Mark Wilson's Cyclopedia Of Magic: A Complete Course

I recommend without hesitation this book for beginners or intermediates alike. It contains card tricks, sponge balls, cups and balls and even some stage illusions that you might find suitable with a little creativity or modification. It has card tricks that are pretty much already 'public knolwedge' to layman, but you might use them too using the way Mark Wilson teaches you to present them. However, there are also some advanced sleights on cards that beginners can learn easily because of the illustrations and the amazingly, EASY to understand text. Mark Wilson's Cylopedia of Magic. 5 out of 5.

I would say, for those seriously interested in magic, you should skip this abbridgement and get Mark Wilson's Complete Course instead, but for such a low price ($10 for the paperback, not to be confused with the expanded hard-bound edition), this book actually proves to be the best idea for those interested in magic but still testing the water before jumping in. While some neat classics have been left out, there is still plenty to keep a beginner busy for months or even years! And none of the lame tricks that rely more on good patter than sleight of hand--these are real magic tricks. I haven't seen as good a book anywhere near this price.

This is a small but very thick book, rather it was larger and thinner (be easier to handle). That being said, this is definitely THE BOOK you should get. It takes you through close-up magic through stage magic. Effects, secrets and pre-perations, how to perform all the tricks in a simple step-by-step process with diagrams, and finish's up with comments and suggestions. A quick note: if you get this book, do not get his other book "Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic". You only need one of these two, the have almost the exact same information.

A small but thick book, I would say. However, if you get this book, do not get his other book "Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic" and vice versa. You see, almost all the content in this book can be found in the other mentioned book. Other than that, this is definitely THE BOOK you should get.

This is, truly, an encyclopedia of magic effects. Virtually all types of magic effects are covered in a systematic and comprehensive manner. Eleven chapters cover card magic and describe all the important sleights. Subsequent chapters cover money magic, rope magic, silk magic, impromptu magic, mental effects, sponge balls, and cups and balls. The final chapter describes large stage illusions that can be built at home. Frequently, after a sleight or trick is described, there follows a paragraph titled "Comments and Suggestions" which points out important ideas to remember. There is a wealth of good information contained in these small paragraphs. The text is amply illustrated with numerous drawings that help show the proper method of handling the sleight, move or effect being discussed. Certainly every aspiring magician will find the number and variety of effects sufficient to include many in his or her routine, or even to specialize in one particular area. An important work of warning. Twenty years ago I read a well-known magician's assessment of Mark Wilson. He said, "He's a brilliant buisnessman, a good entertainer, but a poor magician." This book supports that view. The effects and tricks described are great; you could develop a professional act from the material within. But the book fails to help the reader make the transition from someone who does tricks to someone who is a magician. Additional topics like how to practice, how to develop a routine, how to rehearse, how to present the tricks as entertainment, and showmanship would certainly have made this "a complete course in magic". That said, the book is outstanding in what it does do: compile and describe the wonderful variety of magical effects available. This is a very worthwhile addition to your library of magic.