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How Magicians Think Lib/E: Misdirection, Deception, and Why Magic Matters
There’s a saying: The door to magic is closed, but it’s not locked. In How Magicians Think, professional magician and bestselling author Joshua Jay not only opens that door, he brings us inside and turns on the light, revealing the artistry, inside history, and fascinating traditions of a subject long shrouded in mystery. But above all, he reveals the mindset behind the magic—what it’s like to practice an art that so many love yet so few understand.
This is not a how-to book, nor a how-do-they-do-it expose. Written as a series of short, lively essays, How Magicians Think describes the making of illusions, the psychology behind them, and the characters who create them. He writes about how technology influences the world of magic; the aesthetics of performance; his contemporaries, including David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and David Blaine; and how magicians hone their craft (Jay spends countless hours in absolute darkness to perfect his sleights of hand). And answers questions like, Can a magic trick be too good? And how do you saw a person in half? (It depends…)
Compelling, thoughtful, and written by an insider, How Magicians Think is a rare excursion into a truly secret world.
This is not a how-to book, nor a how-do-they-do-it expose. Written as a series of short, lively essays, How Magicians Think describes the making of illusions, the psychology behind them, and the characters who create them. He writes about how technology influences the world of magic; the aesthetics of performance; his contemporaries, including David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and David Blaine; and how magicians hone their craft (Jay spends countless hours in absolute darkness to perfect his sleights of hand). And answers questions like, Can a magic trick be too good? And how do you saw a person in half? (It depends…)
Compelling, thoughtful, and written by an insider, How Magicians Think is a rare excursion into a truly secret world.
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First published September 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 5, 2023
Good magic is all about surprise. Well, good magic books are apparently the same way because I came into this looking for a little fun and I'm astonished by how good it was. The thought, artistry, and practice that goes into being a professional magician is never something I had spent time thinking about, but now I have a whole new appreciation for them. Although yes, I am very mad at myself for not going to see a magic act when I was in Vegas. 😫
October 9, 2024
Books that teach you how to do magic tricks are a dime a dozen, even adjusted for inflation. Heck, these days, many secrets exist in video form, and are just a Google search away. Finding out how the tricks are done is usually the easy part, especially if one is even moderately determined. But Joshua Jay gets into the more interesting questions: Why magic? How do you make magic entertaining instead of just a puzzle to solve? Is magic Art? What's David Blaine's deal anyway?
I think I've mentioned in a previous review or three that I've been an amateur magician for most of my life, so it was probably inevitable that I was going to like this book. Joshua Jay speaks my language.
In some ways, it's more of a guide for spectators on how to watch magic. Any good magician knows that the secret of the trick isn't how it's done so much as how well it's done. What's the performer's style? Do their effects flow logically from one to the other? If they're doing a trick you've seen before, how does their version differ from what you've seen previously?
I think my favorite chapters involved visiting places that I'll probably never get to see: inside the Magic Castle in LA, inside David Copperfield's Vegas museum, Juan Tamariz's home in Spain …
If you're at all interested in magic and magicians, this is an excellent book. No, it won't teach you any new tricks, but it will feed your soul and inspire you. There will be plenty of books of tricks out there after you're done.
I think I've mentioned in a previous review or three that I've been an amateur magician for most of my life, so it was probably inevitable that I was going to like this book. Joshua Jay speaks my language.
In some ways, it's more of a guide for spectators on how to watch magic. Any good magician knows that the secret of the trick isn't how it's done so much as how well it's done. What's the performer's style? Do their effects flow logically from one to the other? If they're doing a trick you've seen before, how does their version differ from what you've seen previously?
I think my favorite chapters involved visiting places that I'll probably never get to see: inside the Magic Castle in LA, inside David Copperfield's Vegas museum, Juan Tamariz's home in Spain …
If you're at all interested in magic and magicians, this is an excellent book. No, it won't teach you any new tricks, but it will feed your soul and inspire you. There will be plenty of books of tricks out there after you're done.
October 31, 2021
Growing up, I had a little obsession with magic. Making flowers appear with the wave of a hand, sawing an assistant in half, pulling a rabbit out of a hat—anytime a magician popped up on TV, I was riveted. Well, the animal acts generally made me uncomfortable, but the rest of it—bending the rules of reality—was fascinating. More than anything, I wanted to know how they did what they did. Not so much the secrets behind their illusions, but how they were crafted and how magicians can captivate an audience almost entirely through mild deception.
I was kind of a literal kid.
Well, performing wasn’t in the cards, but thankfully there are magicians out there like Joshua Jay providing a glimpse behind the magic curtain (handkerchief?).
In his newest book, How Magicians Think, Jay presents fifty-two essays examining everything from his favorite magicians how an illusion is workshopped to even a brief history of the artform. They’re generally brief pieces, and this brevity keeps the book from every getting stale. If anything, there are plenty of times I found myself curious about Jay’s further thoughts on a few topics. But like any good showman, he knows how to leave an audience wanting more. Fortunately, through thoughtful analysis and the occasional amusing anecdote, he delivers.
For those wanting to know exactly how to perform the big tricks themselves, no such luck here. Jay is big on reiterating the cloistered nature of magicians. So much so, about the only time he has a negative word to say is when discussing a magician who sold secrets for a quick television paycheck. In a world where most information is just a few keystrokes away, it’s somehow both quaint and refreshing that Jay and magicians like him continue to swear themselves to secrecy.
Ultimately, that’s what keeps this book entertaining. If you still want to sit back and believe in the magic—even just a little—Jay offers the possibility of a deeper appreciation for illusions and the people who work tirelessly to perfect them.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
I was kind of a literal kid.
Well, performing wasn’t in the cards, but thankfully there are magicians out there like Joshua Jay providing a glimpse behind the magic curtain (handkerchief?).
