If you ever have the opportunity to share magic in Japan (or with a Japanese magician) you will be amazed at just how different western and eastern styles of magic really are. If I had to describe Japanese magic in one word, it would be “topological.”

What happens when five superb Japanese magicians each contribute five effects for a book written by Richard Kaufman and illustrated by Ton Onosaka? Five Times Five, the Japan edition!

This book has a somewhat historic value to me, since it not only goes over the workings of sleights and effects, but also covers the history and various handlings. Richard Kaufman also has a small essay on what has become generally known as the Convincing Control, discussing the move's history...

The staggering amount of strong material in this thin but dense volume makes it a perennial favorite on EVERYONE’s list. Ask ANYBODY for his or her favorite magic books, and this one will be near the top.   Why? Because Williamson has a rare gift for plot innovations. Take the Card to Pocket...