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Product Description
Product Description
The scientists of showbiz. Magic has enchanted humankind for millennia, evoking terror, laughter, shock and amazement. Once persecuted as heretics and sorcerers, magicians have always been conduits to a parallel universe of limitless possibility - whether invoking spirits, reading minds, or inverting the laws of nature by sleight of hand. Long before science fiction, virtual realities, video games, and the Internet, the craft of magic was the most powerful fantasy world man had ever known. As the true pioneers of special effects in human history, magicians have never ceased to mystify by perpetually making the impossible possible. This book celebrates 500 years of the dazzling visual culture of the world's greatest magicians. Featuring over 1,000 rarely seen vintage posters, photographs, handbills, and engravings in one 640-page volume, it traces the history of magic as a performing art from the 1470s through the post-WWII years. Through sensational images and clear and insightful accompanying text, "Magic" explores the evolution of the magician's craft, from its early street performers to the brilliant stage magicians who gave rise to early cinematic special effects; from the 19th century's "Golden Age of Magic" to groundbreaking daredevils like Houdini and the vaudevillians of the early 20th century.
About the Author
TASCHEN editor Noel Daniel's most recent book is Circus 1870-1950 (2008). After graduating from Princeton University, she studied in Berlin on a Fulbright Scholarship. She received a master's in London and was the director of a photography art gallery before becoming a book editor. She lives in Los Angeles. Mike Caveney is a writer, publisher, collector, and professional magician who has published over 50 books on magic history. He has also written the biographies Carter the Great (1995) and Kellar's Wonders (2003). Caveney has performed in more than 20 countries and appeared on the NBC series World's Greatest Magic. He has been an avid collector and performer for more than three decades. Jim Steinmeyer is the author of many books on magic history and practice, including Los Angeles Times bestseller Hiding the Elephant (2004) and The Glorious Deception (2006). He has created deceptions featured by leading magicians such as Doug Henning, David Copperfield, and Siegfried and Roy, and critically acclaimed illusions for the Broadway hits Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, and Into the Woods. Ricky Jay is considered one of the world's great sleight-of-hand artists. He is also distinguished as an actor, historian, and best-selling author. His Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women and Jay's Journal of Anomalies were both named New York Times "Notable Books of the Year," and he defined the terms of his art for the Cambridge Guide to American Theatre and the Encyclopedia Britannica.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I already own this book and purchased a second copy for my oldest friend in Magic. He toured the world for 33 years with Illusions & Escapology.
The information, reproductions of photographs,play bills etc simply overwhelmed him.
I quote--'I have never seen anything like it about Magic in all my life'.
A huge book and at Amazon's price--a once in a life time bargain.
Allen Tipton
The information, reproductions of photographs,play bills etc simply overwhelmed him.
I quote--'I have never seen anything like it about Magic in all my life'.
A huge book and at Amazon's price--a once in a life time bargain.
Allen Tipton
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As usual, Taschen have delivered another massive massive book upto their usual standards. The book provides a history of magic and magicians over the last 600 years. The illustrations are the main reason I bought this and the other Taschen books. The fact that they are just so large and so beautifully reproduced is worth the money alone. The text is excellent too though, both compliment each other. Dont be put off that this is in English, French and German - the illustrations are different in each version of the chapter, and again have captions in each language.
If you are interested in magic, magicians or just love the pictures, then you should consider this book. All I need now is a large enough bookcase to store it...
If you are interested in magic, magicians or just love the pictures, then you should consider this book. All I need now is a large enough bookcase to store it...
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a quite oustanding book and unbelievable value for money for the quality and content. A wonderful example of the printers' art.
Lavishly illustrated it is a book to dip into time and time again. As a keen Magic historian it is a real treasure. I can so no more!
Lavishly illustrated it is a book to dip into time and time again. As a keen Magic historian it is a real treasure. I can so no more!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Magic
Just received the book Magic 1400 - 1950.
What a book, definitely not for bed time reading, far too big. Read more
What a book, definitely not for bed time reading, far too big. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Variety Bob
an amazing book !!!!!!!!!!!!
what a great source of knowledge for a magician ! Every picture, drawing or photo is an enchantment for the eyes. A wonderful present for sure.
Published on 18 Feb 2010 by SDK
Excellent.
Great resource and well done book.
A pleasure for the collector.
Very heavy book and very beautiful photos.
A gem.
A pleasure for the collector.
Very heavy book and very beautiful photos.
A gem.
Published on 12 Dec 2009 by Ciro Gargano
AMAZING
Only one word: amazing.
If you like magic and you like books buy it.
Magiciao
If you like magic and you like books buy it.
Magiciao
Published on 3 Dec 2009 by Sergio Moretti
Listmania!
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