The best single book on magic

[The Grate Amazmo]

I'm interested in what people think is the best single book on magic. My choice is clear. At one time I did EVERY effect in the book. Now I do all but four. The book includes close-up, stand-up and stage effects.

Here's what's in this slim volume.
Vernon's Card thru Hank
Hermann's Card on Ceiling
Lee Noble's Smoking Pipes
Al Baker's Rice Bowls
Jardine Ellis' Glass Production
Wally Dean's Glass of Wine Production
The Paddle Trick with an ordinary table knife
Sack's Dice Routine
An Ace Assembly including: Stanley Collin's Ace Routine, Cy Enfield's routine and Conradi's touch for the last Ace.
The Misers Dream
The Egg Bag
Jack Chanin's Billiard Ball Routine
Lee Noble's Razor Blade Trick
The Ambitious Card
The Cups and Balls including routines by Vernon, Charlie Miller's impromptu version and his penetration move. With touches by Franklin V. Taylor, Joe Berg, John Ramsey, Roy Benson and Don Allan.

Wow! What a book. What's your choice?

[Pete Biro]

Did I miss something? What is the book?

To me the first book I studied was the best as it put me onto the RIGHT WAY to do things... "Learn Magic" by Henry Hay.

After that?

Stars of Magic and the Dai Vernon Book of Magic.

[Ian Richards]

"Classic Secrets of Magic" by Bruce Elliot was the first book ever discussed in the Book of the Month section of this forum.

[Dustin Stinett]

Thanks for remembering, Ian. For those who missed it, here's a link:

http://geniimagazine.com/forum/cgi-bin/ ... 7;t=000003

Dustin

PS: If you go into the BoMC Forum and only see a couple of book threads, then you might want to consider adjusting your preferences because you are missing some that are available for your reading pleasure. Go to "My Profile" and then "View/Update Profile." The preferences are toward the bottom of the page. Change the "Default Topic View" to "show all topics." You should then be able to see all the threads in the BoMC!

[Guest]

While I'm curious as to which book good Mr. Marotta is referring to, my own vote would have to be for the Dia Vernon Book of Magic. I only wish I had found it sooner.

Zech Johnson

[Frank Yuen]

He is referring to Elliot's Classic Secrets of Magic.

Frank Yuen

[Glenn Farrington]

Henry Hay's "Amateurs Magician Handbook" gets my vote. I'm sure I'm not the only one that book set the magic hooks into.

[Dustin Stinett]

We covered that one too:

http://geniimagazine.com/forum/cgi-bin/ ... 7;t=000004

[Guest]

Just enjoyed reading the past thread on AMH. Deserved praise. THAT was the book in the public library that was serious. The chapter about buying apparatus magic, should be read before going into any magic store. HOWEVER, as far-reaching the author's works have had, for generations, when MAGIC magazine presented it's "Magic's most influential figures", Mr. Mussey did not get even ONE write in vote! How soon they forget who started them on their way.

[Dustin Stinett]

You are correct. Boy do I feel guilty now.

Dustin
(Can't even remember who his write-in was.)