In his newest book, How Magicians Think, Jay presents fifty-two essays examining everything from his favorite magicians how an illusion is workshopped to even a brief history of the artform. They’re generally brief pieces, and this brevity keeps the book from every getting stale. If anything, there are plenty of times I found myself curious about Jay’s further thoughts on a few topics. But like any good showman, he knows how to leave an audience wanting more. Fortunately, through thoughtful analysis and the occasional amusing anecdote, he delivers.
For those wanting to know exactly how to perform the big tricks themselves, no such luck here. Jay is big on reiterating the cloistered nature of magicians. So much so, about the only time he has a negative word to say is when discussing a magician who sold secrets for a quick television paycheck. In a world where most information is just a few keystrokes away, it’s somehow both quaint and refreshing that Jay and magicians like him continue to swear themselves to secrecy.
Ultimately, that’s what keeps this book entertaining. If you still want to sit back and believe in the magic—even just a little—Jay offers the possibility of a deeper appreciation for illusions and the people who work tirelessly to perfect them.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
October 8, 2024
I picked up this book out of pure curiosity when I stumbled upon a magic store whilst walking through Fishermans Wharf in SF (turns out the store is owned by the books author lol).
Anywho, the book was pretty impactful to me whilst also being very entertaining. It's been a while since I _craved_ to pick up a book anytime I had spare time.
Joshua explains why magic matters, which—if you've never studied the craft—might surprise you.
Ultimately, it's an art form centered around wonder, he says.
But, what is wonder?
The surrender to the unknown.
Turns out we as humans really really crave that! It's a profound feeling that's innate to us.
As just a spectator of magic, many things "clicked" as I was reading the book.
I gained much more respect for magicians as a result.
Joshua also does a few deep-dives on the backgrounds of famous (and not-so-famous) magicians, gives us a tour of the Magic Castle, explains the role of children in magic, covers concepts like audiences, the feeling of surprise, the value of magic collectibles and many more magic-related things.
The book is also written in simple words, which makes it that much more fun to read. It's easy to intuit that the author is very smart given the word selection and how everything just flows. It's a smooth reading experience.
It leaves us readers with pages full of magic.
Anywho, the book was pretty impactful to me whilst also being very entertaining. It's been a while since I _craved_ to pick up a book anytime I had spare time.
Joshua explains why magic matters, which—if you've never studied the craft—might surprise you.
Ultimately, it's an art form centered around wonder, he says.
But, what is wonder?
The surrender to the unknown.
Turns out we as humans really really crave that! It's a profound feeling that's innate to us.
As just a spectator of magic, many things "clicked" as I was reading the book.
I gained much more respect for magicians as a result.
Joshua also does a few deep-dives on the backgrounds of famous (and not-so-famous) magicians, gives us a tour of the Magic Castle, explains the role of children in magic, covers concepts like audiences, the feeling of surprise, the value of magic collectibles and many more magic-related things.
The book is also written in simple words, which makes it that much more fun to read. It's easy to intuit that the author is very smart given the word selection and how everything just flows. It's a smooth reading experience.
It leaves us readers with pages full of magic.
January 16, 2023
Even though I'm married to a magician, I'm one of those people who doesn't want to be told how a trick works. I either want to figure it out myself or not know at all.
This book does a beautiful job of not revealing any big secrets, but looking closely at how magicians tend to break down problems, how they approach new ideas, and how they tackle challenges. It's a very well-rounded view into a magician's thought process and the "magical" community. Easily accessible to us "muggles", it is a well written and engaging book.
It touches on many aspects of magic: history, science, psychological, and others. I also enjoyed the biography blips on quite a few magicians, some well known and others not.
Above all, my respect for magicians increased as I read.
This book does a beautiful job of not revealing any big secrets, but looking closely at how magicians tend to break down problems, how they approach new ideas, and how they tackle challenges. It's a very well-rounded view into a magician's thought process and the "magical" community. Easily accessible to us "muggles", it is a well written and engaging book.
It touches on many aspects of magic: history, science, psychological, and others. I also enjoyed the biography blips on quite a few magicians, some well known and others not.
Above all, my respect for magicians increased as I read.
January 10, 2023
Light & fun
This is part memoir...
slightly more definition 2. than 1. but yeah I guess both of these
1.
a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.
2.
an essay on a learned subject.
...and part "the best of" an AMA session with a famous Magician. like:
Who's your favorite magician, What's the weirdest gig you've ever done, do magicians make any money? kind of questions.
Reading this book gave me a happy feeling and a desire to go see a magic show, or baring that... have a candlelight gab fest with people I love after midnight.
This is part memoir...
slightly more definition 2. than 1. but yeah I guess both of these
1.
a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.
2.
an essay on a learned subject.
...and part "the best of" an AMA session with a famous Magician. like:
Who's your favorite magician, What's the weirdest gig you've ever done, do magicians make any money? kind of questions.
Reading this book gave me a happy feeling and a desire to go see a magic show, or baring that... have a candlelight gab fest with people I love after midnight.
February 5, 2022
There’s no shortage of books written by magicians for laypeople, but what sets this book apart is that Joshua Jay is actually a very decent writer. With the exception of a few notable essayists, most magicians rarely have to convey anything other than how a trick is performed. Jay’s writing skills are well honed and the text is sprinkled with references to literature, cinema and other arts. Equal parts autobiography, magic history, and a study of the philosophy and psychology of modern magic, he draws the curtain back on how a serious magician thinks.
It’s not at all necessary to be interested in magic to enjoy this book - anyone who enjoys the insights of a master of their craft can appreciate what’s on offer here.
It’s not at all necessary to be interested in magic to enjoy this book - anyone who enjoys the insights of a master of their craft can appreciate what’s on offer here.
October 16, 2022
Full disclosure (and brag): This book was written by my friend Joshua Jay, and I finally read it!
