Publisher Atheneum, 1967

first edition

A survey of the art of conjuring for entertainment--when the plausible is converted by sleight of hand into a performance that tricks the eye and pleases the senses. Outlines some famous acts of well known magicians.

3 Magic and Conjuring

9 Deception and Magic

15 The Methods of Deception

20 Illusions

28 Egypt and Magic

33 Greece and Rome

38 Early Hocus Pocus

43 Cagliostro and Pinetti

51 Robert Houdin

61 Maskelyne and Devant

68 Hermann Hoffmann, and Bautier

75 Kellar and Thurston

81 Houdini Escapes

87 Robinson as Chung Ling Soo

93 Blackstone

100 The Inventive Geniuses

109 Sleight of Hand and Cardini

115 Mental Magic

122 John Scarne

127 Mulholland and Tarbell

132 Television

135 Magic Today

140 Invent Your Own Magic

148 Misdirection

156 Preparation

161 Acting

166 Dexterity

170 Decorative Sleights

185 Sleight of Hand

194 Card Sleights

201 Cups and Balls

211 Bibliography