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This volume, book three in the trilogy, is all about the psychology in magic. Mechanics alone, a sleight or move, are not sufficient to produce a strong magic effect. Dexterity by itself is more like juggling. Only if misdirection, the psychological aspect of deception, is added into the mix, will one be able to create a truly magic experience.

There aren't many good works on misdirection. This is one of the must read ebooks, a classic in the theory of magic. A shorter but modern discussion of misdirection can be read in Pocket Power by Jarle Leirpoll.

Paul Fleming wrote:

A complete text on methods, mechanical devices, moves, techniques, figures, artifices, routines, etc., for performing one of the great classics in the repertoire of magic. It includes modern improvements, suggestions and ideas, together with routines eliminating the use of the key.

Paul Fleming wrote:

Dariel Fitzkee authored one of the best trilogies on magic theory. This volume, book one in the trilogy, primarily deals with theoretical aspects of a magic performance. This book has been cited numerous times and is one of the standard works every serious magician should read. Fitzkee has a very analytical mind and describes his thoughts clearly. As with any theory not everyone will agree with every detail and every suggestion. Regardless of if you fully subscribe to Fitzkee's thinking or not, there is plenty to learn from his writings.

Paul Fleming wrote:

This is book two from Fitzkee's trilogy and is unlike any other book ever written on magic. It was the first book (and to my knowledge the only book) to attack magic methods from a scientific standpoint. Fitzkee develops here a classification of effects, from appearances to vanishes, and then describes a system to invent or develop new trick plots. This is an invention system. I would say it is one way to invent new trick plots. But even if you are not of the scientific sort, the classification and discussion of magic effects and methods is a tremendous resource to expand your horizon and think...

1. ...
   • ... - Wm. G. Strickland (Marius)
16. Scene Around New York - Roger Barkann
17. Magigals Page - Geraldine Larsen
    • Chicago Assembly No. 9
    • Magical Musings
      • New Assembly in Dallas, Texas
      • Los Angeles Magigals
      • Magigals Parent Assembly Magigals
18. Why I Have Written My Trilogy on Magic - Dariel Fitzkee
19. McDonald Birch - biographical sketch
20. News of the P.C.A.M.
    • Performers on P.C.A.M. Shows - photos
    • Report of the July Meeting of the Jan Jose Mystic 13
22. Odd Magical Facts - Frank Fewins
23. Moron Magic - Mandroop the Magician (George McAthy)
23. The Hocus Family...

1. ... C. Spratt, editor
   12. Turn The Pack Over - T. J. Crawford
   13. 'The Passe Passe Silks' - Vernon Cook
   13. Flash Silk Penetration - Vernon Cook
   14. Another Mirror Glass - R. S. Glover
   14. Satan's Time Clock - R. S. Glover
14. Winner Of Sweepstakes Prize - Caryl S. Fleming
15. Thoughts Are Things - Dariel Fitzkee
    • The Stull Rising Card Trick
    • Fooling Yourself with the Shadow Trick
    • Good Card Table Material
    • For Close-up Workers
16. Diary of a Magician's Wife - Geraldine Conrad
17. Paging the Ladies - Geraldine Conrad
    • Bagdette
    • Oakland Ladies Newsletter - Lile Burke
    • Welcome...

FITZKEE: A CONTROVERSY (Essay)
An analysis of the man Dariel Fitzkee and his ground breaking work in The Fitzkee Trilogy, and why it was so controversial and would become mandatory reading for all who study this art-form.

THE FOUR KINDS (Essay)
A dissection on the different paths to creativity...

• ... Karl Fulves
• COMPLETE CUPS AND BALLS, Michael Ammar
• COMPLETE DUNGEON, Anthony Owen
• CONEY ISLAND FAKIR: THE MAGICAL LIFE OF AL FLOSSO, Gary R. Brown
• CONSERVATION OF MAGIC, Leo Behnke
• CRUISE MAGICIAN'S HANDBOOK, Fred Becker

• DAI VERNON BOOK OF MAGIC, Lewis Ganson
• DAI VERNON'S INNER CARD TRILOGY, Lewis Ganson
• DAI VERNON'S SYMPHONY OF THE RINGS, Lewis Ganson
• DAI VERNON'S TRIBUTE TO NATE LEIPZIG, Lewis Ganson
• DAI VERNON'S ULTIMATE SECRETS OF CARD MAGIC, Lewis Ganson
• DARWIN'S INEXPENSIVE ILLUSIONS, Gary Darwin
• DAVID HARKEY ERIC ANDERSON AH-HA!, David Harkey
• DESTINY, CHANCE AND...