Abracadabra!: Secret Methods Magicians & Others Use to Deceive Their Audience

Schiffman, Nathaniel [forward by Henry Gordon]

Published by Prometheus, Amherst, New York, 1997

About this Item

A fine collector's copy in like dust jacket of the first printing of the first edition of Shiffman's ground-breaking work on the art of deception. For the first time, the general public has been given access to the methods magician's use to misdirect and deceive the audience during the execution of their illusions. This book is not only for the magic fan. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in human psychology and the limits of our perception. "Nathaniel Schiffman explains the principles of deception, exposing those innocent-seeming motions that conceal vital actions from onlookers; how the conjurer uses misdirection of space and time to mislead the audience; how silly and simple optical illusions can fool us, and what to look for during a magic show. Also explored in detail is the world of off-stage magic. Some "magicians" use various techniques in life to deceive and influence you, yet these magicians don't boast of their magic talent, because they are advertisers, politicians, army commanders, spies, con artists, computer programmers, movie directors, faith healers, psychics, and others. These "magicians" work to make you buy their product, believe in their cause, and influence your thinking from the time you get up in the morning, until you go to bed at night. This is not a "how to" book for aspiring magicians, but a layperson's guide to methods used to mislead or fool you" (from the publisher).

Seller Inventory # 455

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Abracadabra!: Secret Methods Magicians & Others Use to Deceive Their Audience
• Publisher: Prometheus, Amherst, New York
• Publication Date: 1997
• Binding: 8vo
• Edition: First edition, 1st printing.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • NonFiction