4 Years of Magic Books: My Top Recommendations

I've read a lot of magic books over the last four years of Erudite Magic, and I'd like to share some of my favorites, as well as the lessons I've learned from these magic books. I hope the lessons resonate with you, too!
🛒 Shop this week with the sponsor of this episode - Don's Magic & Books. Discover OOP and hard to find magic book on his website: ⭐ bit.ly/DonsMagic ⭐
📰 Can't get enough Erudite Magic on Sundays? Join my Newsletter and be part of the conversation as often as you'd like: eruditemagic.substack.com
⏳ Timestamps:
0:00 - Celebrating 4 years
0:56 - Bonus book (#5)
1:53 - Lesson 1
2:26 - Book #4
3:49 - Lesson 2
4:30 - Don's Magic & Books
5:24 - Book #3
7:06 - Book #2
8:15 - Lesson 3
8:57 - Book #1
10:23 - The big lesson
12:26 - Thank you!

[@EruditeMagic]

📰 Can't get enough Erudite Magic on Sundays? Join my Newsletter and be part of the conversation as often as you'd like: eruditemagic.substack.com

[@edblitch3549]

Congratulations on 4 great years my friend.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Ed!

[@evanbishop7771]

A great list! Been here since the beginning and I always look forward to your videos, Jeff. You’ve gotten better and better over the years!

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Evan!

[@twatmunro]

Your reviews have definitely improved over the last four years. You're doing a great job of explaining what's interesting or insightful about a book, why it spoke to you and what the appeal might be for us. I really look forward to your Sunday videos.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Twat!

[@jethro1963]

I gotta agree, I don't know how many subs I have (150?) and I don't get notifications for any of them (don't want to) but this is the only channel where I pay attention and know and look forward to when a new vid comes out.

[@EruditeMagic]

Too kind!! 🙏

[@WillFern]

Keep up the great work for many more years! I love your reviews.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Will!!

[@ronspanglermagic]

Thank you, Jeff! Great episode.

[@EruditeMagic]

Appreciate it, Ron!

[@donunicycle]

Congratulations, Jeff! Keep up the great reviews.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thank you my friend!!

[@adeadlysin272]

You are very welcome, and the appreciation goes both ways. Thank you for all you do :)

[@EruditeMagic]

You're very welcome!

[@jerryRp90x]

I'm still reading Scripting Magic, Dale Carnegie, and David Kaye's book that I purchased from Mr. Don!

[@EruditeMagic]

Fantastic!

[@dominic_cards2721]

It’s been an honour to be apart of your journey on this channel Jeff! Thank you for all the work you do for the magic community 🤝 Can’t wait for what’s coming next!!

[@EruditeMagic]

Thank *you*, Dominic!

[@DellWolfensparger]

I'd love to see this same theme by category.... closeup, parlor, stage, manipulation, cards, coins, etc

[@EruditeMagic]

Tough to say what all of the categories would be. For example, I don't think there are a lot of coin books that have been released over the last 4 years. Nor manipulation

[@DellWolfensparger]

@@EruditeMagic I think you are right in this case... parlor, closeup, cards would work well but the others are tough

[@d1g1m1]

Always look forward to your book reviews… Thanks 🙏🌅😃

[@EruditeMagic]

Absolutely - it's my pleasure

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Great summation and congrats on the anniversary. Here's to many more! ♧♡♤♢

[@EruditeMagic]

Thank you, Anthony!

[@frobstube]

Jeff, thank you for the channel. This serves as therapy for a magic book addict. I was so delighted to discover that I wasn't alone.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thank you for the kind words, and for being an Erudite Magician

[@enriquegonzalez6425]

Happy anniversary! 🎉Thank you for all you do. 4 more years! 4 more years! 4 more years!....😊

[@EruditeMagic]

🤣🤣🤣

[@avikbanerjee365]

Congratulations on the 4 years🎉...would love to see a video on a bookstore with magic books...

[@EruditeMagic]

You mean a traditional bookstore like Barnes & Noble?

[@avikbanerjee365]

Yeah...that would be cool​@@EruditeMagic

[@ScottRSmith1964]

I didn’t make the premier today. It’s been a long time since I missed one. I was watching the conclusion of a 3 week bike race in Italy on tv. I know it was just a reprint, but I had been waiting so long for the Sankey books, that was my favorite. Second would be All In by Allan Ackerman. He is one of my favorites. Thanks for such a great episode!

