ILLUSION BOOKS

The following books are recommended reading for anyone with a serious interest in performing, designing or building illusions. These books should be considered an education into the many principles of illusion design. When building an illusion it is recommended you incorporate your own original style and ideas. They can be found at your local dealer or the Magic Auction.

Device & Illusion - Jim Steinmeyer
Modern Art - Jim Steinmeyer
The Magic of Alan Wakeling - Jim Steinmeyer
Art & Artifice - Jim Steinmeyer
The Jarret Book - Guy Jarret, Jim Steinmeyer
Howard Thurston's Illusion Show Notebook - Steinmeyer
Strange Power - Jim Steinmeyer

The Black Book -Osborne
Haunted Illusions - Osborne
Illusion Systems I - Osborne
Illusion Systems II - Osborne
Illusion Systems III- Osborne
Illusion Systems IV - Osborne
Illusions (Evolution) - Osborne

Conjuror's Optical Secrets - Sharpe
Conjuror's Psychological Secrets- Sharpe
Conjuror's Pneumatic/Hydraulic Secrets- Sharpe
Conjuror's Mechanical Secrets- Sharpe

Encyclopedia of Suspensions & Levitations - Bruce Armstrong

Devant's Delightful Delusions - Sharpe

llusionworks I - Rand Woodbury (also available on video)
llusionworks II - Rand Woodbury (also available on video)
llusionworks III - Rand Woodbury (also available on video)
Diversions - Rand Woodbury

The Great Illusion of Magic (2 -books) - Byron G. Wells

From Illusion to Reality- Logan van Woersem 2005 - Dutch
This book is in Dutch but will most likely be translated into English in 2006
and will then be released on the international magic market.

Illusion Builder To Fu Manchu - Robert Olson

Paragons and Paradoxes - Milian Forzetting

Keep the wheels Turning One - Owen
Keep the wheels Turning Two - Owen

Solo-X - A.Mayne
Illusion F/X - A. Mayne

Square One - Magic Magazine

Genii Illusions - Bill Larsen

Buatier de Kolta Genius of Illusion - Peter Warlock

P.T. Selbit A Magical Innovator - Eric Lewis & Peter Warlock

A choice Of Miracles - Eric Lewis

A Continuation of Miracles - Eric Lewis

The Tarbell Course In Magic - Harlan Tarbel

Our Magic - Nevil Maskellyne & David Devant

Cojuror's Book of Stage Illusions - Edward W. Dart

Greater Magic - Hilliard

Magic Of Lee Grabel - O. Mcgill

The Genius of Robert Harbin - Eric Lewis

Stage Illusions for 1-2-3 Performers Show - Burling Hull

Nite Club Illusions and Illusionettes - Abbotts

Magic By Misdirection - D. Fitzkee

Magic and Showmanship - Henning Nelms

Handbook Of Magic - Marvin Kaye

Magic (Great illusions) - 1923 David Charney

Magic (special f/x & trick photography) - 1898

The World's Greatest Magician...
A Tribute to Howard Thurston - Robert Olson

Mark Wilson Course In Magic - Mark Wilson

The Worlds Greatest Magic - Hyla Clark

The Encyclopedia Of Magic - Edwin A. Dawes

The Master Illusionists - Mark Walker

Conjuror's Book of Stage Illusions - Edward W. Dart

Illusionseseme - S.K.V. Kumar/Mickey Hades

Illusionary Departures by J C Sum

The Magic of Robert Harbin - Robert Harbin

The Art Of Illusion - Will Ayling

The Event Illusionist by J C Sum

The Illustrated History Of Magic - Milboure Christopher

. Steps & Bases - Rand Woodbury

Encylopedia of Stage Illusions - Burling Hull

Illusions - Ian Adair

Equilateral by J C Sum

15 Great Illusions - UF Grant

Garnts Illusion Secrets - Don Tanner

Bodies in Orbit - UF Grant

Six Modern Illusion - UF Grant

Rope Chain & Box Escapes - UF Grant

Suspensions & Levitations - James Paul Riser

Illusion Secrets - Joe Karson

Theatrical Flying - John McKinven

Illusion Building For The Home Craftsman - Dick Gustafson

Illusions of Ralph Adams - Ralph Adams

Illusions of James Hodges - James Hodges

Illusions,Illusions - Abbotts

Illusions In The Round - Don Arthur

Dawins Inexpensive Illusions - Gary Darwin

Age of Illusions - Will Goldston

Inexpensive Illusions - Verall Wass

.Illusions For Princes & Paupers - Eugene Poinc

Imagination - Eugene Poinc.

Will Goldston's - Exclusive Magical Secrets

Will Goldston's - More Exclusive Magical Secrets

Concepts In Modern Illusions - Aaron Balcom.

Classical Updates & Modern Advice - Aaron Balcom.

Willard the Wizard by Bev Bergeron

PT Selbit-Magical Innovator by Eric Lewis

Magic-On STAGE by Wally Reid

Illustrated Magic Ottakar Fisher

Secrets of My Magic by David Devant

Levante- by Kent Blackmore

The Great Leon by Mike Caveney

Carter the Great by Mike Caveney

Illusion Show by David Bamburg

Servais LeRoy by William Raushcher

The Life and Times of the Great Lafayette by Arthur Setterington

Walter Jeans Illusioneer by Peter Warlock

Okito on Magic by Theo Bamburg

Les escaliers truqués en grande illusion
(the step faking in grand illusion) by Flurp & D. Greg 1984 ( FRENCH)

Black Art Breakthroughs plus 15 new illusions and a complete act
by Dondrake illustration by Gary Darwin 1998 (ENGLISH)

Build your own illusions 20 practical stage size magical tricks by Jim Sommers 1974 (ENGLISH)

Les Grandes Illusions Américaines (The Americanse Grand Illusions) by Claude Klingsor 1977 (FRENCH)

50 Grandes Illusions d'hier et d'aujourd'hui
(50 Grand Illusion from yersterday up today) by R. Veno, Michel Hatte et James Hodges 1974 (FRENCH)

La magie de Yogano (The magic of Yogano) by Yogano 2002/2003 ( FRENCH)

 

Note: If you have any recommendations for books to add to this list

RETURN TO MAIN MENU