- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: W&N; First Edition edition (14 Oct 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0297846353
- ISBN-13: 978-0297846352
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.2 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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- #66 in Books > Biography > Theatre & Performance Art > Magicians
The War Magician: The True Story of Jasper Maskelyne
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Product Description
Review
'Right from his memorable opening line [Fisher] shows a sure touch... a richly entertaining read.' (THE SUNDAY TIMES )
'a remarkable tale, delightfully told.' (SOLDIER magazine )
'This is one of those books that once you start, you can't give up... a fascinating read' (REGIMENT )
'a remarkable tale, delightfully told.' (SOLDIER magazine )
'This is one of those books that once you start, you can't give up... a fascinating read' (REGIMENT )
SOLDIER magazine
'a remarkable tale, delightfully told.'
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Jasper Maskelyne was drinking a glass of razor blades when the war began. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Jasper Maskelyne was drinking a glass of razor blades when the war began. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I can't for the life of me understand why the previous reviewers are so sceptical and critical of this book. What's the problem?
So what if it mixes historical narrative with supposed conversations between Maskelyn and his fellow Magic Gang members?
Although it was relatively undemanding to read, I found `The War Magician' superbly entertaining, informative and revealing. I regard it as a significant plus that `The War Magician' isn't bogged down in a dry-as-dust recital of military operations and strategy in the N African desert campaign of WWII.
Fisher should be applauded for writing in a style which has managed to humanise the subject. This is a rare feat in what can be a dry subject area. That he has achieved this so successfully, makes `The War Magician' far more readable as a result.
If readers crave a hugely comprehensive and in-depth overview of deception techniques used by the British in WWII, then they ought to try Holt's book, mentioned previously.
However, `The War Magician' does exactly what it says on the tin: it focuses on Maskelyne - the man, the illusionist, the forgotten hero of WWII.
A cracking read. Thumbs up.
So what if it mixes historical narrative with supposed conversations between Maskelyn and his fellow Magic Gang members?
Although it was relatively undemanding to read, I found `The War Magician' superbly entertaining, informative and revealing. I regard it as a significant plus that `The War Magician' isn't bogged down in a dry-as-dust recital of military operations and strategy in the N African desert campaign of WWII.
Fisher should be applauded for writing in a style which has managed to humanise the subject. This is a rare feat in what can be a dry subject area. That he has achieved this so successfully, makes `The War Magician' far more readable as a result.
If readers crave a hugely comprehensive and in-depth overview of deception techniques used by the British in WWII, then they ought to try Holt's book, mentioned previously.
However, `The War Magician' does exactly what it says on the tin: it focuses on Maskelyne - the man, the illusionist, the forgotten hero of WWII.
A cracking read. Thumbs up.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I agree with the previous reviewer, you never know what's historical truth and what's dramatisation. I'm not sure that matters though, because the story is fascinating. You know that Rommel is going to get beaten in the end, but you're not sure how much damage he did before El Alamein so you keep on reading. The style's very dry and I must admit I skipped pages when one mission seemed too much like another, but I enjoyed the book all the same, and wanted to know more about the subject which is for me is a fairly reliable test of whether it's a good read or not.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There is a lot of discussion on whether or not this book is fact or fiction. I picked it up to read because it was a work of "Non-Fiction". But after reading it I am not sure. The book does have verifiable historical detail. But it is filled with complete conversations of the characters/subjects. It seemed to me to be more of a historical novel. Though I do not think everything in the book is accurate, Most of what he is attributed to have done is plausible.
The War Magician written by David Fisher claims to be a true account of the exploits of the illusionist Jasper Maskelyne during the Second World War. Mr. Maskelyne comes from a long line of magicians. And like his ancestor who used his magic knowledge to help T.E. Lawrence in Arabia in WW I, he wanted to do his part in WW II. And so he does. His skills are used to help the British forces in developing new and creative weapons of illusion. Like making the armies look larger then they actually were. To innovations in camouflage, which are very interesting. And these camouflage techniques would take a mind such as Maskelyne had to conceive and execute.
The book makes for very interested reading. And just goes to remind us, that with enough ingenuity and hard work, anything can be accomplished. Regardless if the book is all factual, or if there is some embellishment, it is worth the read.
The War Magician written by David Fisher claims to be a true account of the exploits of the illusionist Jasper Maskelyne during the Second World War. Mr. Maskelyne comes from a long line of magicians. And like his ancestor who used his magic knowledge to help T.E. Lawrence in Arabia in WW I, he wanted to do his part in WW II. And so he does. His skills are used to help the British forces in developing new and creative weapons of illusion. Like making the armies look larger then they actually were. To innovations in camouflage, which are very interesting. And these camouflage techniques would take a mind such as Maskelyne had to conceive and execute.
The book makes for very interested reading. And just goes to remind us, that with enough ingenuity and hard work, anything can be accomplished. Regardless if the book is all factual, or if there is some embellishment, it is worth the read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very odd read!
I found the 1985 Corgi pb in my local second hand bookshop. Very strange way of writing I thought - like the script of a dramatised documentary. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Adrian Cook
Fiction
This book pretends to be fact, but most of it appears to be fiction. For instance, the midget submarine details in it it pure fantasy. So too, may well be the rest. Read more
Published 21 months ago by B. Olsen
Total Hogwash
This book may be entertaining, but nothing about it is true. As history it is total rubbish, being based on Maskelyne's entirely tendentious ghost-written memoir. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2007 by Jon Latimer
A strange read
One of the most puzzling books I have ever read. An amazing tale to be sure, but the manner of the telling is very odd. If Mr. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2006 by varanger
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