Jim Steinmeyer

Jim Steinmeyer is an American illusion designer, historian of magic, and author known for creating iconic illusions for leading magicians including David Copperfield, Doug Henning, and Siegfried & Roy. Since the 1980s he has developed numerous stage illusions that have become modern classics in magic. As a historian and writer, Steinmeyer has authored multiple books exploring the art of magic and its notable figures. His works include "Hiding the Elephant" which examines the golden age of magic, and "The Last Greatest Magician in the World" chronicling Howard Thurston's life. He is particularly recognized for uncovering previously unknown aspects of magic history through detailed research. Beyond stage illusions, Steinmeyer has worked as a creative consultant for various theatrical productions including Mary Poppins on Broadway and several Orson Welles projects. His deep technical knowledge combined with historical expertise has made him a leading authority on both the practical and theoretical aspects of magical entertainment. Working from Los Angeles, Steinmeyer continues to innovate in magical design while documenting the art form's rich history through his writing and research. He serves as a consultant to the Magic Castle in Hollywood and regularly contributes to magic publications.

Readers consistently praise Steinmeyer's deep research and ability to make magic history engaging. His technical expertise comes through clearly while remaining accessible to non-magicians. What readers liked: - Clear, detailed explanations of complex illusions - Engaging narrative style that brings historical figures to life - Balance of technical content and storytelling - Thorough citations and primary source research What readers disliked: - Some found the technical descriptions too complex - Occasional repetition between books - A few readers wanted more photos/illustrations Ratings across platforms: Goodreads averages: "Hiding the Elephant" - 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) "Last Greatest Magician" - 4.0/5 (800+ ratings) "Charles Fort" - 3.9/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.5/5 across titles Notable reader comment: "Steinmeyer writes with the precision of a historian and the flair of a storyteller - he makes you care about these forgotten figures while teaching you how the tricks actually worked." - Goodreads review

Art and Artifice (1998) Examines the methods and history of stage illusions created during magic's golden age.

Hiding the Elephant (2003) Chronicles the development of magic's greatest illusions from 1800-1930, focusing on key performers and technological innovations.

The Glorious Deception (2005) Details the life story of William Robinson, who performed as Chung Ling Soo until his death during a bullet catch trick in 1918.

Charles Fort: The Man Who Invented the Supernatural (2008) Biography of Charles Fort, the influential writer who collected accounts of anomalous phenomena and inspired generations of paranormal researchers.

Device and Illusion (2009) Technical examination of stage illusion principles with historical context and detailed diagrams.

The Last Greatest Magician in the World (2011) Biography of Howard Thurston, chronicling his rise from street performer to one of America's most successful magicians.

Who Was Harry Houdini? (2014) Biography for young readers covering the life and career of escape artist Harry Houdini.

The Secret History of Magic (2018) Historical examination of magic's evolution from ancient religious ceremonies to modern entertainment.

John Mulholland wrote books about magic history and technique in the mid-20th century, including several focused on the psychology of deception. His writing style combines technical instruction with historical research, similar to Steinmeyer's approach.

Ricky Jay published works examining the intersection of magic, confidence games, and entertainment history. His books contain detailed research into forgotten performers and unusual acts from the past several centuries.

Edwin Dawes documents the development of magic through historical research and archival materials. His multi-volume series "The Rich Cabinet of Magical Curiosities" reflects similar interests to Steinmeyer in uncovering lost secrets and forgotten innovators.

Peter Lamont analyzes the cultural and social impact of magic through academic research and historical investigation. His work examines how magic performances influenced society and science, particularly in the Victorian era.

Max Maven writes about mentalism and psychological aspects of performance while exploring the historical roots of various effects. His publications combine technical instruction with historical context about the development of specific tricks and techniques.