An Essay on Magic

Between 1998-2000 Robert E. Neale wrote three important books, each one on a topic that is central to magicians: illusion, wonder, and magic itself.

An Essay on Magic is the third book in this long-awaited, highly acclaimed TRILOGY OF MAGIC. In these pages Bob Neale articulates his important, influential general theory of magic. The theory both explains and celebrates the artful work of magicians by showing how stage magic grows out of everyday human needs and desires. Bob Neale also shows how his theory can help magicians create performances with greater significance and lasting impact.

An Essay on Magic includes 38 of Bob Neale's innovative magic routines, all of which are published here for the first time. Each routine comes with a fully developed presentation. As an extra bonus, this book includes Very Small Worlds - a separate manuscript that develops two powerful new principles for astonishing magic with playing cards.

Praise for Books 1 and 2 of Bob Neale's Trilogy of Magic:

Robert Neale has done something important for the art of magic. [In The Magic of Celebrating Illusion] he has given us a book full of ways and means by which we can see past our self-imposed illusions in order to more clearly see the real magic which exists in the world.... Long live Robert Neale.Michael Weber

Bob Neale is a wonder.... His ideas are arresting. His insights stretch your mind and make you shake your head with awe, wonder, and respect. And his magic routines are what Mozart would applaud with glee.Barrie Richardson

Paperback: 516 pages. Edited with an extensive introduction by Lawrence Hass. 62 illustrations by Kiva Singh.