Abracadabra

Abracadabra
Author: Nathaniel Schiffman
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Total Pages: 442
Release: 2009-09-25
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 1615921249

Magicians use more than just mirrors, string, and sleight of hand to deceive their audience. Those who are masters at this trade have developed an arsenal of techniques to manipulate people. Every action and utterance on stage and off is precisely planned to achieve a specific effect. Abracadabra! is an insider's look at what goes on at a magic show, behind-the-scenes, and in the mind of the magician. 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. Lighthearted and informal, Abracadabra! will fascinate anyone interested in knowing how one person can control many. Included are hands-on experiments, magic tricks, and reader participation segments. You'll soon see that magicians don't just manipulate playing cards and animals; they manipulate you.

Secrets of the Sideshows

Secrets of the Sideshows
Author: Joe Nickell
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Total Pages: 426
Release: 2005-09-09
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0813171792

The carnival sideshows of the past have left behind a fascinating legacy of mystery and intrigue. The secrets behind such daring feats as fire-eating and sword swallowing and bizarre exhibitions of human oddities as "Alligator Boys" and "Gorilla Girls" still remain, only grudgingly if ever given up by performers and carnival professionals. Working alongside the performers, Joe Nickell blows the lid off these mysteries of the midway. The author reveals the structure of the shows, specific methods behind the performances, and the showmen's tactics for recruiting performers and attracting crowds. He also traces the history of such spectacles, from ancient Egyptian magic and street fairs to the golden age of P.T. Barnum's sideshows. With revealing insight into the personal lives of the men and women billed as freaks, Nickell unfolds the captivating story of the midway show.

The Magician's Apprentice

The Magician's Apprentice
Author: J.M. Snyder
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Total Pages: 27
Release: 2013-01-20
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1611529980

Devon Taylor helped fashion a local street magician called Harry Marvel into the well-known illusionist Harry Marvelous. In the seven years they’ve been together, Devon has worked alongside Harry onstage as his apprentice. To Devon, Harry is an incredibly sexy older man, and the love they share is nothing less than pure magic. But in today’s world, even children find it hard to believe in magic. When Devon overhears a teenager mocking Harry before a show, he invites the boy on stage to help out with Harry’s famous disappearing act. Unfortunately, the boy really does disappear on his way back to his seat after the performance. When the show is over, Devon and Harry find themselves confronted by security. Harry insists his illusions aren’t real, but does Devon know something Harry doesn’t?

The Magic Egg

The Magic Egg
Author: Frank Richard Stockton
Publisher: New York : Scribner's
Total Pages: 340
Release: 1908
Genre: Short stories, American
ISBN:

Boys' Life

Boys' Life
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 72
Release: 1975-12
Genre:
ISBN:

Boys' Life is the official youth magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. Published since 1911, it contains a proven mix of news, nature, sports, history, fiction, science, comics, and Scouting.

Experiencing the Magic of Art

Experiencing the Magic of Art
Author: Justin Schmit
Publisher: Virtualbookworm Publishing
Total Pages: 245
Release: 2006-03
Genre:
ISBN: 1589396413

This is the story of how a sculptor's quest to find the magic of art transformed his life and work. It documents the process through which he found his inner self and, in so doing, so reveals how each of us can come to know and understand our own unique artistic voice. The author explores myths and rituals and what psychologists, neural scientists, philosophers, poets, artists and mystics have told us about the world we create in our minds and how we can use this knowledge to enhance our experience of art. The reader is guided through the great art movements from the caves at Lascaux painted 30,000 years ago to Andy Warhol's "Brillo Box." The book is short, scholarly, easy to read and illustrated with dozens of the author's whimsical cartoons.

The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas

The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas
Author: Bob Sehlinger
Publisher: The Unofficial Guides
Total Pages: 554
Release: 2023-02-21
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 1628091401

Save time and money with in-depth reviews, ratings, and details from the trusted source for a successful Las Vegas vacation. How do some guests always seem to find the best restaurants, the best shows, the best hotels—and still come home with winnings in their pockets? Why do some guests pay full price for their visit when others can save hundreds of dollars? In Las Vegas, every minute and every dollar count. Your vacation is too important to be left to chance, so put the independent guide to Las Vegas in your hands and take control of your trip. The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas explains how Sin City works and how to use that knowledge to stay ahead of the crowd. Authors Bob Sehlinger and Seth Kubersky know that you want your vacation to be anything but average, so they employ an expert team of researchers to find the secrets, the shortcuts, and the bargains that are sure to make your vacation exceptional! Find out what’s available in every category, ranked from best to worst, and get detailed plans to make the most of your time in Las Vegas. Stay at a top-rated hotel, eat at the most acclaimed restaurants, and experience all the most popular attractions. Inside You’ll Find: Nearly 100 hotels and casinos described, rated, and ranked―the most offered by any guidebook―plus strategies for scoring the best room rate Reviews of more than 100 restaurants―a complete dining guide within the guide, plus the best buffets and brunches The best places to play for every casino game Almost 50 pages of gambling tips, including how to play, recognizing sucker games, and cutting the house advantage to the bone Critical reviews of more than 70 of Las Vegas’s best shows Complete coverage of the Las Vegas nightclub, bar, and lounge scene, with surefire advice on how to get into the most exclusive venues Detailed instructions for avoiding Strip and I-15 traffic gridlock In-depth descriptions and consumer tips on shopping and experiencing attractions Make the right choices to create a vacation you’ll never forget. The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas is your key to planning a perfect stay. Whether you’re putting together your annual trip or preparing for your first visit, this book gives you the insider scoop on hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and more.