If you have not read and learned the magic contained in this book you have no business calling yourself a close-up magician. The magic by John Scarne, Dai Vernon, Bert Allerton, S. Leo Horowitz, Emil Jarrow, Francis Carlyle, Dr. Jacob Daley, Tony Slydini, Ross Bertram, Nate Leipzig, and Max Malini helped shape the art of close-up magic as we know it.It has often been said that mastering the magic in this book will make you an accomplished close-up and sleight-of-hand artist. In many ways, it contains all the magic you need to build a professional caliber repertoire. Many have earned a living performing these routines and now you can too.Includes: 41 incredible routines by 11 incredible artists, a historical introduction and a bonus section with private correspondence related to the Stars Of Magic.

In the religious systems of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, gods and demigods were neither abstract nor distant, but communicated with mankind through signs and active intervention. Men and women were thus eager to interpret, appeal to, and even control the gods and their agents. In Prayer, Magic, and the Stars in the Ancient and Late Antique World, a distinguished array of scholars explores the many ways in which people in the ancient world sought to gain access to--or, in some cases, to bind or escape from--the divine powers of heaven and earth. Grounded in a variety of disciplines, including Assyriology, Classics, and early Islamic history, the fifteen essays in this volume cover a broad geographic area: Greece, Egypt, Syria-Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Persia. Topics include celestial divination in early Mesopotamia, the civic festivals of classical Athens, and Christian magical papyri from Coptic Egypt. Moving forward to Late Antiquity, we see how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each incorporated many aspects of ancient Near Eastern and Graeco-Roman religion into their own prayers, rituals, and conceptions. Even if they no longer conceived of the sun, moon, and the stars as eternal or divine, Christians, Jews, and Muslims often continued to study the movements of the heavens as a map on which divine power could be read. The reader already familiar with studies of ancient religion will find in Prayer, Magic, and the Stars both old friends and new faces. Contributors include Gideon Bohak, Nicola Denzey, Jacco Dieleman, Radcliffe Edmonds, Marvin Meyer, Michael G. Morony, Ian Moyer, Francesca Rochberg, Jonathan Z. Smith, Mark S. Smith, Peter Struck, Michael Swartz, and Kasia Szpakowska. Published as part of Penn State's Magic in History series, Prayer, Magic, and the Stars appears at a time of renewed interest in divination and occult practices in the ancient world. It will interest a wide audience in the field of comparative religion as well as students of the ancient world and late antiquity.

Can you change your fate—and the fate of those you love—if you return to the past? Journey to 1939 Harlem in this time-travel adventure with an inspiring message about believing in yourself. Eleven-year-old Ailey Benjamin Lane can dance—so he’s certain that he'll land the role of the Scarecrow in his school’s production of The Wiz. Unfortunately, a talented classmate and a serious attack of nerves derail his audition: he just stands there, frozen. Deflated and defeated, Ailey confides in his Grampa that he’s ready to quit. But Grampa believes in Ailey, and, to encourage him, shares a childhood story. As a boy, Grampa dreamed of becoming a tap dancer; he was so good that the Hollywood star and unofficial Mayor of Harlem, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, even gave him a special pair of tap shoes. Curious, Ailey finds the shoes, tries them on, taps his toes, and makes a wish. In the blink of an eye, he finds himself somewhere that if most definitely no place like home! Featuring an all-African-American cast of characters, and infused with references to black culture and history, this work of magical realism is sure to captivate and inspire readers.

DIVThe one essential guidebook to attaining the highest level of card mastery, from false shuffling and card palming to dealing from the bottom and three-card monte, plus 14 dazzling card tricks. /div

“Patricia Rice weaves magical love stories”--Mary Jo Putney, NY Times Bestselling Author "Rice takes her readers on an amorous adventure in this magical tale."--RT Book Reviews "There is never a dull moment.”--Nightowl Reviews The long-awaited sequel to NY Times bestseller Patricia Rice's Magic series of historical romances is finally here! He’s a scientist who studies the stars. She’s an astrologer who predicts the future. Can a lonely witch save a handsome unbeliever from his own doom? The Lonely Witch While creating zodiac charts for her eccentric and mysterious Malcolm relations, Lady Azenor Dougall — a talented astrologer — realizes the alignment of the stars poses a fatal threat to her beloved siblings. To protect those she loves, she flees her Scots home... and searches for an answer. The Handsome Scientist Lord Theophilus Ives, heir presumptive to the Marquess of Ashford, is a renowned astronomer who has perfected a telescope capable of seeing beyond Saturn’s moons. If only the women his all-male family attracted were as predictable as the laws of science. Nonetheless, Theo is undaunted by the tumult of his life — until the day the luscious Lady Azenor arrives to warn them that his brother, the Marquess, is in terrible danger. The Magic in the Stars Can Lady Azenor Dougall convince a laughing disbeliever of peril? And can she escape the fate her stars predict if she lingers too long in Lord Theo’s enthralling company? If you enjoy the humor of Eloisa James, the history of Jo Beverley, or the emotion of Mary Jo Putney, don’t miss this exciting new chapter in Patricia Rice’s acclaimed romance series! Scroll up and get your copy of Magic in the Stars today! Unexpected Magic Series in order: Magic in the Stars , Book 1 Whisper of Magic, Book 2 Theory of Magic, Book 3 Aura of Magic, Book 4 Chemistry of Magic, Book 5 No Perfect Magic, Book 6

Easy new technique uses only squares and rectangles. Includes 30 blocks and 10 quilts.