Compilation of four separately published works.

A journalist recounts his life-changing journey through the secret world of underground magic in this “funny, illuminating, and personal” memoir (Brooklyn Rail) When struggling journalist Ian Frisch came across magician Chris Ramsey on Instagram, he knew he had the makings of a good story. But what began as a simple profile piece led Ian to the52—a secret society of magicians determined to revolutionize their ancient artform under the mantra Magic Is Dead. As Ian gains entry to the52, he forms close bonds with its founding members—Laura London, Daniel Madison, and Chris Ramsay. He attends private gatherings of the most extraordinary magicians working today, follows them to magic conventions in Las Vegas and England, and discovers some of the best tricks of the trade. He also goes behind the scenes of a Netflix magic show and encounters David Blaine, Penn Jillette, and Dynamo, the U.K.’s most famous magician. As Ian tells the story of the52, and his role as its most unlikely member, he reveals his own connection with trickery and deceit, sharing how he first learned the elements of magic from his poker-playing mother. Rich with the history of magic and populated with a cast of fascinating characters, Magic Is Dead is a page-turning work of immersive journalism coupled with a young man searching for himself.

Now in trade paperback, one of the classics of Charles de Lint's "Newford" sequence

The author addresses key scientific questions previously explained by rich mythologies, from the evolution of the first humans and the life cycle of stars to the principles of a rainbow and the origins of the universe.

Ancient Greeks and Romans often turned to magic to achieve personal goals. Magical rites were seen as a route for direct access to the gods, for material gains as well as spiritual satisfaction. In this survey of magical beliefs and practices from the sixth century B.C.E. through late antiquity, Fritz Graf sheds new light on ancient religion. Graf explores the important types of magic in Greco-Roman antiquity, describing rites and explaining the theory behind them. And he characterizes the ancient magician: his training and initiation, social status, and presumed connections with the divine world. With trenchant analysis of underlying conceptions and vivid account of illustrative cases, Graf gives a full picture of the practice of magic and its implications. He concludes with an evaluation of the relation of magic to religion.

In this articulate and insightful book, D. Michael Quinn reconstructs the world view of an earlier age in America, finding ample evidence for treasure seeking and folk magic in Joseph Smith's formative years. Folk magic was not unusual for the times and is important in understanding how Mormons may have interpreted developments. Quinn's impressive research provides a much-needed background for the environment that produced Mormonism's founding prophet.

SHE IS MAGIC, YES is a book of 11 women who each share their personal journey.It is filled with hope. Filled with inspiration. Filled with women who chose to rise again and sometimes they chose to rise again and again. All of this made them into the women they are today. They are women who proved to the world that life is more than just the hand of cards you are dealt, but rather, how you respond to those cards you are dealt.It is a choice. They chose to find love. They chose to find healing. They chose to find life. In return, she gives love.She gives healing.She gives hope.She gives inspirationShe gives life.She is more than just a woman.She is Magic.Contributing Authors: Blair Hayse, Kelsey Rojas, Marina Fabian, Stephanie Mahony, Susan Finkel Barrows, Christine D'Elia, Nicole Barker, Mistie S. Rose, Karen Quiros, Brooke J. Coleman and Traci Miller.