Paul Daniels - My Magic Life: The Autobiography

by Paul Daniels

PAUL DANIELS 1938â€"2016
In his day, Paul Daniels was the most famous magician in the world. His feats of illusion earned him the highest honours the magic world could award, and his astonishing talent earned him a worldwide recognition and admiration that will long outlive him.
Behind the guise of the master magician, the consummate showman, lay a man of great intellect, wit and humour. But his dazzling career sometimes belied a private life that had more than its share of ups and downs â€" from his grim experiences in the army through to the pain and heartbreak of a broken marriage.
In this, his only autobiography, he spoke for the first time about his incredible life and career. Although he was a master illusionist, there are no illusions here among the revelations of the happiness and sadness that filled his life. Among much else, the book speaks honestly about his relationship with his oldest son, and of the new life Paul made with Debbie McGee, his glamorous on-stage assistant.
And then, of course, there was the magic. Whether he was making elephants disappear or performing card tricks with timeless professionalism, his repertoire was extraordinary. Perhaps surprisingly, his book reveals the secrets behind some of his most famous and entertaining performances â€" although he kept plenty up his sleeve, secrets that we shall now perhaps never know.
Paul My Magic Life, is a book to entertain readers, certainly. More than that, however, it will both move and intrigue them as it reveals the secret life of a much loved entertainer who was, in every sense, a magician to the end.

Genres: Magic, Nonfiction

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2016

Reviews

[Adam Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I've learned from reading Paul Daniels-My Magic Life :
1.Paul Daniels did not like doo-gooders or free thinkers.
2. Paul Daniels claimed he's not bitter, even though he spends most of the book displaying how bitter he is.
3.Paul fancied his step sister.
4.Paul was a bit homophobic
5.Paul was a bit racist
6.Paul claimed to be a comedian but clearly didn't understand how comedy works
7.Paul believed everyone should be made to sign up to the army but didn't believe in wars
Rip Paul Daniels. Great book would recommend.

[Jemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Widely disliked, I've long thought Daniels has been painted as much worse than he was. Yes he was a Tory, with many obvious and ill-conceived opinions, so I have mixed feelings about him myself but there is more to him than that. He was the magician of my childhood, both in content and coverage. Which he was excellent at and it should be remembered he featured common scams, like the cup and balls trick, in his shows to educate us to be wary of. He even demonstrated how seances are faked, well before Derren Brown reminded us all.

I also have a personal interest in that he is not only a famous person from my home town, we both began our lives living in the same suburb. Of which he is certainly the most famous child. Yes, he became a Tory but that is quite understandable as he achieved so much, from a very humble beginning. There are always a few, who are outstanding in their field, who make it. Just enough to give some truth to the Tory worldview. Of course, the snag is that there are not enough endeavours for most people to shine and become wealthy. So yes, some of his views are basic and easily disproved but it makes sense for someone like him to have them, he's not being disingenuous like so many Tories are. Also, he does realise things like the NHS needing more money, so it's not entirely one way.

He could also have been a bitter man but doesn't seem to have been. It seems that from before his national service, right through until he finally makes it as a TV regular in the 70s, he had opportunities to make it big but they never came to fruition. He seems to have genuinely enjoyed working normal jobs and doing magic on the side, despite the indications that he had that he was especially talented. The Governor of Hong Kong, Opportunity Knocks and theatre moguls could all have made him a big success earlier and yet he doesn't seem bothered about that. Which is quite commendable.

Of course, his affairs are nothing to be proud of and tbf he acknowledges that. The great surprise though, especially if you went to school with one of his sons and heard the legend, is that his first wife actually left him first.

So even if you like him not a lot, this is a worthwhile autobiog of a thoughtful man and his very varied experiences along the way.

[Salli]

I am conflicted by this book. I appreciate the details and the information. it is not a piece of fluff and has good solid content. In fact its a pretty typical autobiography, adequately written but somehow not enthralling. I had to force myself to read it (for research for a class project). I often differ on my views but also find many I agree with. Of course we don't see what he has left out and because it is Autobiography we miss the analytics of what the outside world thought; except where he felt he needed to justify himself. Though of course this is still not impartial. I admire his graft and commitment but somehow miss out on the empathy.

[Lord Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Paul Daniels when I was growing up I love his TV shows . It was good to get to know Paul behind the camera.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read!! Really recommend this for anyone interested in magic or Paul Daniels.