Editorial Content for Abracadabra: The Story of Magic Through The Ages
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Magic. The word conjures up so many images: rabbits being pulled from empty hats, things disappearing into thin air and people being sawed in half. Just about everyone likes magic, don’t they? I know I do.
Author HP Newquist tells the story of magic in eight chapters, starting with the oracles of ancient Egyptand ending with modern day magicians like Criss Angel. At the end of each chapter, he includes secrets about eight different magic tricks. He provides step-by-step, illustrated instructions for some of them, like Cups and Balls, where you make it look like three balls pass through three solid cups. I really liked these examples, although it felt a bit like cheating to learn how the tricks were done! He ends the book with an Epilogue, an Author’s Note, Research Recommendations and an Acknowledgements page.
It’s obvious the author did his homework.
Because I like magic and always wondered how some magic tricks are performed, I was happy to have the opportunity to review this book. It’s obvious the author did his homework as he does a thorough job explaining the history of magic. He mentioned some magicians I wasn’t familiar with, including Buchinger, who was born in Germanyin 1674 with no arms and no legs and went on become a well-known magician in his time. He is still considered one of the all-time great magicians.
I recommend this book to those who are intrigued by magic and magicians and for all who like history and non-fiction. Perhaps it will inspire some young people to explore the world of magic.
Teaser
In this nonfiction narrative of magic through the ages, HP Newquist explains how the world's most famous tricks were created. From the oracles of ancient Egypt and the wizards of medieval Europe on to the exploits of Houdini and modern practitioners like Criss Angel, this book unlocks the secrets behind centuries of magic and illusion.
Promo
In this nonfiction narrative of magic through the ages, HP Newquist explains how the world's most famous tricks were created. From the oracles of ancient Egypt and the wizards of medieval Europe on to the exploits of Houdini and modern practitioners like Criss Angel, this book unlocks the secrets behind centuries of magic and illusion.
About the Book
Magic is a word we use to describe something amazing, awe-inspiring or spectacular. Truly great magic makes us believe in things we know can't be real. In the hands of the greatest magicians, even a simple card trick can become truly wondrous.
Now, in this nonfiction narrative of magic through the ages, HP Newquist explains how the world's most famous tricks were created. From the oracles of ancient Egypt and the wizards of medieval Europe on to the exploits of Houdini and modern practitioners like Criss Angel, this book unlocks the secrets behind centuries of magic and illusion.
Fully illustrated and including step-by-step instructions for eight classic magic tricks, this book will have middle-grade readers spellbound.
