Magic Tricks

This is the sequel to Michael's first book, The Five Roads to Vegas, and has just over 50 pages of relatively self-working magic (Breggar prefers the term auto-magic) with some great presentation ideas.

Once again the tricks that are taught have two important bookends that are well worth reading, including a brief introduction that has some helpful things to say about self-working magic. The book concludes with another essay entitled "Stuff You Don't Want To Read But Really Should", in which Michael explains his own approach to producing new magic effects, by starting with the presentation, and then working backwards by considering the method.

The opening trick that gave the book its title is a real highlight, and offers a fresh approach to Paul Curry's classic "Out Of This World", where the spectator sorts out the red and black cards face-up while blindfolded, only to discover that they have actually sorted out cards with two different coloured backs. The surprising revelation of a card in "Drawn Conclusion" is also a favourite for many, including the author himself. But I especially loved the ingenious use of the 10-20 force in combination with a blank deck in "A Whole Empty Brain". Besides these three tricks, there's another half a dozen solid routines, including a book test, and a trick with a collection of mini cell phones with cartoon Emojis.

Michael has a very conversational writing style that makes this a fun read. I especially recommend this book to anyone who is interested in some novel presentation ideas, and who enjoys magic that is easy on sleights and big on presentation.