How to do Magic Tricks
by Nicholas Einhorn

Einhorn teaches 120 tricks in 256 pages. Beginning with an interesting, though brief, history of magic, the remainder of his book is devoted almost entirely to impromptu and close-up magic with cards, matches, strings, ropes, silks, thimbles, paper, money, and items from the dinner table.

All but a dozen or so of the tricks can be done without gimmicks or fakes using items that can be carried in your pocket or that you have at hand. When gimmicks or fakes are required, Einhorn teaches his readers how to make them. No expensive purchases are necessary.

Included in the book is the trick that fooled Houdini when he saw it performed way back in the 1920s. A watch is borrowed from a spectator and placed under the center of a handkerchief. Several people are asked to reach underneath to verify that the watch is indeed still there. The magician then makes a magical gesture and whips the handkerchief away, showing that the watch is gone!

Magic is universally recognized as a wonderful form of entertainment, both as a hobby and a professional art form. This book reveals the secrets of a wide range of tricks and explains how to achieve a polished performance, with tips and advice on planning, patter, diversion, movements, rehearsing, and creating your own performance style.
The book opens with an introduction to the most important events and names in magic's rich history, including comedy and close-up magicians, illusionists and television magicians.
Then the heart of the book is the detailed revelation of 120 tricks, under the seven major magic categories:

Card Magic:
The scope for performing tricks with cards is enormous. This chapter explains how to grip, shuffle and control cards, how to force cards, do self-working tricks and perform advanced card flourishes.

Dinner Table Magic:
Items found on the dinner table can be used to entertain and amaze your guests. The tricks in this chapter focus on glasses, napkins, cutlery, straws, cups and sugar cubes.

Match Magic:
The shape and size of matches make them ideal for creating optical illusions and simple magic tricks. With a box of matches in your pocket, you can perform an entire magic show.

String, Cord and Rope Magic:
The cut and restored rope effect is a staple of the magician's repertoire. This chapter shows how to do this and other illusions such as making a knot disappear at will.

Mind Magic:
Your audiences will believe that you have psychic powers with the routines in this chapter. There are many ways of creating the impression of mind-reading and thought transference.

Silk, Thimble and Paper Magic:
Magic tricks using handkerchiefs and small objects have always been popular. This chapter shows how to do a variety of sleights of hand with these everyday props.

Money Magic:
Everyone enjoys watching money appear out of thin air. Once you have learnt basic techniques such as palming and vanishing, there are many tricks to perform with both coins and banknotes.

This book is beautifully illustrated with 1,100 full color photographs. There is an elaborate table of contents in front and a detailed index in back, along with a brief glossary and a helpful international list of magic shops with their street addresses and Internet URLs, but no bibliography. Einhorn's book contains much of value for the budding magician from junior high age on up. More seasoned magicians, whether amateur or professional, will also find items in this book which can be added to their repertoire.

Price £5.99