This book reflects my own knowledge and thoughts on the subject of inventing tricks. Part 1 is devoted to this process and by reading its introduction you will, dear reader, soon be able to make up your mind if you want to continue. Even if you are not interested in creating your own magic, there might be something in Part 2 for you. In Part 1, I have done my best not just to theorize, but to illustrate every idea by means of examples. These are described in Part 2 and can be read quite independently from Part 1. Part 2 is just a collection of tricks, all of which have stood the test of many performances in front of lay audiences. (I never cared much about showing magic to other magicians.) If the reader finds it worthwhile to adopt a few of the magical feats of Part 2, I hope he or she will not regret having bought the book.
