2015 Reprint of the 1944 edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software.  This is no mere book of tricks.  Fitzkee reduces all magic tricks to some nineteen general basic effects.  Then, one by one, he discusses All the possible ways of accomplishing any of these general effects.  He also starts suggesting ways of developing new tricks from old ones.   ‘“The Trick Brain” is the finest single achievement ever brought to the magic world….  It is a necessity for the intelligent magician”—Stuart Robson “An outstanding contribution to the literature of magic…  The best work on the theory of magic since Nevil Maskelyne”—Wilfred Jonson. “This work is of great value for magicians.  Whether or not the book is used for producing original magic, it should be read, reread and studied by every magician for a better understanding of what magic is and what magicians can do and can seem to do….  A most valuable book and completely necessary for every student of magic.”—John Mulholland, editor THE SPRINX.

The Trick Brain

Fitzkee, Dariel

Magic

2017 Reprint of 1943 Edition.  Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software.  Showmanship for Magicians is a treatise on the presentation of magic to achieve 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, arrangement of material, and more. This is a classic work on stage craft written by a master showman and theoretician.

Showmanship for Magicians

Magic Ltd

Magic by Misdirection

Literature & Fiction

2015 Reprint of 1945 Edition. Full Facsimile of the original edition. Not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. "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 much more. Fitzkee supplies practical examples in the form of tricks incorporating and utilizing these principles.

Humor & Entertainment

Puzzles & Games

Martino Fine Books

Martino Publishing

2017 Reprint of 1943 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. Showmanship for Magicians is a treatise on the presentation of magic to achieve 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, arrangement of material, and more. This is a classic work on stage craft written by a master showman and theoretician.

Arts & Photography

Performing Arts

First published in the US in 1945. "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 much more. Fitzkee supplies practical examples in the form of tricks incorporating and utilizing these principles.

Magic By Misdirection

Must Have Books

First published in the US in 1943. Showmanship for Magicians is a work by semi-professional magician and author Dariel Fitzkee. It is the first in the Fitzkee Trilogy, a classic collection that is still read widely by magicians, conjurors and illusionists alike. Fitzkee's early books were shorter works focused on specific magic tricks. Books like Cut and Restored Rope and Manipulation (1929) and Linking Ring Manipulation (1930) described multiple variations of these classic tricks. But his most enduring written works were the Fitzkee Trilogy, starting with Showmanship for Magicians. Many magicians throughout the second half of the 20th century have considered it to be a cornerstone work in the field, including the actor Steve Martin who was fanatical about magic as a young man. He described the book as "...more important to me than The Catcher in the Rye."

Showmanship for Magicians is a 1943 work by semi-professional magician and author Dariel Fitzkee. It is the first in the Fitzkee Trilogy, a classic collection that is still read widely by magicians, conjurors and illusionists alike. There is little information available on the life of Dariel Fitzkee outside of his written work. Born in Annawan, Illinois, in 1898 as Dariel Comp Fitzkee, he later changed his surname to Fitzroy during World War II. But he continued to write under the name Fitzkee throughout his life. Fitzkee's early books were shorter works focused on specific magic tricks. Books like Cut and Restored Rope and Manipulation (1929) and Linking Ring Manipulation (1930) described multiple variations of these classic tricks. Fitzkee was also a regular contributor to Genii Magazine, which is still published today. He wrote two recurring magic columns in the 1930s called "Thoughts are Things" and "Glimpses of Strange Shadows." Fitzkee also contributed a book and magazine review column called "Paper and Ink" that ran for over 12 years. For all of his analysis and study on the subject, it seems that success as a professional magician eluded him. Fitzkee is said to have had an unsuccessful touring act from 1939 to 1940, after which he stopped performing. But his most enduring written works were yet to come in the form of the Fitzkee Trilogy, starting with Showmanship for Magicians. Many magicians throughout the second half of the 20th century have considered it to be a cornerstone work in the field, including the actor Steve Martin who was fanatical about magic as a young man. He described the book as "...more important to me than The Catcher in the Rye." Fitzkee was frustrated with the quality of magic at the time of his writing. He felt that the mediocrity that dominated the stages did damage to the reputation of the entire field of magic. One of his biggest issues with magic in the 1940s was that its performers were still treating the trappings of the late 1800s as the "standard" for magic. Performers often dressed in out-of-date tuxedos, wearing top hats or turbans. They adorned the stage with old-fashioned round "Magician's tables" that had been popularized some 70 years before. Fitzkee felt that magic should be "...geared and attuned to the times" to keep it fresh and interesting for the audience. Fitzkee analyzes the components of other successful forms of entertainment, like film, sporting events, theater, opera, and more. He breaks these down into a list of 39 "Audience Appeals" - music, color, comedy, conflict, etc - that can then be incorporated into a magic performance. The second book in the Fitzkee Trilogy is The Trick Brain published in 1944. This work condenses all magic tricks into 19 basic effects, such as getting a solid item to penetrate another without damaging either. It also examines how to combine effects into new and updated tricks. The final book of the trilogy, Magic by Misdirection (1945), concerns the psychology of deception, or "the attack the magician makes upon the spectator's mind." The books were written in this order on purpose. Fitzkee felt that entertainment was the primary purpose of a magician. Whatever else an audience may expect, the first thing they expect is to be entertained. Then he gets into the mechanics of magic in The Trick Brain, helping the entertainer to hone his or her skill and create original tricks. And finally, in Magic by Misdirection, Fitzkee examines the mental aspects of magic, from both the magician and the spectator's point of view.

Mockingbird Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Fitzkee, Dariel. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Fitzkee, Dariel

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Fitzkee, Dariel. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Trick Brain

Showmanship for Magicians

Magic by Misdirection

Magic by Misdirection

The Trick Brain

Showmanship for Magicians

Magic By Misdirection

Showmanship for Magicians

The Trick Brain

Showmanship for Magicians