Magic by Theory by Daniel Skahen

As the title suggests, this is a pure work about theory, but not old and dusty thoughts, instead a fresh and new look by Daniel Tyler. Certainly you will find topics which are as old as magic, such as 'the merit of gimmicks' and 'misdirection', but you will also find a chapter dealing with 'where to shop', which is up-to-date and includes places on the internet. This chapter alone can save you a multiple of the price of this ebook. Or what about 'getting the girl' or 'how to admire Blaine, but be yourself' - all topics that Daniel discusses. You might be shocked to hear that Daniel is just eighteen years old. If he wouldn't mention this fact in his introduction you would expect the author to be about twice as old. His thoughts and comments are very well presented and argued. You will learn something new. Don't pass this very readable ebook up.

2nd edition, 2004.

1. INTRODUCTION
2. PART ONE: THE MAGICIAN'S TRANSITION
2. FIRST SHIFT IN THINKING
3. MAKING IT COUNT
4. FINDING YOUR STYLE
5. HOW TO ADMIRE BLAINE, BUT BE YOURSELF
6. THE MERIT OF GIMMICKS
7. FLOURISHES
8. PART TWO: THE UNDERLYING SKILLS
8. WHERE TO SHOP
9. PRACTICING
10. ROUTINING
11. ROUTINING II
12. CREATING MAGIC
13. PART THREE: ALL ABOUT LAYMEN
13. THE SPECTATORS
14. SWITCHING GEARS
15. GETTING THE GIRL
16. DEALING WITH HECKLERS
17. PART FOUR: THE PERFORMING ART
17. PATTER
18. IMPROVISATION
19. MISDIRECTION
20. ANTICIPATION
21. ALL ABOUT HUMOR
22. PART FIVE: IN THE FIELD
22. GETTING YOURSELF PAID
23. COOLING THE NERVES
24. THE PUBLIC APPROACH
25. CLOSING THOUGHTS