It can be read by both magicians and non-magicians alike. I thought that it would be a better read for magicians, but after reading some of the other reviews, I think both will enjoy it as long as there is a love of magic.
It can be read by both magicians and non-magicians alike. I thought that it would be a better read for magicians, but after reading some of the other reviews, I think both will enjoy it as long as there is a love of magic.
January 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I know nothing of magic. I went to a magic show in Vegas once at the tropicana and really enjoyed it. VVC has a magic show once a year. This book made me want to start going to magic shows. I found this book entertaining, thought provoking, entertaining and informational. I highly recommend it.
September 4, 2022
Need a gift? This is a good one. When you open the book, you immediate fall in love with the colorful pages of art and everything in the world of imagination.
How are we fooled? After watching someone perform an act which looks impossible on stage, the mind starts to try to figure out how it’s done. He says, the closer you look, the less you see. It takes minutes to be tricked yet he says it takes a lot of practice to get the techniques just right.
There’s much I learned. The chapters are short and the writing is interesting with pieces of history, facts, stories and tidbits. He reveals that Houdini was the most famous but not the greatest. It’s a fun book to read and pass along to just about anyone that wants to wander outside of the box.
How are we fooled? After watching someone perform an act which looks impossible on stage, the mind starts to try to figure out how it’s done. He says, the closer you look, the less you see. It takes minutes to be tricked yet he says it takes a lot of practice to get the techniques just right.
There’s much I learned. The chapters are short and the writing is interesting with pieces of history, facts, stories and tidbits. He reveals that Houdini was the most famous but not the greatest. It’s a fun book to read and pass along to just about anyone that wants to wander outside of the box.
September 5, 2021
Utterly absorbing. This book took me ages to read because I had to keep going to look up videos of the magicians and tricks described by the author. It has reignited one of my first passions and helped me share it down to my kids, who are now pulling quarters out of each others' ears and asking Grandma to "pick a card, any card". Five stars!
December 23, 2021
Like most kids, I tried to go through a magic phase when I was younger, checking out books from the library all the time, but could never commit to all the practice. It wasn’t until Now You See Me came out that a renewal of wanting to learn magic came to me and over the years, I’d try to learn a few tricks here or there and watching plenty of great Youtubers showing the basics (shoutout to Chris Ramsey and Brian Brushwood and their channels for keeping my interest piqued all these years). Plus several good, but also VERY bad movies have come out as well but I’ve never really gotten to the point of being able to “perform” magic (I know like two, maybe three card tricks, along with throwing them, and possible the coin vanish). But I’ve always had such a deep respect for magic and what it does and bring to the world. It's a big reason why I picked up this book (that my mother brought home, thinking I’d appreciate it) and loved every page of it… and may want to try and get back into learning a couple more tricks. Cause it doesn’t dive in and tell you all the secrets of magic and how to do it, but instead, how to greater appreciate it and continue seeing it in the magical glory that magicians and performers are trying to bring to their audience.
Joshua Jay is a magician who not only understands his craft but the world, culture, and history behind it. His view and appreciation for magic allows him to answer some of the biggest questions magicians like him get asked all the time and answers them with such insight and information that we what he provides as support almost satisfies the question better than the blunt or obvious answer. His quotes and interviews with some of the giants in magic right now (Penn & Teller, David Copperfield, David Blaine, etc.) help showcase a small behind the scenes look into the mind of a magician and how it works, while also not giving away the secrets that help keep the magic alive. But he does also get very real about the world of magic and the dangers, discrimination, perception, and misinformation surrounding his world, being blunt but honest on why these things are the way they were way back in the day, but also still today as well. Yet he also doesn’t fall into the pitfalls of going too far or deep down the top hats where rabbits live to overdo or say more than he should. Most chapters a short, sweet, and say just enough to answer the question, but perhaps also generates more or the pursuit for more on the topic as well.
All in the effort to make one more appreciative and perceptive to better enjoy magic. He speaks repeatedly on those who want to continue being amazed by magic and those who wish to know how the magic was done, not just to know how they were fooled, but to be amazed at how it was done. Seeing versus knowing. I was one who always wanted to know how it was done, but as I grew older, I didn’t. I’d seek out how the “easier” tricks were done, in a nowhere pursuit of trying to learn how to do it myself, but would leave the bigger grander spectacles that wowed me alone, letting myself think how it was done or how I would go about doing such. Over this time, I’ve learned to appreciate it more and more as being one who played trumpet for 8-9 years, youth ice hockey for 6, and several other smaller pursuits that have required many years of practice, I understand the commitment magicians have to their craft and mastering all the nuances to get it just right. It’s one of the reasons why there were several pages I actually skipped in the book as I didn’t want some trick, device, or illusion spoiled for me as I’d rather be left in the dark to think on it myself on how it is/was done (especially the Robert-Houdin Glass Column Clock).
In the end, I found myself eating up the pages of this book, wanting to gain even the smallest new tidbit to commit to my knowledge so I can go out and both appreciate magic more but also to help fuel another push of magic learning passion. Granted, I may only keep to cardistry and simple sleight of hand, but the drive is there and I am truly excited. This was a small passion I had forgotten about and glad to be made aware of again. I’d highly suggest this book to not only fellow magicians or lovers of magic, but anyone who has ever been interested or wowed by it. This will give you that warm fuzzy feeling of comfort as you learn things you didn’t and gain the magic to see magic in a new or better way.
