Abracadabra! Secret Methods Magicans & Others Use to Decieve Their Audience - Nathan Schiffman - Joe Stevens Estate
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Collection: All Products, Antiques/Estate, Stevens Estate, Type Book
Abracadabra! is a fascinating exploration of the principles behind magic and deception, written by Nathaniel Schiffman, a magic enthusiast and writer from East Brunswick, NJ. Rather than a traditional "how-to" guide for learning tricks, it's a layperson's primer on the psychology, techniques, and strategies magicians (and non-magicians) use to manipulate perceptions and influence behavior. Schiffman draws on his deep dive into magic literature, performances, and practice to demystify the "arsenal of techniques" that make illusions possible, extending the discussion to real-world "off-stage" deceivers like advertisers, politicians, spies, con artists, faith healers, and psychics. The book is lighthearted yet insightful, blending explanations of stagecraft with hands-on experiments, simple tricks, and reader participation to show how everyday actions can fool the eye and mind.
Key themes include:
- Misdirection: How magicians divert attention through space, time, and subtle gestures to hide key actions.
- Optical Illusions: Simple visual tricks that exploit the brain's shortcuts.
- Theatrical Planning: Every word, movement, and prop is choreographed for maximum effect.
- Broader Applications: How these methods shape consumer choices, political beliefs, and social influence from morning to night.
1997 HC 1stEd - DJ lamination wrinkled on front panel - Price written on front flyleaf, Ephemera: Prometheus Books flier - Very Good Cond
