In this personal journey through a unique performing art, David Copperfield profiles some of the world's most groundbreaking magicians. From the sixteenth-century magistrate who wrote an early book on conjuring, to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her bare hands, David Copperfield's History of Magic takes you on a wild journey through the remarkable feats of some of the greatest magicians in history. The result is a sweeping tale that reveals how these astonishing performers were outsiders who used magic to escape class, challenge conventions, transform popular culture, explore the innermost workings of the human mind, and inspire scientific discovery. Their incredible stories are complemented by more than 100 never-before-seen photographs of artifacts from Copperfield's exclusive Museum of Magic, including a sixteenth-century manual on sleight-of-hand; Houdini's straitjackets, handcuffs, and water torture chamber; Dante's famous sawing-in-half apparatus; Alexander's high-tech turban that allowed him to read people's minds; and even some coins that may have magically passed through the hands of Abraham Lincoln. By the end of the book, you'll be sure to share Copperfield's passion for the power of magic. --

"The ultimate guide to mastering the art of magic." —Business Insider "A must-have for any aspiring magician." —Mashable Learn to perform 50 unbelievable magic tricks that will impress and astonish any audience! Features QR codes with links to trick videos for easy learning and visual aid! This delightful book reveals some of magic's best-kept secrets, showing you step-by-step exactly how the tricks are done from multiple angles. Learn easy-yet-mystifying card tricks, awe-inspiring coin tricks, mentalism tricks for reading someone's mind, deceptive bets, and amazing visual tricks that you can do with everyday objects, including how to: Make a pen disappear Levitate a dollar Send a cup through a table Tear a napkin and restore it to its original state Put a need through a balloon without popping it Crack an apple open with your bare hands And more! In addition to these jaw-dropping tricks, this book provides readers with: QR Codes with trick videos for visual aid Practice and performance tips Jokes to use when performing Additional resources And more! Ultimately, by the end of this book not only will you know fifty mind-blowing magic tricks, but you will also know exactly how to perform them confidently. The book is the perfect gift for aspiring magicians or anyone who wants to impress their family and friends!

Workers in cultural industries often say that the best part of their job is the opportunity for creativity. At the same time, profit-minded managers at both traditional firms and digital platforms exhort workers to “be creative.” Even as cultural fields hold out the prospect of meaningful employment, they are marked by heightened economic precarity. What does it mean to be creative under contemporary capitalism? And how does the ideology of creativity explain workers’ commitment to precarious jobs? Michael L. Siciliano draws on nearly two years of ethnographic research as a participant-observer in a Los Angeles music studio and a multichannel YouTube network to explore the contradictions of creative work. He details how such workplaces feature engaging, dynamic processes that enlist workers in organizational projects and secure their affective investment in ideas of creativity and innovation. Siciliano argues that performing creative labor entails a profound ambivalence: workers experience excitement and aesthetic engagement alongside precarity and alienation. Through close comparative analysis, he presents a theory of creative labor that accounts for the roles of embodiment, power, alienation, and technology in the contemporary workplace. Combining vivid ethnographic detail and keen sociological insight, Creative Control explains why “cool” jobs help us understand how workers can participate in their own exploitation.

Learn magic and performance skills with 25 astounding magic tricks! Want to learn how to levitate a coffee cup? Magically double your money? Become a mind reader? Discover the secrets to these tricks and more in Magic Tricks for Kids. Watch jaws drop as you perform these wonderful illusions using simple, step-by-step instructions and homemade props. Gain confidence with easier tricks at the start of the book before moving on to more complex magic tricks that require sleight-of-hand skills. Finally, learn some spellbinding card tricks and how to make items appear out of thin air! You'll wow your family and friends while learning the art of a mesmerizing performance. Magic Tricks for Kids includes: DIY magic—All the magic tricks use simple household objects, making them easy to perform anytime. A chapter on magical crafts also shows you how to make a magic wand, a magic box, and a magic table to help you put on fantastic shows at home. The code—Learn the respected "Magician's Code," including the most important rule—never reveal how the trick is done. More than magic—With sample scripts to go along with each trick, you'll learn the art of patter—injecting your performance with comedy, suspense, and surprise! With Magic Tricks for Kids, you'll blow minds and astonish your friends.

Welcome to the world of magic! A small journey, which will help you learn secrets to incredible magic tricks. My personal explanations will help you entertain and delight your friends and family. Are you a young person interested in learning some cool tricks to show your friends? Or perhaps a businessman interested in breaking the ice with clients? Why not learn a few cool things to show them? Whether 8 or 80, the tricks contained within these pages are meant to help spark your interest in this amazing art we refer to as "magic". The best part about the tricks is that they are designed to be as easy as possible! Make Money Disappear, Read Minds, Plus More! See what it takes to enhance your magical skill and knowledge by reading through interviews with professionals such as Lance Burton, Jason Byrne, and more. Learn what motivates them and advice you can use to become the next star! Join International Magician Eddy Ray in a magical journey that will help you learn amazing magic tricks in just minutes!

Is it magic? Or is it science? Amaze family and friends with these 50 science experiments designed to work as magic tricks! Make a flame jump from candle to candle, create a cloud in a bottle, and keep water from pouring out of an upside-down container in this exciting science book for kids! Young magicians will thrill to these age-appropriate tricks—and gain confidence in their scientific knowledge and abilities at the same time. Science Magic Tricks for Kids features: 50 magic tricks based on science for kids ages 8−12 using common household materials A new way of learning science, with clear explanations of the scientific principles behind the magic Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and a helpful photo for every trick Detailed directions for putting on a spectacular magic show “Ask the Audience” questions that help kids involve their audience (and learn the science before the performance) “Run with It!” sections that suggest ways to try each trick with different materials and instructions: How will the results of the trick change? Written by the owner and founder of STEAMboat Studio, a children’s education center dedicated to bringing fun, hands-on, STEAM-focused learning experiences to students of all ages, Science Magic Tricks for Kids is the perfect science book for budding scientists and magicians.