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Magic in Theory: An Introduction to the Theoretical and Psychological Elements of Conjuring
A useful manual for any magician or curious spectator who wonders why the tricks seem so real, this guide examines the psychological aspects of a magician’s work. Exploring the ways in which human psychology plays into the methods of conjuring rather than focusing on the individual tricks alone, this explanation of the general principles of magic includes chapters on the use of misdirection, sleight of hand, and reconstruction, provides a better understanding of this ancient art, and offers a section on psychics that warns of their deceptive magic skills.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 20, 2019
There is a growing scientific literature on the psychological principles behind magicians' performances and an already large professional literature on the theory of performing magic. From the title and subtitle of this book, I expected to read a semi-scholarly (yet accessible to a wide audience) summary of this literature. That's not really what this book is about, though. Rather, it's a layman's introduction to how magicians think about their art and a few of the psychological principles of misdirection.
Little attention is paid to the actual psychological literature, and the discussions of magic theory will be old news to anyone who has given the art even a cursory study. However, if you're a curious audience member who wants a "peek behind the curtain" into how magicians think, this book would serve you well. The authors mostly preserve the magicians' code of secrecy, revealing only a couple of sleight of hand maneuvers in order to illustrate their points.
I think the book's best work can be found in its fourth chapter concerning the differences between magicians and pseudo-psychic performers. While this chapter is comparatively short, it provides a useful introduction to an ethical discussion that, though certainly not new to magicians, needs to be more widely and more thoughtfully considered. I don't fully agree with all of the authors' conclusions, but I respect their effort to begin a scholarly discussion of the issue.
Consider this a good introduction to magic theory if you're a neophyte. If you're well-versed in magic, and particularly if you're aware of the psychology of magic, you'll find more information in other sources.
Little attention is paid to the actual psychological literature, and the discussions of magic theory will be old news to anyone who has given the art even a cursory study. However, if you're a curious audience member who wants a "peek behind the curtain" into how magicians think, this book would serve you well. The authors mostly preserve the magicians' code of secrecy, revealing only a couple of sleight of hand maneuvers in order to illustrate their points.
I think the book's best work can be found in its fourth chapter concerning the differences between magicians and pseudo-psychic performers. While this chapter is comparatively short, it provides a useful introduction to an ethical discussion that, though certainly not new to magicians, needs to be more widely and more thoughtfully considered. I don't fully agree with all of the authors' conclusions, but I respect their effort to begin a scholarly discussion of the issue.
Consider this a good introduction to magic theory if you're a neophyte. If you're well-versed in magic, and particularly if you're aware of the psychology of magic, you'll find more information in other sources.
May 26, 2020
I have never read a book on magic, so I have no basis for comparing this book to others. I have no idea if it repeats things that many other books on magic describe. I have no idea if its claims that "most magicians would agree with this" are true. All I know is that Magic in Theory is a very interesting read.
Sure, at times this book is dry, just a glorified series of lists with definitions, but overall it's quite fascinating as it peels back the art of magic and gives us the science of magic. How are magicians able to trick? Why are audiences fooled? Though there are no clear-cut answers, this book helped me understand how those things are possible.
Another thing that was impressive was all the personal interviews Mr. Lamont referenced. He clearly has taken a lot of time gathering insights and information to try to understand the science of magic better, and it was neat to read people on the inside talking about the mechanics of their craft.
It would have been nice if Mr. Lamont had given a few more examples to illustrate the concepts he was talking about, but the examples he did provide were very helpful.
All in all, Magic in Theory is a very interesting book and worth the short read.
Sure, at times this book is dry, just a glorified series of lists with definitions, but overall it's quite fascinating as it peels back the art of magic and gives us the science of magic. How are magicians able to trick? Why are audiences fooled? Though there are no clear-cut answers, this book helped me understand how those things are possible.
Another thing that was impressive was all the personal interviews Mr. Lamont referenced. He clearly has taken a lot of time gathering insights and information to try to understand the science of magic better, and it was neat to read people on the inside talking about the mechanics of their craft.
It would have been nice if Mr. Lamont had given a few more examples to illustrate the concepts he was talking about, but the examples he did provide were very helpful.
All in all, Magic in Theory is a very interesting book and worth the short read.
December 22, 2019
A fun, if dry in places read.
A someone who is interested in deception I thought that this would help me be be deceived a little less.
The authors specifically state that a little bit of knowledge here while a good thing might not help you. Magicians fool other magicians all the time. So while I am thinking they did one thing, they might have done something else, or more likely a few other things else.
Great stuff.
High recommended.
A someone who is interested in deception I thought that this would help me be be deceived a little less.
The authors specifically state that a little bit of knowledge here while a good thing might not help you. Magicians fool other magicians all the time. So while I am thinking they did one thing, they might have done something else, or more likely a few other things else.
Great stuff.
High recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews