Top 5 Books to Improve Your Magic

[@EruditeMagic]

👴🏼 Looking for a Magic Mentor? ▶ kzbin.info/www/bejne/opyxY6uol9ODp6s

[@pietrocavallo8060]

It's so good to see a video from you every Sunday, Jeff! Ps: The Book of Wonders 1&2 are another essential one to be a better magician, in my opinion it goes directly to number 1.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Pietro! 🙏

[@Davlavi]

Great review. Thanks.

[@sashamagician]

Definitely feel like Henning Nelms is missing! 😘

[@EruditeMagic]

He was a consideration! Thanks for mentioning him here 👍

[@jethro1963]

You beat me to it, Magic and Showmanship is a classic.

[@albertwestbrook4813]

I love how Nelms takes a single trick, and in successive chapters adds magical and theatrical know-how discussed to build it into a more entertaining and mysterious effect.

[@EruditeMagic]

@albertwestbrook4813 it is a great approach!

[@nancyanderson5320]

Most definitely Eugene Burger Mastering the Art of magic followed by Jami Ian Swiss trilogy his research and philosophy about creative work is great. Great top 5 list.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Nancy, and thanks for sharing some of your favorites!

[@d1g1m1]

Thank you - Great video with some amazing books & advice… 🙏😃🎩

[@EruditeMagic]

So glad you like it!

[@dilley_esq]

As a “non-practitioner” and big time follower of your channel, have you considered making a “Top” video of the history of magic, the best magicians, etc? Thanks!

[@EruditeMagic]

I have not, but I would consider some version of this that ties in with books. Maybe "the top five most erudite magicians from history" 🤷😄 Thanks for the suggestion!

[@dilley_esq]

@@EruditeMagic yea, that’s what I meant. Books on the subject. Thanks!

[@twatmunro]

They're all good books, but Scripting Magic and Maximum Entertainment are both really readable as well. I'm not sure if this is a subjective thing or not, but Ortiz and Burger always seemed a bit dull to me. I'd start reading but my mind would soon be wandering. Both Weber and McCabe were really compelling reads to me. Not sure if it's the actual writing, the organization of material, the subjects and themes but both were books I just read straight through without getting bored. They're probably out of print now, but Derren Brown's two early books, Absolute Magic and Pure Effect make solid contributions to the 'improving your magic' literature. Written at the start of his career, it's both a strength in that it makes him bold and ambitious in his effort to produce a high quality experience for his audience, but he lacks that 'worker' experience you get from someone who's been doing it for donkeys years. They're probably long out of print now anyway, but I liked both books. Also Tommy Wonder's Books of Wonder. While his books lean more towards "theory" than the kind of practical straightforward advice you'll find in Weber or McCabe, I'm a big fan of Jamy Ian Swiss's books. While he's not giving you a painting-by-numbers plan on how to improve your performances, he's engaging with the same issues -- albeit on a more abstract/less concrete level. I know he's like Marmite (in that people either love him or hate him) but I've always found him extremely readable and even when you disagree with him, his arguments are always well supported and reasoned.

[@georgeyounts9391]

Loving your 1st paragraph and don't be afraid to be blunt ;)

[@EruditeMagic]

Great list, and an interesting thought about magic being "readable." I think this is why Harry Loryane was so popular - he's so doggone readable.

[@jybmagic3757]

The magic of ascaneo is one book which can make you a better magician in my opinion

[@EruditeMagic]

Yup!

[@luis_sirgado]

Of the books that were presented strong magic, maximum entertainment and scripting Magic are my favorites. Another one that I also like and that I think should be part of the list is: Ascanio- The Structural conception of magic .

[@EruditeMagic]

That's another great suggestion!

Probably you won't believe me, but I was going through some Black Friday sales on Vanishing inc, and I saw Scripting Magic 1 and 2, then I saw this video and thought maybe you''ll mention these books, and it was in the first place, so now I'm definitely going to buy that one! Thanks!

[@EruditeMagic]

I believe you - enjoy!!

[@RobertBallMagician]

This was a fantastic video and all wonderful books. Awesomeness 🤜🤛🤗🤘🤘🤘😊👍👍👍

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Robert!!

[@XavierEMagic]

Great video, Jeff. I would add Five Points of Magic by Tamariz at least as an honorable mention or prerequisite. Yeah, it's not really about scripting, but it's about communicating effectively, which is just as important. Because anyone can read a script, but to communicate is just as crucial. I know Five Points is 1 of 3 books, but out of the 3, it's the most "must read". It's also insanely affordable for just that book, which is a welcomed bonus. Nonetheless, awesome video, thank u Jeff!

[@EruditeMagic]

Another good suggestion, Xavier - thanks for commenting!

[@AnthonyHernandezIllusions]

Derren Brown Books

[@EruditeMagic]

Do you have a specific one in mind? I reviewed Fellow Travellers and really liked it, but I don't think it quite makes the top 5

[@AnthonyHernandezIllusions]

Pure Effect. I remember just not wanting this book to end. I think I read some chapters twice right after I read the chapter!

[@RDGTEX]

I recently watched your interview with Carisa Hendrix and found it very intriguing. I was fascinated by how she used books, even those she didn't particularly like, to help define her characterizations, understand deception, and master the disciplines required for success in the art of magic. It's an approach I've never really taken. Like many magicians, my presence in magic has been shaped more by my specific preferences and personal tastes. The flow I've established between one effect and another is how I craft my performance. However, I've decided to take a new step in my approach, and I have both Scripting Magic books on order. Initially, I planned to save up and purchase them from Don's Magic & Books, but Vanishing Inc. put both books on sale for Black Friday at a bargain too good to pass up.

[@EruditeMagic]

What great insight! Hope you benefit from the books 👍

[@ThomasDixonMagic]

And Ascanio :(? Strong Magic

[@EruditeMagic]

Which Ascanio? And what makes it better in your mind?

[@ThomasDixonMagic]

Ascanio is a map of how magic works (structure), and you can use this map to look at any trick and create better magic. Strong magic is just a compilation of ideas (some of them contradictory). He explains it better than I do (with English subtitles) kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6qtZpqFrbCqetEsi=o0musbOPzOB_4miG

[@ThomasDixonMagic]

​@@EruditeMagicthe first Ascanio, of course, the structural conception of magic.

[@kennomagic]

I devote one shelf of magic library to Just these kinds of books: presentational-theatrical, theory, scripting...

[@EruditeMagic]

That's awesome! 👏

[@shameersalim]

Love this video. I also dig Setting the Stage by Eric Samuels, which is a collection of his tried and tested routines.

[@EruditeMagic]

I've heard of this one, but never had the pleasure of reading it! Thanks for the kind words, Shameer! 🙏

[@georgeyounts9391]

My thoughts. Maxium Enertainment 2.0 a must have! Excellent, clear and really just gets to the point! Strong Magic by DO? Boring. Bad writing. Wanders. Confusing. He was probably a great magician but flunk expository writing. Eugene's book. All right but not needed. Just watch him perform and analyze what makes him good and you got his book. The scripting book, while pricey is a good one to buy because to become a better script writer you need to read scripts. Duh? Showmanship for Magicians? Not really that good. Save your money. So yeah. 2 of the 5 are worth it. The rest is overkill. And that is imho. Thanks again for a great post :)

[@EruditeMagic]

So where are your top 5 for us to judge in our humble opinions? 😉

[@georgeyounts9391]

Only Top 2. Use one book or two and use them well and you will succeed. 5 is too many. My top 2 are ME 2.0 by K.Webber & then I guess the Scripting Magic Book but only one of them. @@EruditeMagic

[@twatmunro]

I've just finished commenting up thread, and while I wasn't quite as blunt as you are, I share your views re. Ortiz and Burger.

[@jonathannelson7584]

Amazing video! I've watched some of your earlier videos and I've got to say, the production value has become amazing. And you were slightly awkward in front of the camera, now it seems you're born to do this! Anyway, I was wondering, when it comes to Scripting Magic, do the books teach you the actual tricks? I get that the true value lies in learning how to script, but to me it seems that it would be hard to fully understand it if you're not farmiliar with the trick in question...

[@EruditeMagic]

You're so kind - thank you! And yes, my progress should give hope to anyone...if you put in the work, you'll see the results. Just stick with it, getting a little better each time. It will come. As far as Scripting Magic, yes, most of the effects teach the method. I can't say that it's 100% of the effects, but it's a ton. Hope that helps!

[@jonathannelson7584]

@@EruditeMagic Thanks! 🙏 And yes, it definitely helps!

[@robmagic1018]

Maximum Entertainment is a great book a friend lent it to me and i could not out it down. The Show Doctor by Jeff Mcbride is great for making you a better magician as well I found

[@EruditeMagic]

Haven't read McBride's book, but I've heard good things...

[@robmagic1018]

@@EruditeMagic yeah very good maybe one to put on your channel 😆

[@kalvheps5973]

Excellent topic.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks, Kalvin!

[@kennomagic]

Very good summary and Almost impossible to only list 5 books!! Runners up? Books of Wonder, Designing Miracles and Magic by Design.

[@EruditeMagic]

Great choices! 🙌