabbit, a ball and two hats: the silver ball
22. With fish and letters: the educated fish
23. With doves and rats: the point of view
24. With a canary and a target: “The phoenix”

Nevil Maskelyne & David Devant, 1911 · E. P. Dutton & Company. Complete 512-page PDF. Free to download: check out at $0 and the file arrives by email and on your order page.

This classic is in the public domain. Scans come from library copies, so expect the odd stain or stamp of an old book.