Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic: 50th Anniversary Edition

Magic makes for an interesting and rewarding career. It also makes for a great hobby. Do you sincerely want to learn Magic? Then this is the book for you because it is a complete course in Magic, covering all of the classic forms and effects, and is also full of sage wisdom on how to become a first-rate, professional magician. The author, Mark Wilson, began his remarkable career as a teenager and, along with his wife Nani Darnell, became one of the greatest magicians to have ever performed. Perhaps the Wilson's single greatest contribution to the art was convincing television networks (in the 1950s!) that Magic could be televised and enjoyed at home. Ever see Copperfield, Blaine, or Penn and Teller perform on television? Then be certain to thank Mark and Nani. In fact, Mark still teaches aspiring professionals, in person, at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. You couldn't ask for a better teacher. This book is well written, with easy to understand drawings and photographs. Early parts of most chapters cover easy to master or 'self-working' tricks to get you started and the latter parts of each chapter present more complex effects. There are even plans for full scale stage effects and sections related to presentation and professionalism to round out the course. Want testimonials from experts? There are literally dozens of highly respected, professional magicians who credit this book with inspiring and jump-starting their careers. Now you, too, can join them.

An interesting book.

I first got the Mark Wilson Course in Magic back in the mid-70s. I had gotten some of the basic magic kits and wanted to learn more about how to do more impressive illusions (tricks.) This book is THE bible on learning about magic. There are card tricks, rope tricks, coin tricks, silk tricks, silk and coin tricks and even how to build some of your own stage illusions. It shows you not only how to do various tricks but how to handle various items and it teaches you various principles of magic. It breaks down everything into effect (what it will look like,) secret (what makes it work) and presentation (a step-by-step guide on how to do it with illustrations.) When I started performing as a kid at backyard carnivals and talent shows, most of my routine came from this book. 35 years later it still has many of my better illusions. My first book is gone ("borrowed" by someone who didn't return it) and I have bought several different copies, some given as gifts to new magic students. You want a book to learn about magic, this is the first book you will want to buy.

I was very eager and excited to get my hands on this popular and well received book and let me tell you it does live up to the hype. It is an excellent book on Magic that is recommended highly by students and experts alike in the Magic community. However the Amazon shipping warehouse that sent this to me, in their infinite wisdom, thought it best to send a large paperback tome like this without a box or any kind of padding and protection. They stuck this in a thin white plastic shipping bag and when it was delivered, surprise, surprise, it arrived warped and with pages inside, folded and creased. They didn't even use a shipping pouch with bubble wrap like they do with smaller books, but a book this size which is in league with a yellow pages phone book, should have been in a cardboard box or sleeve to protect it from the kind of damage it had incurred . I ended up putting it under a large stack of books for a few days and flipped it over every other day just to correct the warping. The folded and creased pages at the back of the book still remain that way.

Very insightful

I owned this volume way back when I first started in magic, it was referred to me by a friend who owns a magic shop and he said once you read this and try some of the tricks it would be a really good start, the tricks that are within its pages, some are very easy and some are even stage illusions, many are now dated but I have found that with some rehashed patter and some updated workings these tricks are timeless, I own the Tarbel volumes and I find myself going back to this more often then not! This is well worth the price if you are serious about magic and remember to keep all that you learn to yourself and keep magic as much fun as it has always been...

The illustrations which accompany the written instructions are well done and they really do help. The written instructions are detailed but not confusing. There are a wide variety of tricks in this book, which will be good for any kind of show. The writer goes into a good amount of detail about different types of cards, preparation for certain tricks and patter, which is just as important as the trick itself. Overall, this is an excellent book. I particularly liked the section on card terms and different card techniques. They furthered my comprehension on the Double Lift, for example.

Me encantó

It's called bible for magic. Truly recommended. It has everything ranging from simple to complicated. It justifies the price. Go for it.

🔹 Clear Instructions: The book does an excellent job of breaking down tricks step-by-step, making them easy to follow. It’s perfect for beginners but still offers valuable insights for more experienced magicians. 🔹 Wide Range of Tricks: From card tricks to stage illusions, this book covers it all. There’s something for everyone, no matter what type of magic you’re into. 🔹 Great for Learning: The explanations are simple and thorough, and the accompanying illustrations help you visualize each move. It’s not just about learning tricks, but also understanding the techniques behind them. 🔹 Well-Structured: The book is organized in a way that makes it easy to progress, starting with basic tricks and gradually moving to more advanced techniques. 💡Whether you're a beginner or want to refine your skills, this book is a goldmine for anyone interested in learning magic! 🃏✨

Lo regale a mi hija y esta muy feliz con su libro ya q no solo enseña trucos sino también técnica. Muy bueno lo recomiendo mucho.

I was very please with the seller. The book came in great time, and was very clean. I had bought the book, in hardcover version, about five years ago. I had to sell it when I moved out of the country, because it was too heavy. Now that I have the paperback, I am happy again! The illustrations in this book are very clear, and the instructions are, also. It has a lot of basic illusions for the budding mage, so it makes a good gift for young and old. There is a lot of stuff to absorb, and it is all the rudimentary stuff. A LOT of card magic, so if you are looking for that, you have the right book. Coin, rope, and handkerchief/silk magic are not well represented, but it does have a solid cup and balls routine. The last third of the book details how to make and perform the better-known "stage magic" illusions. It is a good starter book, all around, and if you are going to buy only one book, buy this one, because you will be able to follow the directions without much problem.

É um Livro muito bom. Repleto de Ilustrações. Ideal para Mágicos Profissionais e Amadores. O Livro tem um bom tamanho.