I recall hearing some time ago that, aside from religion, more books, periodicals and pamphlets on magic have been published than any other subject. I have not been able to confirm that or even find a reference that could shed any light on it. any thoughts?
Kevin
magic books publishing history
- Richard Kaufman
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Re: magic books publishing history
I very much doubt it, but as you note, there is no verifiable source.
In recent years there's been a seemingly endless parade of music tutors, particularly for guitar. The flow has likely tapered off a bit thanks to the everywhere-you-look video tutors.
Cookbooks are up there with the best of them. And they're not dissimilar to Magic tomes. Here's a few ingredients (sleights), mix 'em up and serve.
In recent years there's been a seemingly endless parade of music tutors, particularly for guitar. The flow has likely tapered off a bit thanks to the everywhere-you-look video tutors.
Cookbooks are up there with the best of them. And they're not dissimilar to Magic tomes. Here's a few ingredients (sleights), mix 'em up and serve.
Re: magic books publishing history
I strongly suspect this might be true but I have also been told that books on Chess are a strong contender.
Re: magic books publishing history
You are talking about performance magic, not occult/religious/mythological magic? Go to your local library, (or Library of Congress) or bookstore, and the number of books (now or before) on magic compared to historical events, historical people, any of the arts and the contrast is obvious. Whoever said that was uniformed, overly enthusiastic, PR oriented for magic...who knows? A lot of subjects will beat magic easily.
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Re: magic books publishing history
I think it’s pretty sad that in mainstream bookstores and public libraries our magic is relegated to a small corner cubbyhole under puzzles/games/humor and the children’s section.
Within the magic community there is definitely a continual increased output of material. Just check the major online magic distributors every day to see the growing list of added stuff to buy.
Maybe from the inside it seems that way. From the perspective of the past, we definitely have more to chew on now than before. Maybe that was what the initial post was referring to.
Within the magic community there is definitely a continual increased output of material. Just check the major online magic distributors every day to see the growing list of added stuff to buy.
Maybe from the inside it seems that way. From the perspective of the past, we definitely have more to chew on now than before. Maybe that was what the initial post was referring to.
- katterfelt0
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Re: magic books publishing history
Leo Garet wrote:I very much doubt it, but as you note, there is no verifiable source.
In recent years there's been a seemingly endless parade of music tutors, particularly for guitar. The flow has likely tapered off a bit thanks to the everywhere-you-look video tutors.
Cookbooks are up there with the best of them. And they're not dissimilar to Magic tomes. Here's a few ingredients (sleights), mix 'em up and serve.
And gardening. And health/nutrition. And...
Effect and method are inextricably linked.
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Re: magic books publishing history
I recall hearing some time ago that, aside from religion, more books, periodicals and pamphlets on magic have been published than any other subject.
I have a feeling that statements like this get distorted over time. I would be more inclined to believe it had it said "than any other hobby," or something like that. (Which is how I first heard it).
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All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity.
Re: magic books publishing history
I remember at the time around Doug Henning I was astonished at the amount of magic books being sold in regular bookshops in Toronto. Several shelves in fact. Now you might see 3 books if you are very lucky. However, I do think and have often thought that there may well be more books on magic published than any other subject. You just don't see them in public bookshops or libraries (which I consider a good thing).
There are an incredible amount of magic books around. Maybe people don't read them any more but they are certainly there.
There are an incredible amount of magic books around. Maybe people don't read them any more but they are certainly there.
Re: magic books publishing history
It can sometimes be from where you're standing, (and looking) or again, just hopeful/optimism/PR thinking. I remember about 20+ years ago, a former president of The Magic Circle said in a TV documentary about magic, "That magic is now the most popular entertainment in the world." I thought, what about popular, (hip hop, rap, pop, whatever) music? Movies/TV/computer gaming?