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The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Henry Hay

Created by: Henry Hay

The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Henry Hay is a comprehensive guide for beginners and seasoned magicians alike, covering a wide range of magic types including close-up, cards, coins, mentalism, and more. It uniquely starts with harder material to build confidence, teaching the basics of magic, misdirection, and the psychology behind why magic works. The book also includes sections on mental magic, children's magic, and performing on a platform, making it a versatile resource for magicians.

Key features

  • Starts with harder material to build confidence

  • Covers a wide range of magic types

  • Includes sections on mental magic and children's magic

  • Teaches the psychology behind magic

  • Affordable and widely available

Pros

  • Comprehensive coverage of magic types

  • Unique approach to teaching by starting with harder material

  • Includes valuable psychology and misdirection lessons

  • Affordable and easy to find

Cons

  • Some props mentioned are outdated (e.g., thimble magic, cigarette tricks)

  • May be challenging for absolute beginners due to the initial difficulty level

What people are saying about The Amateur Magician's Handbook

EruditeMagic says...

The key thing about this book that sets it apart from a lot of the others is the order in which he teaches you the magic... purposefully starts you with harder material things that are going to require more work and practice so that you realize that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Review videos