The New Greater Magic by Walter B. Gibson and Jean Hugard

Created by: Walter B. Gibson, Jean Hugard

The New Greater Magic is a foundational book in magic literature, offering a comprehensive collection of classic and refined tricks across various types including close-up, parlour, and stage magic. It covers card magic, coin magic, mentalism, and more, with detailed explanations of effects like Dai Vernon’s Triumph (a card trick where a selected card mysteriously rights itself among face-down cards), Coins Across (coins visually travel from one hand to another), Cylinder and Coins (a coins-through-table routine), Folded Card (a card visibly changes state, such as folding or unfolding), Breadcrumbs (a rare mentalism effect inspired by René Lavand involving poetic narrative and object manipulation), and the Cups and Balls (a classic routine where balls vanish and reappear under cups). Buyers should know this book emphasizes deep study, iterative refinement, and effect-first performance philosophy, making it ideal for magicians seeking to master timeless routines and enhance their audience impact through clean methods and motivated actions.

Key features

  • Comprehensive collection of classic magic tricks and routines

  • Emphasis on iterative refinement and deep study for mastery

  • Focus on effect-first decisions and cutting procedural clutter

  • Includes routines from renowned magicians like Dai Vernon and René Lavand

  • Suitable for various skill levels, from beginners to advanced performers

  • Promotes a philosophy of audience engagement and honest timing

Pros

  • Provides a curriculum in magical thinking with well-explained routines

  • Encourages long-term practice and mastery through structured learning

  • Enhances performance by focusing on audience experience and clear effects

  • Includes rare tricks like Breadcrumbs with detailed reconstructions

Cons

  • May require significant time investment for full comprehension and practice

  • Some routines could be complex for absolute beginners without prior knowledge

Effect

The New Greater Magic is a book that teaches magic tricks. It contains detailed instructions for classic routines. Readers learn methods for making objects appear, disappear, and change. The effects are direct and visual for the audience.

Full details

The New Greater Magic is a comprehensive magic book. It includes explanations for many foundational tricks. R. Paul Wilson selected it as his desert island book. This indicates its lasting value and depth of content. The book covers a wide range of magic principles and routines. It serves as a complete curriculum for magical thinking. The material is structured to build a magician's skill over time.

Who should consider the trick

This book is for magicians who want to study classic magic. It is suitable for those who value deep study over shortcuts. R. Paul Wilson's endorsement suggests it is for performers seeking powerful, refined routines. It is ideal for magicians who want to build a strong foundation in magic. The book helps magicians who aim to make their audience care about the magic.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty of the tricks varies. The book contains material for different skill levels. Learning from it requires commitment and practice. R. Paul Wilson emphasizes that real work makes magic powerful. He compares the learning process to mastering a musical instrument. This structured practice is necessary for competence and confidence. The book encourages magicians to refine their techniques through iteration.

What magicians say

R. Paul Wilson recommends The New Greater Magic for its comprehensive content. He states it is a key resource for his magical philosophy. Wilson argues against procedural clutter and for clear effects. He believes the book helps create conditions where the spectator feels the miracle. His approach involves tightening language and cutting unnecessary steps. Wilson uses the book to teach how to make routines land with an audience. He promotes deep study and refinement of the material inside.

What people are saying about The New Greater Magic

AlakazamMagicUK says...

The real work is what makes magic powerful, with clear effects, honest timing, and an audience that subconsciously edits your performance in real-time. [...] Relentless iteration and refinement transform a trick from merely doable to devastatingly effective.

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