The Theory and Practice of Magic Deception

A remarkable book has just appeared on the market, of use to practicing magicians and psychologists, written by a deep thinker and accomplished magician, Al Schneider. Titled "The Theory and Practice of Magic Deception," it describes unique insights, profound analysis, and highly practical prescriptions for doing magic tricks. Schneider is widely recognized in select circles of magicians as the inventor of "Matrix". His quiet personality and gentle manners (also well known to magicians around the world as is clear from magic cafe discussions) make him not particularly known to laypeople, and set him apart from many practitioners of the art of deception. However, admiration is always present in comments that magicians make about him. What he has produced as this book is mind-boggling.This is a book of 587 pages, a part 1 of more than 300 pages dealing with theory, and a part 2, the rest of the book, devoted to practice. The theory discussion occupies 17 chapters and touches upon foundations, history from the author's viewpoint, discussions, fiercely utilitarian as well as theoretical, of the expected topic of Misdirection, but also of two unexpected new realms not present in any similar book I know of. These are Types of Magic and what the author calls Assumptions. The practice part consists of the 18th chapter, "For Beginners Only," the last chapter of part 1 (which in my opinion should have been the first chapter of part 2), a chapter on a coin vanish originated by Schneider, one on an application of the vanish to a classic known as Expansion of Texture, and two more chapters on a novel trick called Zen Matrix.Who should read this book? According to the author in the Introduction, not "raw beginners or the lay public" but for "those that have about a year of experience." I think differently. I think even "raw beginners" will profit from (and should buy) this book. And I guarantee that advanced magicians who have thought about the craft will gain an enormous amount, in proportion to how much they have worried about the inner secrets of magic. In part this is like a graduate treatise on the subject and yet accessible to whosoever has put in some thinking of his/her own into the matter.There have been wonderful masters of misdirection such as Ramsay who practiced but apparently did not often verbalize his tenets, and Carney who follows the principles of Ramsay (see for instance his excellent book Carnucopia) and other great thinkers such as the Spanish magician Tamariz (see his books Magic Way as well as Five Points of Magic ). There have been books such as Strong Magic by Ortiz, Our Magic by Maskelyne and Devant, and Magic in Theory by Lamont and Wiseman. I can say with confidence that Schneider's discussions are every bit as deep as the deepest of these and vastly superior to most of them. You will find extensive discussions of misdirection in Schneider's book made quite practical for your use during performance. However, a special feature of Schneider's discussions is, as he says on his page 115, "Traditionally, misdirection is considered the power concept. This book purports that the use of a spectator's false assumptions are the power concept." An involved and highly original discussion then follows on the basis of his concept of Assumptions.I have never met the author and know him only through his written word. I am tremendously impressed by his conceptions, analysis, invention, and teaching. In chess one speaks of experts, masters who are at a higher level, and grandmasters who are the sensei of the game. Applying the terms to magic, I can undoubtedly say that Schneider is a grandmaster of magic--both for his brilliant ideas and penetration into the principles of magic, and his performance ability. An exposure to the latter is available at two places: his dvd set (available for purchase at L&L publishing) and in performance clips on the web at (...) and (...) . It is thus very easy to appreciate the results of the principles set forth in this book by watching the performances.I cannot imagine anyone connected with magic or psychology to go wrong by purchasing this book. Every magician or student of magic certainly should.

I am big fan of Al Schneider's magic - and his theories on sleight of hand and misdirection. He is not big into presentation but - his magic is very very impactful ! Check out Youtube for Al's performances of Matrix, Cone and Coin, and Osmosis (my favourite). Its very very good !His misdirection is more focused towards a more passive subconscious misdirection rather than look hereand cheat there. I really connected with his 5 steps of deception, making of assumptions and his rewinding theory. All fascinating stuff. I have read the book through once in detail, I am now reading it again, making notes. This book literally opened my eyes. When I look at magicians acts I look at it with completely different eyes.Yes there are a few spelling mistakes and the odd repetitions and what seems to be a contradiction here and there. But oh that's just splitting hairs.I give this book 4 stars, because its not perfect, but for me its very very close to being one of the best books written on magic theory I have ever read. Oh and I have ready about 8 or so books on Magic Theory. Maybe more cannot remember. Its nothing like the other books. Yes, there are a few similarities...The last part of the book takes you through e.g. the Al Schneider Vanish in painstaking detail as well as an expanded Matrix routine. He explains and teaches all the different nuances in painstaking detail.I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. Just buy it - you won't regret it. It WILL make you a better magician if you read it, try to understand, assimilate it and - and apply it !!!I can also recommend his DVDs Al Schneider Technique (Set of 3).

I've been doing layman's magic for 30 years and learned more I the first 10 pages than I did in all that time. Al Schneider has really figured out what makes great (not just good) magic. I don't care if you are a casual practitioner or a pro, if you want to get better at magic, this book will help you. It's been fun reading about his personal experiences, too.

Al Schneider is not your ordinary sleight of hand artist. Watch him on YouTube and I think you will agree. I been studying and performing coin sleights for well over 50 years, and I must say I've learned more from Mr. Schneider than I learned in the all the previous years. Check out this book and his other publications if you are at all interested in manipulative magic.

Wonderful book on magic theory. I recommend it.

Forget the rest, this is the best. Mr. Schneider teaches you how to perform Real Magic.nuff said. Get the book read, it, understand, and realize his message.I won't say more except that if you wish to be a real Magi, read this book.

I waited literally more than 20 years to find a book of this quality on this topic; I am glad to have found this excellent work.

Mr. Schneider is an interesting author. He's very analytical and precise, but has some ideas that don't quite work. And he acknowledges some of the inconsistencies....which is why I like to read hiim.