Now pick a card, any card…
Joshua Jay is a magician who not only understands his craft but the world, culture, and history behind it. His view and appreciation for magic allows him to answer some of the biggest questions magicians like him get asked all the time and answers them with such insight and information that we what he provides as support almost satisfies the question better than the blunt or obvious answer. His quotes and interviews with some of the giants in magic right now (Penn & Teller, David Copperfield, David Blaine, etc.) help showcase a small behind the scenes look into the mind of a magician and how it works, while also not giving away the secrets that help keep the magic alive. But he does also get very real about the world of magic and the dangers, discrimination, perception, and misinformation surrounding his world, being blunt but honest on why these things are the way they were way back in the day, but also still today as well. Yet he also doesn’t fall into the pitfalls of going too far or deep down the top hats where rabbits live to overdo or say more than he should. Most chapters a short, sweet, and say just enough to answer the question, but perhaps also generates more or the pursuit for more on the topic as well.
All in the effort to make one more appreciative and perceptive to better enjoy magic. He speaks repeatedly on those who want to continue being amazed by magic and those who wish to know how the magic was done, not just to know how they were fooled, but to be amazed at how it was done. Seeing versus knowing. I was one who always wanted to know how it was done, but as I grew older, I didn’t. I’d seek out how the “easier” tricks were done, in a nowhere pursuit of trying to learn how to do it myself, but would leave the bigger grander spectacles that wowed me alone, letting myself think how it was done or how I would go about doing such. Over this time, I’ve learned to appreciate it more and more as being one who played trumpet for 8-9 years, youth ice hockey for 6, and several other smaller pursuits that have required many years of practice, I understand the commitment magicians have to their craft and mastering all the nuances to get it just right. It’s one of the reasons why there were several pages I actually skipped in the book as I didn’t want some trick, device, or illusion spoiled for me as I’d rather be left in the dark to think on it myself on how it is/was done (especially the Robert-Houdin Glass Column Clock).
In the end, I found myself eating up the pages of this book, wanting to gain even the smallest new tidbit to commit to my knowledge so I can go out and both appreciate magic more but also to help fuel another push of magic learning passion. Granted, I may only keep to cardistry and simple sleight of hand, but the drive is there and I am truly excited. This was a small passion I had forgotten about and glad to be made aware of again. I’d highly suggest this book to not only fellow magicians or lovers of magic, but anyone who has ever been interested or wowed by it. This will give you that warm fuzzy feeling of comfort as you learn things you didn’t and gain the magic to see magic in a new or better way.
Now pick a card, any card…
September 23, 2024
Marvelous book. It shows a person clearly enthusiastic about magic and invested a lot in it. You can experience his love for what he does throughout the book, and the experience is inspiring.
I always considered magic as a past-time, never really intended to be anything serious. And I always thought that magicians would think of themselves merely as entertainers. But the book made me think otherwise - there are magicians who bring a certain sense of purpose along with them. They are serious in their intent and dedicated towards realizing those abstract intents. This frame of mind is instantly clear when you read the introduction and the first chapter, and it continues for the entire book. The book lays out what magic means for Jay and how he interprets it in bringing meaning to others. He seems very well connected to the real world in that regards - you could say that you are performing magic for world peace but that would be superficial, unbelievable to a large extent. But what Jay says makes a lot of sense and places magic in the right context with a lot of substance to it.
Each chapter is sort of like a question and answer, which doesn't seem that exciting of a format. But it works out well because Jay is able to narrate stories in between, illustrating what he wants to say and weaves a very focussed, yet light storytelling around his answers. There are emotions involved, but it doesn't too serious at any point and neither does it feel over the top. It's just right. Plus the chapter-cum-questions are all mixed around. For example one sequence was - "Who's your favorite magician", the next was "Do magicians get fooled" followed by "Why do some people hate magic?". You can see there's a wide variety of questions being answered and there's never a single in-depth dive into a single theme (for example a whole bunch of consecutive chapters on personal opinions). If you look at the index, they are all questions born out of curiosity and, you know, make sense. The order of the chapters seems a little random but it's so carefully constructed that at times they provide you with a context suited for the next chapter and change your mindset without you realizing so, setting you up for later chapters.
Jay is a visionary, scientific and open-minded in his approach to magic. You can see that he has researched a lot and knows a lot. Yet the book packs an emotional message too: after this book, I wouldn't object to anyone claiming that magic, like other arts, is about emotion and stories.
There's an easy way to see if you would like this book. Read the introduction and first chapter. If you are hooked, you will be for the rest of the book too.
If Joshua Jay ever reads the review - congratulations. You succeeded in your declared aim in the introduction. There's a whole psychology to magic to which I am now just enlightened enough to appreciate magic more.
List of chapters which I think are applicable for any craft/field/job/pursuit:
1. How do you create magic - think about an idea, bind it to something concrete, stress-test it, build a story around it and then finally think about the execution.
2. [What do you think about] right before you go onstage - especially the old musician's parable: "I know all of you hav played this piece innumerable times, and the audience has heard it many times. But tonight I want you to play for two distinguished guests. One member of your audience is a little girl who is hearing Beethoven's Fifth for the first time. The second member of your audience is an old man, who will be hearing it for his last time."
Other chapters which were the most interesting in my opinion:
* Why do magicians have such big egos? - about self-confidence and changing the status-quo
* Is there real magic in the universe? - context defines reality
* What's the next big thing in magic? - Jay's ability to think and outline of a future in a sensible way
I always considered magic as a past-time, never really intended to be anything serious. And I always thought that magicians would think of themselves merely as entertainers. But the book made me think otherwise - there are magicians who bring a certain sense of purpose along with them. They are serious in their intent and dedicated towards realizing those abstract intents. This frame of mind is instantly clear when you read the introduction and the first chapter, and it continues for the entire book. The book lays out what magic means for Jay and how he interprets it in bringing meaning to others. He seems very well connected to the real world in that regards - you could say that you are performing magic for world peace but that would be superficial, unbelievable to a large extent. But what Jay says makes a lot of sense and places magic in the right context with a lot of substance to it.
