Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic

Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic

Cover of 1988 edition.
Author	Mark Wilson
Illustrator	Julia Laughlin; Manny Katz
Cover artist	Weaver Lilly; Tony Schmidt
Language	English
Subject	Magic (illusion)
Genre	Non-fiction
Publisher	Courage Books: Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date	1988
Publication place	USA
Pages	472 pages
ISBN	0-89471-623-9
Preceded by	1975, 1981 editions
Followed by	2003 edition

Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic is the title of a book on magic written by Mark Wilson, the stage magician. The book is a popular reference for magicians and has been in print since its first issue in 1975.

Description of Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic

This description is based on the 1988 edition.

The book is organized into sections; each devoted to a particular topic, as follows:

Introductory sections

• Table of Contents
  • Listing of all sections and effects with page numbers.
  • This volume contains no index.
• Dedication
• Introductory Letter
  • Mark Wilson addresses his reader as "Dear Student," and expounds on his views of the basics of performance magic.
  • Throughout, Wilson refers to illusions as "tricks."

Biographies

• Mark Wilson
  • Nani Darnell Wilson (his wife and partner on stage)
  • Mike Wilson (their son)
• Walter Gibson, co-author
• U.F. "Gen" Grant, co-author
• Larry Anderson, co-author

Practice Makes Perfect

"Three rules are often given as the key to attaining perfection in ay art. They are: Practice, more Practice, and still more Practice." (p. 15)

Misdirection

Wilson's exposition on the basics of misdirection.

Illusions (Tricks)

The tricks (Wilson's term) and prerequisite techniques and skills required to perform them comprise the main body of the book. The key elements are illustrated with line drawings and explained in detail in the accompanying text.

Each trick is divided into logical sub-sections:

• Effect
  • What the audience is intended to see
• Secret and Preparation
  • Setting up the props, and how they work.
• Method
  • How the performer achieves the effect, step by step.
• Comments and Suggestions
  • Tips, pointers, and hard-won experience from the authors.

Card Magic

The section on card effects is divided into classes of tricks; each class contains multiple individual techniques and tricks, as follows:

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Money Magic

As with Card Magic, the section on money effects is divided into classes of tricks; each class comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks, as follows:

• Money Magic
• Money Magic — Bills

Rope Magic

The section on rope effects is not divided, but comprises of multiple individual techniques and tricks.

Silk & Handkerchief Magic

This section comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks.

Impromptu Magic

This section comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks, mainly with household objects readily at hand.

Mental Magic

This section comprises of multiple individual techniques and tricks.

Betchas

This section comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks of the kind which the magician may bet he can do something the spectator cannot: "I'll bet you."

Make At Home Magic

This section comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks, requiring apparatus which can be constructed as build-it-yourself projects.

Sponge Ball Magic

This section comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks, requiring compressible balls as props.

Billiard Ball Magic

This section comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks with incompressible balls.

Cups & Balls

Perhaps the first illusions performed; definitely the first recorded in writing (in ancient Egypt). This section comprises multiple individual techniques and tricks.

Magical Illusions

"In magical terms an "Illusion" is any trick or effect involving a human being." (p. 435) This section comprises multiple individual illusions, according to the quoted definition.

Your Future In Magic

Wilson and co-authors parting words of encouragement to their readers and students.