John Booth's Extending Magic Beyond Credibility is his thirteenth (and dare we say, finest) offering in the realm of magic literature. With over 70 years of dancing with the conjuring arts, Booth takes us on a wild ride through the most perplexing mysteries, curious queries, and captivating characters that have shaped our craft.
From the legendary Robert-Houdin's Light & Heavy Chest to the mystique of the Indian Rope Trick, this tome is packed with Booth's signature blend of secrets, biography, philosophy, and a dash of romantic escapism. You won’t just find dry historical accounts; you’ll be diving headfirst into the vibrant tapestry of magic’s past.
Whether you’re a historian of the bizarre or just someone enamored by the many layers of our art, Extending Magic Beyond Credibility is a page-turner that’s hard to put down. Written by a guy who not only studied the subject but also lived it, you'll find his insights both refreshing and entertaining.
272 pages, photo-illustrated, because what’s magic without a little eye candy?
Contents:
Foreword by Silvan of Rome
Preface
WAKE-UP MAGIC!
1. Magic that Jolts Audiences: Richiardi Jr.
2. Kevin James: Master of Shock Magic
3. Todd Robbins: The Sideshow World
4. Sylvester the Jester: The Self-Mayhem Principle
HARRY HOUDINI AND MAX MALINI
5. Revelations about "Houdini's Hollywood Estate"
6. Malini and His Violin
FOUR BRIEF PIECES TO PONDER OR ENJOY
7. Aloha: Final Tribute to Dai Vernon
8. Do Morality or Ideology Affect Art in Magic?
9. That FATAL Signet Ring: A Short, Short Story
10. Book Reviews: The Achilles Heel of Magazines
Reflection 1: Desiderata
Reflection 2
BRILLIANT MAGIC WITH BEAUTIFUL BIRDS
11. Centuries of Development Unfolded
A STAR AMONG STARS
12. Thurston: A Truly Great Magazine
13. Magic's Most Famous Waltz: The Zenda
14. Memorable Music for Master Magicians
AVERTING CATASTROPHE: MAGIC AND POLITICS
15. The Legendary Robert-Houdin Light and Heavy Chest Examined
FASCINATING OPPORTUNITIES IN VENTRILOQUISM
16. Ventriloquial Stunts: From Pactolus to Today
17. The Illusion of Voice Throwing
18. Dolls That Smoke: Bodiless Heads that Talk
19. New Era Ventriloquism: The Hamills
THE PUPPETRY BRANCH OF WIZARDRY
20. Puppetry Across the Spectrum
21. The Duck that Made John Salisse Famous
22. His Left Hand is His Fortune
AUTOMATA
23. Machines that "Think" and Perform Like Humans and Birds
THE GREAT INDIAN ROPE TRICK
24. Where, When and How the Reports Began
25. My Experiences in India and Tibet Searching for A Rope Miracle
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