Mulholland provides illustrated instructions for mastering scores of magical feats: card tricks relying on an easy memory device, extemporaneous tricks such as making a coin vanish and then reappear in a bread roll, tricks for entertaining youngsters, magical thought transference, and other exploits of mystifying wizardry.

Magic has entranced public forums for hundreds of years, predating many other forms of entertainment that we enjoy today. This ancient art, with its captivating illusions and seemingly impossible sleight of hand, is still as relevant today as ever. Originally published in 1935, master magician John Mulholland’s Story of Magic is a delightful tour through the progression of magic, from its origin to the book’s contemporary period. It offers insights and reflections on famous routines and tricks, black-and-white photographs and illustrations to give readers visual reference, as well as informative facts that weave together a timeline of events for those interested in the history of magic. With a brand-new foreword written by renowned master magician and historian Ben Robinson, this timeless classic will enchant readers and educate them on the art of magic.

Magic has entranced public forums for hundreds of years, predating many other forms of entertainment that we enjoy today. This ancient art, with its captivating illusions and seemingly impossible sleight of hand, is still as relevant today as ever. Originally published in 1935, master magician John Mulholland’s Story of Magic is a delightful tour through the progression of magic, from its origin to the book’s contemporary period. It offers insights and reflections on famous routines and tricks, black-and-white photographs and illustrations to give readers visual reference, as well as informative facts that weave together a timeline of events for those interested in the history of magic. With a brand-new foreword written by renowned master magician and historian Ben Robinson, this timeless classic will enchant readers and educate them on the art of magic.

"THE MAGICIAN: John Mulholland s Secret Life" is drawn from never-before-seen documents and many unpublished photographs. It will appeal to readers of theatre, magic and war history. It comes with a foreword by the legendary Dr. John N. Booth, who writes: ""Ben Robinson has thoughtfully and beautifully synthesized the pile of personal notes and documents which is the legacy passed from John Mulholland to Milbourne Christopher, to Maurine Christopher and finally to author Robinson. No better foundation exists for learning what made John Mulholland into magic s most influential voice in the 20th century. This book tells that story."" John Mulholland (1898-1970) edited the magician s magazine "The Sphinx" for 23 years, ending the publication to be consultant to the newly born CIA in 1953. His assignments included working with billionaires and inventors, cracking codes and delving into the clandestine world of ESP research, LSD use and the secret MK-ULTRA world headed by the notorious Dr. Sidney Gottlieb. During this period, CIA Dr. Frank Olson died the day after Thanksgiving, 1953. This book examines Mulholland s role during this dramatic period in the CIA s history and goes against the current trend of accusing Mulholland as having a role in Olson s fatal fall from a hotel window. John Mulholland was The World s Master Magician. He performed in forty-two countries, authored ten books and performed at the Roosevelt White house eight times. His 90-minute stage show was carried in two suitcases and included impersonations of authentic Hindu and Chinese mysteries. Theatre critics spoke about him as they did a great actor. John Mulholland was an intellectual patriot who provided an essential component of counter espionage during the Cold War s Red Scare. "THE MAGICIAN: John Mulholland s Secret Life" is the first biography of the man Dr. John N. Booth defines in his Foreword as the most influential voice of the art of magic in the 20th century.

Magic or spycraft? In 1953, against the backdrop of the Cold War, the CIA initiated a top-secret program, code-named MKULTRA, to counter Soviet mind-control and interrogation techniques. Realizing that clandestine officers might need to covertly deploy newly developed pills, potions, and powders against the adversary, the CIA hired America's most famous magician, John Mulholland, to write two manuals on sleight of hand and undercover communication techniques. In 1973, virtually all documents related to MKULTRA were destroyed. Mulholland's manuals were thought to be among them—until a single surviving copy of each, complete with illustrations, was recently discovered in the agency's archives. The manuals reprinted in this work represent the only known complete copy of Mulholland's instructions for CIA officers on the magician's art of deception and secret communications.

A collection of tricks from countries around the world, with instructions for tricks, facts and anedotes about magic and magicians and suggestions for planning a magic show.