Each chapter is sort of like a question and answer, which doesn't seem that exciting of a format. But it works out well because Jay is able to narrate stories in between, illustrating what he wants to say and weaves a very focussed, yet light storytelling around his answers. There are emotions involved, but it doesn't too serious at any point and neither does it feel over the top. It's just right. Plus the chapter-cum-questions are all mixed around. For example one sequence was - "Who's your favorite magician", the next was "Do magicians get fooled" followed by "Why do some people hate magic?". You can see there's a wide variety of questions being answered and there's never a single in-depth dive into a single theme (for example a whole bunch of consecutive chapters on personal opinions). If you look at the index, they are all questions born out of curiosity and, you know, make sense. The order of the chapters seems a little random but it's so carefully constructed that at times they provide you with a context suited for the next chapter and change your mindset without you realizing so, setting you up for later chapters.
Jay is a visionary, scientific and open-minded in his approach to magic. You can see that he has researched a lot and knows a lot. Yet the book packs an emotional message too: after this book, I wouldn't object to anyone claiming that magic, like other arts, is about emotion and stories.
There's an easy way to see if you would like this book. Read the introduction and first chapter. If you are hooked, you will be for the rest of the book too.
If Joshua Jay ever reads the review - congratulations. You succeeded in your declared aim in the introduction. There's a whole psychology to magic to which I am now just enlightened enough to appreciate magic more.
List of chapters which I think are applicable for any craft/field/job/pursuit:
1. How do you create magic - think about an idea, bind it to something concrete, stress-test it, build a story around it and then finally think about the execution.
2. [What do you think about] right before you go onstage - especially the old musician's parable: "I know all of you hav played this piece innumerable times, and the audience has heard it many times. But tonight I want you to play for two distinguished guests. One member of your audience is a little girl who is hearing Beethoven's Fifth for the first time. The second member of your audience is an old man, who will be hearing it for his last time."
Other chapters which were the most interesting in my opinion:
* Why do magicians have such big egos? - about self-confidence and changing the status-quo
* Is there real magic in the universe? - context defines reality
* What's the next big thing in magic? - Jay's ability to think and outline of a future in a sensible way
October 10, 2021
When I first received the book HOW MAGICIANS THINK MISDIRECTION, DECEPTION AND WHY MAGIC MATTERS, the name Joshua Jay caught my attention. I thought he must be related to the master of card magic Ricky Jay. As I read through the book, I was corrected on that assumption. They are not related. But that does matter because the magic world has another Jay to amaze and inspire, and quite literally the book is totally magical.
Magic is one of the constants of life. Watching a first-class magician is an awe-inspiring moment, watching them pull flowers out of the air, make objects levitate, make people disappear, and do card and coin tricks that have you scratching your head in puzzlement.
There have been a host of classic magicians throughout history. Perhaps the most famous of them all might be Harry Houdini the great escape artist. As well David Copperfield comes to mind and his vast array of illusions and constantly sold-out Vegas act. Few will forget the night live on television that he appeared to make the statue of liberty disappear. Penn & Teller are mentioned often for their contribution to magic and their popular television show.
What one will not find in this compelling book are tricks to the trade, and how magicians can use sleight of hand to make things vanish and reappear many feet away. That is not the emphasis of the book. In the fifty-two chapters, Jay talks about so many subjects of course all pertaining to magic. It is like a classic work of fiction, the sort of book you truly cannot put down as the deeper into the book you wander the more (I hate to keep using the word) magical it becomes.
The chapters are short and to the point. They include: How do you create magic, how often do magicians practice, do magicians get fooled, why aren’t there more black magicians, what’s your favorite magic trick, do magicians insure their hands, why do magicians pull rabbit out of hats, does magic look different in other countries, and do you have a very favorite magician?
The answers are here and much more, along with a look at the state of the business and the wish for more female magicians as well. You do not need to be a magician or die-hard fan to appreciate this book. Joshua Jay has conjured up a masterful book as special as magic itself.
Magic is one of the constants of life. Watching a first-class magician is an awe-inspiring moment, watching them pull flowers out of the air, make objects levitate, make people disappear, and do card and coin tricks that have you scratching your head in puzzlement.
There have been a host of classic magicians throughout history. Perhaps the most famous of them all might be Harry Houdini the great escape artist. As well David Copperfield comes to mind and his vast array of illusions and constantly sold-out Vegas act. Few will forget the night live on television that he appeared to make the statue of liberty disappear. Penn & Teller are mentioned often for their contribution to magic and their popular television show.
What one will not find in this compelling book are tricks to the trade, and how magicians can use sleight of hand to make things vanish and reappear many feet away. That is not the emphasis of the book. In the fifty-two chapters, Jay talks about so many subjects of course all pertaining to magic. It is like a classic work of fiction, the sort of book you truly cannot put down as the deeper into the book you wander the more (I hate to keep using the word) magical it becomes.
The chapters are short and to the point. They include: How do you create magic, how often do magicians practice, do magicians get fooled, why aren’t there more black magicians, what’s your favorite magic trick, do magicians insure their hands, why do magicians pull rabbit out of hats, does magic look different in other countries, and do you have a very favorite magician?
The answers are here and much more, along with a look at the state of the business and the wish for more female magicians as well. You do not need to be a magician or die-hard fan to appreciate this book. Joshua Jay has conjured up a masterful book as special as magic itself.
October 10, 2021
Raise your hands if you like seeing magicians perform, and want to know more about how they do what they do.
OK, now the rest of you move on to another book review.
Josh Jay is a seasoned professional and wrote this book to answer all the questions people ask him. Who are the best magicians? How long does it take to develop a magic act? Is David Blaine for real?
