Product Description

You don’t need a white tiger, expensive props, or hours of preparation to do magic. With a little practice, some clever misdirection (which lays at the heart of all magic tricks), and showmanship, you can surprise family, friends, and coworkers using a few everyday items!

If you’re looking to saw a beautiful women in half or make buildings disappear, we’re sorry, but this book isn’t you. But if you want to act out little miracles that you can perform on the spur of the moment with items that are usually within reach, then Magic For Dummies can show you how.

Magic For Dummies features more than 90 easy–to–perform deceptions, illusions, and sleights of hand for any event or occasion. You’ll discover how to perform entertaining card tricks, coin tricks, disappearing acts, as well as the always–popular mind reading trick. You’ll even see how easy it is to make money disappear as well as melt a saltshaker! Chock–full of show–stopping tricks, Magic For Dummies will:

• Get you started with easy–to–learn magic tricks
• Let you turn a restaurant into a your stage with tricks that include utensils, mugs, and even food
• Show you how to use a deck of cards to perform endless magic tricks
• Make you the life of the party with tricks such as “Call This Number,” “The Strength Test,” and “The Phantom Photo”
• Get you out of tough situations by giving you ten things to say when things go wrong

Filled with photos, patter, and presentation tips for every trick in the book, Magic For Dummies offers a great opportunity to become familiar with some of the coolest magic tricks ever performed. With the help of author David Pogue and the stunning tricks contributed by thirty–five of America’s top professional magicians, you’ll be leaving your friends, family, and coworkers spellbound at your mastery of the mystical arts.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38613 in Books
• Published on: 1998-07-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

From the Publisher
Learn how to mystify family, friends, and more!
From the mythical conjurings of Merlin, through the unexplainable escapes of Houdini, up to the modern day illusions of David Copperfield, magic has fascinated and entertained people for thousands of years. In MAGIC FOR DUMMIES, accomplished magician David Pogue. shares the tricks of the trade in this fun and humorous book that covers all you will need to know to amuse and impress in any occasion. Whether you are looking to entertain a group of kids at a birthday party or trying to find an ice breaker for a presentation, this book has the solution. While it won't show you how to saw your assistant in half, you can find clever tricks that will leave mouths agape.

Complete with step-by-step instructions and hundreds of illustrations, MAGIC FOR DUMMIES provide you with ice-breakers, crowd-pleasers and head turners. While it might not turn you into the next David Copperfield, rest assured; you can become the life of the party.

From the Back Cover
"A book that all magicians of any age and level of experience will cherish and refer to for years to come!" — Lance Burton, World–Renowned Magician "A wonderful introduction, not only to ‘how it's done,’ but also to ‘how and why You can do it’!" — Tobias Beckwith, Magic Producer and Manager

350 Step–by–Step Photos Featured!

Perform Magic at the Drop of a Hat You don't need a white tiger, expensive props, or hours of preparation to do magic. With a little practice and showmanship, you can bewitch family, friends, and coworkers using a few everyday items! Make money disappear, melt a salt shaker, and even read someone's mind! The trick to spicing up your next party, presentation, or evening out is easy — just pick up Magic For Dummies^®! Chock–Full of Show–Stopping Tricks:

• The Ninja Key Catch
• The Torn and Restored Toilet Paper
• Straw through the Jaw
• Beans through Orifices

Plus stunning tricks contributed by 35 of America's top professional magicians, including Lance Burton, Johnny Thompson, Jeff McBride, and Paul Harris!

About the Author
About David Pogue David Pogue is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has performed magic at parties, special events, on TV, and even over the radio for 25 years. He created and taught the beginning magic programs at the New School for Social Research and the Learning Annex. He has been known to mesmerize audiences with his magic tricks while on tour promoting his many bestselling books, including Macs?? For Dummies??, 5th Edition, Opera For Dummies??, and Classical Music For Dummies??. Contributor Mark Levy, magic consultant, has levitated and read spectators′ minds for nearly 30 years. His writings have appeared in some of magic′s most revered literary sources, including Richard Kaufman′s CardMagic, Apocalypse magazine, and Magic.

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Customer Reviews

Fantastic book with some very minor flaws
I have tried to learn magic a lot in the past but, have failed to find the right entry. Last week, however, I learned that there was a Dummies book on magic and I knew straight away that I had to have it

When I first got the book I wondered if it was going to be any good, but very soon after I began reading, I was hooked. This really is a wonderful entry into the world of magic. I can recommend it to both children and adults as the style is fairly simple but gets the point across even on some complex tricks. I'd love to give it five stars, but there are a few small problems. Unfortunately I can be a bit too American at times. By this, I mean that some tricks require props not found easily outside of America. Some tricks, for instance, work only with US coinage and the coins over here simply wouldn't do. Another trick requires a packet of lifesavers. I don't even know what these are let alone how to get some, (apart from going to America to get them). A few tricks require braided cotton clothesline. I don't know how easily obtainable it was for Pogue, but I cannot find it in any shop at all. Unfortunately, the references in the back of the book don't mean much to me either.

Apart from these quibbles, this real is an excellent book. Buy it, no matter what country you're in.

Good advice, Old tricks
Have you ever looked a Magic Kit. They almost always promise "over a hundred magic tricks inside." As a kid I bought the kit and ran home only to find props for four or five tricks and a book titled "A hundred tricks anyone can do." It was usualy a reprint of a book over 50 years old. The tricks were good, but most were bar bet sort of tricks. Amusing, but YOU want to learn "magic." That is why you used it as a keyword. There are a few good tricks in this book, but most can be found in any book in your local library. If you a curious about tricks PLEASE start there. If you know a few tricks and want to take the next step in becoming a "Magician," than this book is not without merits. The cartoons are great, the "cheat sheet" should be committed to memory, and the history of magic makes it a must read. If you want to learn some basic, well worn, tricks, save your money and grab your library card. If you know a few tricks and want to develope, this is a good place to start.

This book is a terific starting place for the beginner.
I have recently discovered the ancient art of visual deception, and I am more entertained than my "victims". This book was a surprise choice that has won my heart as an excellent starting book for anyone who really desires to be an expert deceiver. I like the fact that most of the stunts can be done with things you can carry in your pockets. Don't expect to make the Statue of Liberty vanish, although that trick is quite easy, but you will find ways to amaze and mystify your friends and customers.

Enjoy!

Mike