Our Magic

Our Magic is a comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of stage magic, written by two prominent British magicians in 1911. The book divides magic into three major sections: The Art in Magic, The Theory of Magic, and The Practice of Magic. The first section establishes magic as a legitimate performing art and outlines key principles of theatrical presentation. The second section breaks down the psychological and mechanical foundations that make illusions work, including misdirection, timing, and preparation. The final section provides detailed instructions for specific effects and routines, with insights drawn from the authors' professional experiences. Throughout the text, Maskelyne and Devant include historical references and observations about magic's role in entertainment. The book represents an early attempt to elevate magic from mere trickery to a respectable art form, emphasizing the performer's responsibility to audiences and the craft itself. Its influence on magic theory and performance standards continues to resonate in modern entertainment.

Readers appreciate this book's detailed examination of magic theory and philosophy, though some find the writing style dense and dated. Magic enthusiasts value Part 1's theoretical discussions about what makes magic effective, while practitioners focus on the technical information in Parts 2-3. Likes: - Deep analysis of magic's psychological elements - Structured approach to categorizing effects - Historical perspective on early 20th century magic Dislikes: - Archaic, verbose language - Repetitive sections - Limited practical instruction compared to theory Several reviewers note the book requires multiple readings to fully grasp. One reader commented: "The theoretical section makes you think deeply about the 'why' behind effects." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (13 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11 ratings) Magic forums consistently rate it 8-9/10 in historical importance but 6-7/10 for modern readability.

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Magic and Meaning by Eugene Burger , Robert E. Neale Examines the philosophical and symbolic elements of magic performance through essays on theatrical theory and practice.

Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz Presents a systematic approach to the construction and presentation of close-up magic effects based on psychological principles.

🎭 Published in 1911, "Our Magic" was one of the first books to deeply explore both the theory and practice of stage magic, dividing the content into distinct philosophical and technical sections. ✨ Nevil Maskelyne came from three generations of famous magicians and served as the owner-operator of London's Egyptian Hall, known as "England's Home of Mystery" from 1873 to 1905. 🎪 David Devant was the first president of The Magic Circle, a prestigious organization for magicians founded in 1905 that continues to operate today. 🎩 The book pioneered the concept of "entertaining deception" and argued that magic should be considered a legitimate theatrical art form rather than mere trickery. 🌟 Many principles outlined in "Our Magic" about misdirection and theatrical presentation are still taught in modern magic schools and referenced by contemporary performers like David Copperfield and Penn & Teller.