There are 52 short chapters detailing answers to a multitude of questions, and in the course of the book Jay gives us a brief history of stage magic, an extensive discussion about developing and practicing magic tricks, and a philosophical treatise on human nature and why people love to see magic performed. He also talks about the fraternity of magicians (still, unfortunately, mostly male), how they police themselves to not steal others' tricks, and how they interact with each other.
In the process of answering these questions Jay spends time with magicians such as David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and David Blaine (and yes, his endurance performances are real.)
With a notable exception he received permission for, he does not reveal the secrets behind tricks. In the process of discussing the preparation for some tricks, he pretty much tells you how it is done. It's no less impressive, perhaps even more so, to learn about preparing for the 'bullet catch' trick.
Magic has changed in the internet age, and he talks about that. He talks about the code of the magicians whereby a magician will not use a trick developed by another magician without permission. However, the internet is making things difficult; in an era where you can study a video, freeze it, slo-mo it, it's difficult to protect the secrets of many tricks, and non-professionals have no compunction about dissecting a trick online and replicating it.
Will this spell the death of performed magic? Jay doesn't think so, but realizes that it will change.
OK, now the rest of you move on to another book review.
Josh Jay is a seasoned professional and wrote this book to answer all the questions people ask him. Who are the best magicians? How long does it take to develop a magic act? Is David Blaine for real?
There are 52 short chapters detailing answers to a multitude of questions, and in the course of the book Jay gives us a brief history of stage magic, an extensive discussion about developing and practicing magic tricks, and a philosophical treatise on human nature and why people love to see magic performed. He also talks about the fraternity of magicians (still, unfortunately, mostly male), how they police themselves to not steal others' tricks, and how they interact with each other.
In the process of answering these questions Jay spends time with magicians such as David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and David Blaine (and yes, his endurance performances are real.)
With a notable exception he received permission for, he does not reveal the secrets behind tricks. In the process of discussing the preparation for some tricks, he pretty much tells you how it is done. It's no less impressive, perhaps even more so, to learn about preparing for the 'bullet catch' trick.
Magic has changed in the internet age, and he talks about that. He talks about the code of the magicians whereby a magician will not use a trick developed by another magician without permission. However, the internet is making things difficult; in an era where you can study a video, freeze it, slo-mo it, it's difficult to protect the secrets of many tricks, and non-professionals have no compunction about dissecting a trick online and replicating it.
Will this spell the death of performed magic? Jay doesn't think so, but realizes that it will change.
January 12, 2024
This book was such a disappointment. It was highly touted and recommended to me by a friend who reads a lot of nonfiction. Unfortunately, the book failed to meet expectations. The book does start off strong and was both interesting and entertaining. But it shortly fell flat and was difficult to continue to read. The material is highly repetitive and simply not interesting.
There are over 50 chapters in the book. Each chapter is supposedly the answer to a question the author, a magician, has been asked in the past. Like I said, much of the material is repeated in numerous chapters. Each chapter is an essay on a different topic.
The book comes in at 310 pages, but in actuality, it is much shorter. Most chapters are only three to four pages long, and often end with just a few sentences or a paragraph at the top of the page, leaving a lot of white space in the book. Also, each chapter begins with a full page illustration with no text other than the name of the chapter. Subtract the white space and wasted title page for each chapter, and the book is really just over 200 pages long. Two chapters are especially short. One chapter is seven words long and another is only one word long. Yes, really. What a waste of paper.
I give the book two stars as some of the material was interesting, but if the author had not repeated so much information, and been more concise in his explanations, it would have been a much better book.
There are over 50 chapters in the book. Each chapter is supposedly the answer to a question the author, a magician, has been asked in the past. Like I said, much of the material is repeated in numerous chapters. Each chapter is an essay on a different topic.
The book comes in at 310 pages, but in actuality, it is much shorter. Most chapters are only three to four pages long, and often end with just a few sentences or a paragraph at the top of the page, leaving a lot of white space in the book. Also, each chapter begins with a full page illustration with no text other than the name of the chapter. Subtract the white space and wasted title page for each chapter, and the book is really just over 200 pages long. Two chapters are especially short. One chapter is seven words long and another is only one word long. Yes, really. What a waste of paper.
I give the book two stars as some of the material was interesting, but if the author had not repeated so much information, and been more concise in his explanations, it would have been a much better book.
October 15, 2024
Like many of us, when I was a kid I had a magic set. It was advertised during children’s shows on television, and featured a dozen or so beginner’s tricks–the kind that only impress polite and indulgent grandparents. Doug Henning was my magician idol; his specials epitomized 1970s TV extravaganzas, and inspired a generation of young magicians. I lost interest over the years, though, sold my little magic kit, and largely have ignored the recent crop of internet viral magicians. Then four months ago, I moved to Appleton, WI, where Houdini lived and where his mystique survives and is commemorated in many town monuments. I started volunteering at a museum that houses an impressive collection of Houdini memorabilia. My interest in magic was rekindled. I re-watched some old Doug Henning specials on YouTube. They look cheesy as all get-out now, but are still entertaining, and Henning’s passion for the wonder of magic is as infectious as ever. Joshua Jay’s How Magicians Think oozes that same passion. This is not a How-To book. You will not learn how famous tricks are performed. Rather, Jay answers a series of questions about magic in bite-sized essays. I will never be a great magician. I have a job and other interests that limit the amount of time I can devote to practicing the art, and I’m getting a very, VERY late start in the field! But I can still enjoy it, and this book is a great place to begin.
October 21, 2025
Written by Joshua Jay, a magician himself, How Magicians Think is a Q&A book (sort of) that details the mindset of a magician and the significance of magic itself. Each chapter is focused on a single question that Jay attempts to answer in hopes of allowing readers to comprehend how it relates to being a magician. The questions range from trivial, psychological, philosophical, etc. And in each response, we learn a little history or Jay's own experience in performing magic tricks. One thing definitely is that there will be no secrets revealed behind any notable magic tricks.
