In Extending Magic Beyond Credibility, John Booth (who really knows his stuff after more than 70 years in the game) takes a stroll down memory lane, tackling some of magic’s most baffling mysteries, cheeky questions, and larger-than-life characters.
From jaw-dropping classics like Robert-Houdin's Light & Heavy Chest and the infamous Indian Rope Trick to the origins of dove magic, ventriloquism, and those quirky automata, this book is the quintessential Booth mix of juicy secrets, fascinating biographies, philosophical musings, and a sprinkle of romantic history.
Whether you’re a history buff or just someone who gets a kick out of the art and its myriad quirks, Extending Magic Beyond Credibility promises more than just a dusty old history lesson. It’s a riveting read that might just keep you up at night, penned by a chap who’s not only studied the subject but has lived it to boot.
272 pages, photo-illustrated.
Contents:
Foreword by Silvan of Rome
Preface
WAKE-UP MAGIC!
Magic that Jolts Audiences: Richiardi Jr.
Kevin James: Master of Shock Magic
Todd Robbins: The Sideshow World
Sylvester the Jester: The Self-Mayhem Principle
HARRY HOUDINI AND MAX MALINI
Revelations about "Houdini's Hollywood Estate"
Malini and His Violin
FOUR BRIEF PIECES TO PONDER OR ENJOY
Aloha: Final Tribute to Dai Vernon
Do Morality or Ideology Affect Art in Magic?
That FATAL Signet Ring: A Short, Short Story
Book Reviews: The Achilles Heel of Magazines
Reflection 1: Desiderata Reflection 2
BRILLIANT MAGIC WITH BEAUTIFUL BIRDS
Centuries of Development Unfolded
A STAR AMONG STARS
Thurston: A Truly Great Magazine
Magic's Most Famous Waltz: The Zenda
Memorable Music for Master Magicians
AVERTING CATASTROPHE: MAGIC AND POLITICS
The Legendary Robert-Houdin Light and Heavy Chest Examined
FASCINATING OPPORTUNITIES IN VENTRILOQUISM
Ventriloquial Stunts: From Pactolus to Today
The Illusion of Voice Throwing
Dolls That Smoke: Bodiless Heads that Talk
New Era Ventriloquism: The Hamills
THE PUPPETRY BRANCH OF WIZARDRY
Puppetry Across the Spectrum
The Duck that Made John Salisse Famous
His Left Hand is His Fortune
AUTOMATA
Machines that "Think" and Perform Like Humans and Birds
THE GREAT INDIAN ROPE TRICK
Where, When and How the Reports Began
My Experiences in India and Tibet Searching for A Rope Miracle
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