The Wizard's Legacy: A Tale of Real Magic

The Wizard's Legacy is a book designed to entertain and provoke thoughts at the same time. The book is in two parts. The first focuses on a magical summer when a 13-year-old Craig Karges spends time with his enigmatic great-uncle Alain Doc DeLyle. "Doc" is a true character. A former vaudevillian, fortune teller and a wonderful storyteller, he teaches the boy the finer points of stage magic, mind reading and the great mysteries of life. In the second half of the book, the boy has now become a man and is an accomplished entertainer, mentalist and magician. The adult Karges finds a series of journals written by his long dead uncle and rediscovers the magic that was and is Alain Doc DeLyle. This part of the book recounts Doc's early years as told through his writings with a number of very inspirational tales of Doc working with various clients to help them overcome their fears and problems. The book then comes full circle as it is revealed how the connection between student and teacher was never broken and how the actual book you're reading came to be! There is a lot of "magic" in the book but the real magic spoke about in the subtitle has more to do with the magic of life and the life lessons revealed in the book - not in stage hocus pocus or mysticism. One of the strongest lessons in the book is the reminder that even though loved ones pass from our lives we keep them alive in our hearts and in our minds and that is real magic. I'll close this review with some selected quotes from Doc to give you an idea of his wit and wisdom. "Real magic begins in the mind." "If you really believe in your own magic others will too." "What you think about most of the time you eventually become." "Even the power of affirmation cannot conquer death. But perhaps it can make what life we're appointed worth living." "Anyone can talk to the dead. The trick is getting them to answer back." "Those who firmly deny the existence of ghosts are rarely troubled by them." "I firmly believe that one shouldn't let truth interfere with a good story." "The open mind is like an open window allowing all possibilities to enter."

I'm a skeptic. I've always believed that psychic phenomenon, spiritualists and fortunetelling were all parts of a large pile of BS. Craig Karges "The Wizard's Legacy" about the life of his great uncle Alain "Doc" DeLyle and Alain's effect on 12 year old Craig is a mind expanding yarn.Doc's explanation of his apparent psychic abilities and his attitude toward death and religion are more illuminating than anything else I've read on the subject.I only read this book because I'd seen Craig perform and figured it might be interesting. I fully expected the kind of self serving crap that Kreskin (and Dunninger before him) had published to attempt to build up their reputation.This book is a sincere attempt to help the reader understand a most amazing performer, psychologist, and teacher.This was a surprisingly rewarding book. I had tears running down my cheeks as I read the last chapter.

Dorothy's Dream Is To Get To Kansas, but the people around her are all little Munchkins who have not heard of Kansas and would never consider leaving Munchkinland, so she's off to see the Wizard. Along the way, Dorothy teams up with a Tin Man without a heart, a Scarecrow lacking a brain, and a Lion who lacks courage. The team defeat a wicked witch, flying monkeys, and ugly castle guards. After much hardship and pain they arrive in OZ, only to realize they already posses the things they sought. The Wizard affirms the bravery of the Lion with a medal, the intellect of the Scarecrow with a diploma, and the heart of the Tin Man with a clock. But what about Dorothy and Kansas? Dorothy has been wearing the ruby red slippers all along. She simply doesn't know how to use them. The secret to accomplishing her dreams says the Wizard, is to concentrate on it with all her might while saying the right words. Voila! Kansas. Craig's Wizard Legacy is very much like the idea presented above. Your belief in the "power of the mind" will create your own ruby red slippers. The Wizard book was a thoroughly delightful read, something which I will keep to, when and if, pass on to my grandchildren when they are ready to discover the magic within. The writing style was reminiscent of the early book "The One Minute Manager" which presents a story line of life lessons with a series of parables aimed at specific points. Many great patter lines and presentational ideas are contained within. I join with the others who have reviewed the book by highly recommending it for its entertainment, ideas, and the "real magic" it presents. Craig and Jon have produced a great read.Robert

As a part-time professional magician and performer, I loved this book for its attention to historical detail and Mr. Karges' real love for his art. But my enjoyment of the book doesn't stop there.It is truly a wonderful book. It is full of joy, of clarity, and a love for life so strong and enduring that it almost glows. He captures in a small yet meaningful way what it means to love, and be loved, by another... what it means to find a path in life that gives others, as well as yourself, great happiness... and what it means to leave a legacy for others in the future.In short - buy this book. You won't regret it.

A truly GREAT book to inspire and release the imaginations of all whom read it, a highly recommended book...Signed,Riley G Matthews JrActor - Stuntman (SAG & AFTRA)