Picking up this book, I didn't expect to learn the secrets of how to perform these tricks. Rather, I was curious in how to think like a magician. Joshua Jay does excellent job in providing his explanation to popular questions that can be asked to any magician. His answers are very detailed, and even humorous, at times. Through his writing, we get to see a glimmer of what the magician's world is like, along with the society of magicians. I do agree that magicians are not often regarded on the same level as other performing arts profession, but Jay does not how magic has changed over time and that, hopefully, the future of magic will bring further progression & appreciation to the skills. How Magicians Think is a nice insight to the career & history of being a magician. No tricks to the slight of hand here!
Picking up this book, I didn't expect to learn the secrets of how to perform these tricks. Rather, I was curious in how to think like a magician. Joshua Jay does excellent job in providing his explanation to popular questions that can be asked to any magician. His answers are very detailed, and even humorous, at times. Through his writing, we get to see a glimmer of what the magician's world is like, along with the society of magicians. I do agree that magicians are not often regarded on the same level as other performing arts profession, but Jay does not how magic has changed over time and that, hopefully, the future of magic will bring further progression & appreciation to the skills. How Magicians Think is a nice insight to the career & history of being a magician. No tricks to the slight of hand here!
November 27, 2022
I have just finished reading How Magicians Think Misdirection, Deception, and Why Magic Matters by Joshua Jay. Thanks to the Workman Publishing Company and Netgalley for letting me review this book.
The reason I chose this book is because I'm a big fan of magic, I cannot perform any tricks but I enjoy reading about the history. This book is very well written and comprises of several short essays. I'm a fan of Penn & Teller and Mr. Jay quotes Teller, along with various other magicians and it's really enjoyable to read. Mr. Jay is himself a magician with a clear love of the craft and it is interesting to read his essays. The book looks into how the magician performs their craft, takes us behind the curtain and examines the methods behind the tricks while not revealing the tricks. This book will not teach you how to perform magic (although there are tips in it) but it is a very interesting look at the psychology and history behind tricks and the magicians behind them. Very much recommended.
The reason I chose this book is because I'm a big fan of magic, I cannot perform any tricks but I enjoy reading about the history. This book is very well written and comprises of several short essays. I'm a fan of Penn & Teller and Mr. Jay quotes Teller, along with various other magicians and it's really enjoyable to read. Mr. Jay is himself a magician with a clear love of the craft and it is interesting to read his essays. The book looks into how the magician performs their craft, takes us behind the curtain and examines the methods behind the tricks while not revealing the tricks. This book will not teach you how to perform magic (although there are tips in it) but it is a very interesting look at the psychology and history behind tricks and the magicians behind them. Very much recommended.
June 14, 2021
Joshua Jay's "How Magicians Think" will not tell you how a rabbit is produced from a hat or how to saw a lady in half. It will not reveal how Shin Lim does his tricks. It will, however, leave you with a deeper appreciation for the craft and care that magicians such as Jay put into their art. Divided into 52 short essays, Jay works to answer questions like how tricks are designed, what David Copperfield's personal museum/archive/library is like, and why there aren't as many female or black magicians as there should be. There's also a few chapters dedicated to Houdini and why he simultaneously was and was not the greatest magician ever.
I enjoyed the discussions of process and practice more than anything else in this book, as it allowed for magic to be equated to a virtuoso musician practicing their pieces before a performance. I know I for one will keep my ears open should Juan Tamariz visit New York and finally pay a visit to Tannen's with added appreciation after this book (less)
I enjoyed the discussions of process and practice more than anything else in this book, as it allowed for magic to be equated to a virtuoso musician practicing their pieces before a performance. I know I for one will keep my ears open should Juan Tamariz visit New York and finally pay a visit to Tannen's with added appreciation after this book (less)
April 17, 2022
„If I have learned one thing about people as a magician it is this: They are, by nature, unfocused. They are easily influenced and alarmingly easy to fool.
Too often they give up almost immediately on trying to figure things out.“
I started this book for a research on a novel I am writing since 2017. It‘s hard to write a magician if you have never done magic yourself. How is one going to invent magic tricks? That‘s a major issue that I have not yet overcome, but I found something else. This book gives a perception on becoming really good at something, to be so focused that other people may never understand your efforts. So along all those really interesting facts and deep dives into a often completely hidden world (who gets invited by Copperfield?) I got a little wiser along the way. Thanks for this book, Joshua Jay, it is going on my list of favorite books.
Too often they give up almost immediately on trying to figure things out.“
I started this book for a research on a novel I am writing since 2017. It‘s hard to write a magician if you have never done magic yourself. How is one going to invent magic tricks? That‘s a major issue that I have not yet overcome, but I found something else. This book gives a perception on becoming really good at something, to be so focused that other people may never understand your efforts. So along all those really interesting facts and deep dives into a often completely hidden world (who gets invited by Copperfield?) I got a little wiser along the way. Thanks for this book, Joshua Jay, it is going on my list of favorite books.
November 21, 2021
I received a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fascinating read!
I first heard about Joshua Jay from his appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us. This book dives into the world of being a magician. Each chapter is broken down into a question that's answered, mostly, in an essay format. Jay talks about his favorite magicians, what drew him to magic, how he creates a show, why magicians don't share how they do tricks, and more.
Jay also talks about how there isn't much representation for women or people of color in the magic world, which is a nice touch. He talks about his appearance on Penn & Teller and some of his experiences coming up as a magician.
Overall a really captivating read!
This was a fascinating read!
I first heard about Joshua Jay from his appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us. This book dives into the world of being a magician. Each chapter is broken down into a question that's answered, mostly, in an essay format. Jay talks about his favorite magicians, what drew him to magic, how he creates a show, why magicians don't share how they do tricks, and more.
