Secret books of magic hold a certain allure, captivating readers with their whispers of arcane knowledge and hidden power. These clandestine tomes have been revered throughout history, believed to contain the secrets of ancient mystics and sorcerers. The allure lies not only in the possibility of wielding incredible power but also in the perception of entering a realm inaccessible to the average person. Throughout history, various secret books of magic have emerged, each claiming to possess the key to unlocking extraordinary abilities. These texts have traveled through time, carrying the wisdom and techniques of ancient cults, secret societies, and elusive magical practitioners. Sometimes written in code or encrypted with cryptic symbols, these books sought to protect their knowledge from falling into the wrong hands.
Seventeen-year-old Sophia is a math genius, so surely she’ll be on easy street after graduation.
Told in a dual narrative, this opposites-attract, young adult rom-com offers plenty of laughs as Joshua stumbles again and again to impress the most skeptical audience that magic has ever met Sophia. Even today, when we now take the most sophisticated technology for granted, we can still be astonished by tricks that were performed hundreds of years ago.
Sometimes written in code or encrypted with cryptic symbols, these books sought to protect their knowledge from falling into the wrong hands. The **main idea** behind secret books of magic is the belief that they hold the key to unlocking hidden knowledge and extraordinary powers. These books promise access to the arcane arts, providing a glimpse into a secret world where reality and fantasy merge.
Classic Secrets of Magic (book) – Bruce Elliott
One of the best out of print magic books you can find.
Bruce Elliott has a vast knowledge of magic, and writes with precision and clarity on twelve great magic classics, Misers Dream, Four Aces, Cups and Balls, Egg Bag, Razor Blades, Billiard Balls, Paddle Tricks and others. Filled with ideas of presentation.
From it you can build a very creditable, entertaining, and magical close-up and/or stand-up (cabaret/club, stage/platform) act. Nothing else is needed but a few props (cards, coins, etc.)!
In it is just about the only easily found and clearly written published version of Roy Benson’s “Bowl” routine (the Don Alan handling at that!).
There is also Roy Benson’s version of the “Egg Bag”.
It also has perhaps the most elegant and beautiful “Misers Dream” found anywhere. It is fairly easy and can be done surrounded. This is the brilliant Club performer Wally Dean’s version. Mr. Dean starts with the production of a wine glass full of wine and then uses the wine glass as the “bucket” to drop the magically produced coins into. This is after the wine is drunk of course (to prove it real)! Sadly Mr. Dean is pretty much unknown to most of today’s magicians.
The book also has a very capable “Billiard Ball” routine and a nice “Cups and Balls” routine (that is the traditional three cups and balls version) as well as an impromptu coffee cup cups and balls.
Plus it has the “Razor Blade”
A trick called the “Corncob Pipes”. This is a trick where you get volumes of smoke from two pipes without flame or tobacco. It is a smoke from nowhere! I used to buy the corncob pipes by the gross and go through a couple of gross a year. Maybe not as relevant today as when the book was written.
In terms of close-up you get a solidversion of the “Ambitious Card”, a couple of versions of four object assemblies including aces and coins.
It has a number of paddle trick using match sticks, table or butter knives, and a business card that magically prints itself, and includes the “Dr. Sack’s Dice Routine”.
It explains a version of the Rice Bowls and has the already mentioned wine glass production (from a hank).
The book is clearly written by Bruce Elliott and illustrated nicely by Dr. Stanley Jaks.
If the value of a magic book is measured by getting “just one useable trick” then this has been my most valuable book.
You will find plenty of relevant material to make this book a very worthwhile investment.
208 pages, Hardbound
The copies are “New Old Stock” and the dust jackets show some wear from being stored all those years.
One of the best out of print magic books you can find.
They fuel our imagination and stir our curiosity, enticing us to explore the depths of a forbidden realm. The allure of secret books of magic can be traced back centuries. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, possessed texts filled with incantations and rituals, believed to possess the power to influence the supernatural. In medieval Europe, grimoires gained popularity, claiming to hold the secrets of demonology, alchemy, and divination. The Renaissance era saw the emergence of texts such as the "Picatrix" and "Arbatel," promising the acquisition of magical powers through the understanding of celestial influences and communication with celestial beings. However, the **reality** of these secret books of magic may not live up to the mystique surrounding them. Some texts are undoubtedly hoaxes, created to deceive and capitalize on people's fascination with the occult. Others may contain symbolic or allegorical teachings, meant to guide spiritual or psychological growth rather than literal magical power. Additionally, some secret texts were likely destroyed over time, lost to history or kept hidden by their custodians to maintain their exclusivity. Nonetheless, the allure of secret books of magic persists, as they continue to capture our imagination and feed our desire for the extraordinary. Whether these texts hold genuine arcane knowledge or not, their existence and the mystique surrounding them serves as a reminder of humanity's eternal longing for something beyond the mundane. They represent a gateway to a world where anything is possible, where the boundaries of reality blur, and where the power of our imagination can transcend the limits of the everyday..
Reviews for "The Magic of Words: Exploring the Incantations in Secret Books"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - "I was really disappointed with Secret Books of Magic. I found the storyline to be dull and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. Additionally, the writing style felt forced and unnatural. I couldn't connect with the story or the characters, and I was left feeling bored and uninterested. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read."
2. John - 1 star - "Secret Books of Magic was a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and lacked coherence. The author seemed to be trying too hard to make the story mysterious and complex, but it only resulted in confusion and frustration. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was also very inconsistent, making it difficult to follow along. I regret picking up this book and would not recommend it to anyone."
3. Emily - 2 stars - "I didn't enjoy Secret Books of Magic as much as I had hoped. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on for too long. The magical elements felt forced and didn't blend well with the overall narrative. The main protagonist was underdeveloped and didn't evolve throughout the book. Additionally, the climax was underwhelming and didn't provide a satisfying resolution. Overall, this book failed to capture my interest and left me feeling underwhelmed."
4. David - 1 star - "Secret Books of Magic was a letdown. The characters were cliché and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The plot twists were predictable and didn't offer anything new or exciting. The writing style was also choppy and lacked flow, making it a struggle to engage with the story. I was hoping for a riveting journey into the world of magic, but I was left with a boring and uninspiring read instead. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable fantasy novel."