HOW MAGICIANS THINK: MISDIRECTION, DECEPTION, AND WHY MAGIC MATTERS by Joshua Jay

The door to magic is closed, but not locked.

And now Joshua Jay, one of the world’s most talented magicians, not only opens that door but also brings us inside to reveal the artistry, obsession, history, and long-hidden traditions.

And he goes one step further: Joshua Jay takes us straight into the mind of a magician—how they develop their otherworldly skills, conjure illusions, and leave the rest of us, time and again, with jaws dropping in delight. Along the way, Jay reveals yet another kind of secret, one that all readers will find meaningful, even if they never intend to pursue magic: what does it take to follow your heart and achieve excellence?

In 52 short, compulsively readable essays, Jay describes how he does it, whether it’s creating illusions, the psychology behind them, or the way technology influences the world of magic. He explores the aesthetics of performance, discusses contemporary masters, including David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, and David Blaine, and describes how magicians hone their craft. And he answers questions like: Can a magic trick be too good? How did you saw a person in half? Is there real magic in the universe? The answers, like so much in magic and life, depend on you.