Three of magic’s most sought-after classics are finally available again. Each one of these books, considered separately, would be highly recommended. But taken together, this is a body of work for the ages. Tommy Wonder, John Carney, Jim Steinmeyer, Mike Caveney and others have extolled the virtues of The Fitzkee Trilogy, yet these books come up less frequently than they should. Why?
First, The Trick Brain has recently fallen out of favor with a minority of magic writers. I think this is unwarranted, as The Trick Brain is a fascinating read, and while you may not agree with Fitzkee’s scientific approach, you must at least admire his thought process, and his arguments therein.
Second, these books were only available in recent times in an ugly edition published be Lee Jacobs. This has been remedied, and the new edition has a modern layout that makes reading (and displaying) even more pleasant.
Third, the books were not commonly available. They have recently been reissued, and I suspect many articles, reviews, and magicians will be singing Fitzkee’s praises in the near future.
This book is a huge step in your path of magic. It is filled with answers to the deep, philosophical questions all magicians have, and each one will get you thinking in ways you hadn’t before.
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Magic By Misdirection applies the psychology of deception to the art of magic. The finest minds of magic have recognized it an important and monumental work on the subject. It makes clear the psychological devices and methods you can use to deceive your audience:
- Disguise
- Attention Control
- Simulation
- Dissimulation
- Interpretation
- Maneuver
- Pretense
- Ruse
- Anticipation
- Diversion
- Monotony
- Premature Consummation
- Confusion
- Suggestion... and others!
Fitzkee supplies practical examples in the form of tricks incorporating and utilizing these principles.
"My card on forehead would not be what it has become today if not for Magic By Misdirection." -Michael Finney
The Trick Brain was created as a tool to help magicians develop new tricks. It teaches you how to create the mechanics of an effect with the understanding that how an effect is accomplished is not as important as the effect itself.
The Trick Brain is no mere book of tricks. It incorporates one of the most amazing ideas ever developed in magic. Dariel Fitzkee reduces all magic tricks to only 19 general, basic effects. Then he examines all the possible ways of combining any of these effects. He shows how to develop new tricks from old and how to evolve new plots and methods.
Then, you are introduced to The Trick Brain--an ingenious system, devised by Fitzkee, that actually creates new effects... tells you what you will need to develop... actual things to use--and finally... how to do the trick--even suggesting alternate methods!
Use this astounding system to create original tricks and original shows, or use it to revise old tricks. Reclaim magic props you no longer use. All of this is contained in a beautifully printed, 316 page hardbound volume.
"The Trick Brain was definitely ahead of its time. It formalized a way of brainstorming, teaching the process... Whether you use Fitzkee's actual steps or just use them as inspiration, The Trick Brain lets you appreciate the way magic is created and definitely starts you thinking in new ways." -Jim Steinmeyer
In 199 hardbound pages, Showmanship for Magicians takes up the subject of presenting of magic to gain the greatest audience response, including a detailed analysis of spectator appeals and how to incorporate them into the presentation of magic. Step by step, you will learn how to create a favorable reception through choice of material, style of performance, character of work, timing, pointing, pacing, building up to climaxes, emphasis, routining, arrangement of material, and in many other ways. This is the classic tome of stage craft written by a showman ahead of his time.
Some of the subjects covered in the 25 important chapters are:
- Music
- Rhythm
- Youth
- Sex Appeal
- Personality
- Selling Yourself
- Color
- Harmony
- Sentiment
- Romance
- Surprise
- Unity
- Character
- Situation
- Costuming
- Grooming
- Make-Up
- Personal Behavior
- Confidence
- Rehearsal
- Physical Action
- Group Coordination
- Precise Attack
- Economy
- Brevity
- Punch
- Instinct
- Grace
- Effortless Skill
- Music
- Spectacle
- Contrast
- Comedy
- Getting and Holding Attention
- Types of Audiences
- and more!
"When I read showmanship for Magicians, it was the first time I had read a book where someone said you have to take a trick and make it yours; you have to make it fit your personality. That was fantastic! My magic life changed with the reading of that book." - Mike Caveney