[@EruditeMagic]

You bet, Scott! And thank you for sharing your faves 👍

[@georgeyounts9391]

Nothing but Kudos on another great review.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, George!

[@dougdern-attorney]

Last night I watched both reviews you did on the theater of the mind. You really have craved out a niche. I do like it best when you do just book reviews

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Doug. Got to mix it up for all the people who like the other stuff 🤷

[@pellekravik]

Great video! Any chance you will review Modular Card Magic by Tobias Hudson? Seems it is a BBM exclusive.

[@EruditeMagic]

Unlikely since I don't own it. Thanks for the comment!

[@RobertBallMagician]

A list of books 👍👍👍👍👍

[@EruditeMagic]

It is indeed

[@michaeljoseph3475]

Congrats Erudite Magic, hope your channel goes on for a long time. I have Barrie's set and the Encyclopedia of Mentalism sealed. Which one do you recommend me unsealing first if I were to start studying mentalism? ... or does it matter ?

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks! I don't think I'm familiar with the Encyclopedia of Mentalism. 🤔 Is that 13 Steps? If so, I would start there

[@michaeljoseph3475]

​@@EruditeMagic The book spine and center of front cover say "Encyclopedia of Mentalism and Mentalists" . Also on the front cover on the bottom left says " 13 steps to Mentalism by Corinda" . I purchased this on Vanishing Inc.

[@EruditeMagic]

Sounds like a new cover to the old book

[@RDGTEX]

I don't comment enough, and I don't have the opportunity to read as much as I would like, but the books I have added to my collection over the last year are mostly books you have discussed over the past four years. Have you covered or do you plan to cover "The Best of All Worlds"? I recently purchased it and have not read it yet. Of all the card tricks I have performed, the Out of This World premise has always gotten the strongest reactions, especially when presented as a connection between the magician, the participant, and the cards. Also, I have been meaning to mention this since you brought it up in March. As much as you have an aversion to the word "spectator," I have an aversion to any time I read the phrase "unbiased opinion," which far too many magicians use online these days to stress the honesty of the commentary. Regardless of the sincerity or validity of their opinions, it has one meaning to me: "Press stop now!" Words matter, in my very biased opinion. I often find myself second-guessing whether my perspective on things is a good one, and I can always count on the things you say and do on this channel to provide a guiding light. Thank you for your channel and the work you put into it. You are among the magicians online who make the world a better place.

[@EruditeMagic]

Too kind, Rudy! Thanks for sharing. I love OOTW, But I have two versions I already perform, so I have not dived deeply into that book.

[@aussiemagik]

Off the wall question... where'd you get the shirt, or what brand is it?

[@EruditeMagic]

Maybe I should take the offers to be a brand ambassador more seriously...🤣 The brand is Cremieux

[@andyw10]

Did you notice 3 of the books are magicians from the U.K.

[@EruditeMagic]

Only 2 of the official 4 😉

[@andyw10]

Yes but being from the U.K. I’m going to say 3. Ha ha Great channel.

[@cid9992002]

I’ve asked this question with other magicians and I think I can predict your answer (and not because I’m a mentalist), but do you read books from cover to cover or do you read parts of a book (aka skim through the book and read through what resonates with you)…I find some books I can read cover to cover, but I usually will get obsessed with a trick and look up all the versions out there that exist and spend my time focusing that way. I hope that makes sense🤔

[@EruditeMagic]

I typically read cover to cover since I'm going to review the book, but that doesn't mean that every trick against the same level of cover to cover reading 🤣

[@cid9992002]

I appreciate the response. I always thought about this question because on whatever level I feel like I’m missing out on some level and I posted on the cafe and Harry Lorayne commented by saying “if you don’t read the whole book don’t read the book”…I’m paraphrasing. This perplexed me and than I thought about economics. The law of diminishing returns” and “opportunity cost”. I have found solace in saying to myself that I won’t be able to read everything and to make time for the stuff that will have the greatest impact in my life. Congrats on the 4 years…loving the content👍🏻

[@EruditeMagic]

You bet, and thanks for the support

[@jonahberg9280]

What are your favourite Simon aronson books

[@tommarquette9706]

Read on this minute Approach

[@EruditeMagic]

Not sure I follow - what do you mean?

[@jethro1963]

"Kenneth, what is the frequency?"