Jay also talks about how there isn't much representation for women or people of color in the magic world, which is a nice touch. He talks about his appearance on Penn & Teller and some of his experiences coming up as a magician.
Overall a really captivating read!
March 6, 2022
I’m an amateur magician and have been for many years. As such, I’m pretty familiar with many of the well-known names in magic and Joshua Jay is certainly one of them. In the magic world, he is known as a prolific creator of effects and one who has a great many thoughts about the art and the artifice of magic.
Here he has written a book for laypeople about magic. He peels back the curtain a bit to let non-magicians into the world of magic. No secrets are told, of course, but Joshua’s love of magic come thru on every page, and he offers bits of wisdom to magician and non-magician alike.
Will this book turn a magic hater into a magic lover? Probably not. But if you’ve ever had any interest in magic, this is a great book to pick up.
Here he has written a book for laypeople about magic. He peels back the curtain a bit to let non-magicians into the world of magic. No secrets are told, of course, but Joshua’s love of magic come thru on every page, and he offers bits of wisdom to magician and non-magician alike.
Will this book turn a magic hater into a magic lover? Probably not. But if you’ve ever had any interest in magic, this is a great book to pick up.
October 9, 2021
Big fan of Joshua Jay. Have seen him perform in-person and virtually and he's great at making each person in the audience feel like an important part of the experience.
And continuing that approach, this book is very much written with the reader in mind.
52 essays, short, easy to understand, interesting, heavy on anecdotes, a few fun secrets, a lot of stories about the work of others.
If you're a fan of magic, I think you'll like this book.
And I think if you're a fan of something ... anything ... like Joshua Jay is of magic, you'll appreciate his passion for the subject, which totally comes through in the finished product here.
And continuing that approach, this book is very much written with the reader in mind.
52 essays, short, easy to understand, interesting, heavy on anecdotes, a few fun secrets, a lot of stories about the work of others.
If you're a fan of magic, I think you'll like this book.
And I think if you're a fan of something ... anything ... like Joshua Jay is of magic, you'll appreciate his passion for the subject, which totally comes through in the finished product here.
October 23, 2021
This is an insightful and interesting book about the place of magic and magicians in the 21st century broken down in to 52 chapters (see what the author did there?) Although supposedly written for non- magicians there is much for magicians to learn here. No tricks are explained but the world of magic is examined from the viewpoint of the critical modern audience. In some ways it reminded me of the earlier Will Dexter books and the descriptions of various magicians (David Copperfield, Juan Tamariz, David Williamson, Ricky Jay, Tommy Wonder etc) and places associated with magicians (The Magic Castle) are fascinating.
November 12, 2021
Joshua Jay is well known in the magic community. Readers outside of magic, and this is a good read for them, may be surprised to think that they haven't learned any of the secrets of magic, while, they have actually just learned the most important secrets of magic. Screw the masked idiot and his tv shows. He and his producers completely missed the point of magic. I noted somewhere that Jay interviewed him recently (yes, magician knew immediately who he was) and may have reconciled with him, but I haven't heard the interview yet. Anyway, Jay has produced a book well worth study by magicians, alongside, Ortiz, and Wonder.
January 3, 2023
I'm not a magician, but my older brother was - he and a friend made a good business doing magic shows for birthday parties and church gatherings, and his sleight of hand was really good - I could stand right with him and not see what he was doing.
So I've got a bit a personal connection here, and this book didn't disappoint me. It's modern and contemporary and mentions a lot of magicians I've never heard of ...it's also interesting because Jay (who narrates the book himself) uses "she" as his default pronoun: he would really like to see more female magicians and magicians "of color," and his choice of pronoun is perhaps his way of orienting his readers to the future he imagines.
So I've got a bit a personal connection here, and this book didn't disappoint me. It's modern and contemporary and mentions a lot of magicians I've never heard of ...it's also interesting because Jay (who narrates the book himself) uses "she" as his default pronoun: he would really like to see more female magicians and magicians "of color," and his choice of pronoun is perhaps his way of orienting his readers to the future he imagines.
January 27, 2025
This was a solid 3.5/5 star read for me as someone who dabbles a bit in magic. The personal stories about the author's life and experiences are great, but my main issue was that it felt a bit bloated. A theme throughout the book has to do with the importance of magicians cutting material to make the best bits really shine. I think if he had taken a similar approach to his writing and let go of some of these extra stories and miscellaneous commentary that end up feeling like filler, this could have been a 5 star read.
Overall definitely worthwhile to pick up if you're interested in magic or performance.
Overall definitely worthwhile to pick up if you're interested in magic or performance.
January 7, 2022
I don't really enjoy magic shows but it was curiosity that led me to select "How Magicians Think" by Joshua Jay. When it comes to books, my curiosity doesn't lead me astray too often and in this case, it was a good call.
I really enjoyed this book. It is about magic and magicians but there is so much that is applicable to anyone. The author does a great job of connecting and engaging. His story (and magician experiences) is unique and I did learn a lot to appreciate their craft. There were lessons to take away and yes, I do understand now why magic matters.
I really enjoyed this book. It is about magic and magicians but there is so much that is applicable to anyone. The author does a great job of connecting and engaging. His story (and magician experiences) is unique and I did learn a lot to appreciate their craft. There were lessons to take away and yes, I do understand now why magic matters.
March 7, 2022
I am a huge fan of Magic and Magicians, so I knew I would love this, but I feel this book would appeal to fans of a lot of different topics. If you like media and TV, there’s a good amount of discussion of the role of magic in those fields. If you like consumer psychology or marketing theory, there’s a lot of stuff in here you can sink your teeth into. There’s discussions of faith, truthfulness, history, and sociology. Joshua Jay has crested a one-of-a-kind magical artifact here: 52 short essays answering questions he commonly gets from curious fans. Highly recommended.
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