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Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
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English

DAVID COPPERFIELD'S HISTORY OF MAGIC

Homer Liwag David Britland Richard Wiseman David Copperfield

An illustrated insight into the world of illusion from the world's greatest and most successful magician, capturing its audacious and inventive practitioners, and showcasing the art form's most famous artifacts housed at David Copperfield's secret museum.
This gorgeous full-color oversize book featuring 100 original photographs showcases how magic has changed the world. Copperfield takes us on a personal journey through a unique and remarkable performing art as he profiles twenty-eight of the world's most groundbreaking magicians. From the 16th-century magistrate who wrote the first book on conjuring to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her teeth, David Copperfield's History of Magic takes you on a wild journey through the remarkable feats of the greatest magicians in history.

David Copperfield has been hailed by critics as the greatest illusionist of our time. He was described by Forbes magazine as the most commercially successful magician in history. He has won twenty-one Emmy awards, was the first living illusionist to be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was named a Living Legend by the United States Library of Congress.
A historian of his art, Copperfield founded The International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts which is not opened to the public. The museum is now home to over 25,000 books and 100,000 artifacts including 16th-century manuals on sleight of hand, Houdini's straightjackets and handcuffs, Orson Welles' Buzz Saw Illusion and the only known recording of Houdini's voice - preserved on the original Edison wax cylinders.

Richard Wiseman is a professor of psychology, author, and magician. He is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle, has created illusion-based videos that have received over 500 million views on YouTube, and has authored several bestselling books.

David Britland is a writer and consultant on all aspects of deception. He has written several highly regarded books on magic and is a recipient of the Special and Literary Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts in Los Angeles.

Homer Liwag is an acclaimed visual designer, photographer, cinematographer, artist, and magician. For two decades he has codirected David Copperfield's live and television work, and collaborated as his Design Director.
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Book

Published 2021-10-26 by Simon & Schuster

Book

Published 2021-10-26 by Simon & Schuster

Comments

NPR's A Martínez speaks with illusionist David Copperfield about his book: History of Magic. Read more...

This beautifully illustrated book is actually an armchair tour through Copperfield's vast International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, which the famed stage magician assembled piece by piece, almost entirely in secret, over a period of more than 30 years... For fans of magic, either its history or its present, the book is absolutely compelling, an unputdownable must-read. Read more...

David Copperfield's History of Magic is an illustrated, illuminating insight into the world of illusion from the world's greatest and most successful magician, capturing its audacious and inventive practitioners, and showcasing the art form's most famous artifacts housed at David Copperfield's secret museum. In this personal journey through a unique and remarkable performing art, Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world's most groundbreaking magicians. Read more...

David joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how his curiosity about the world led him to discover magic, how he wants his audience to be totally immersed at his shows, and how magic tricks have often influenced future technologies... Read more...

The legendary David Copperfield (The Magic of David Copperfield, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone) tells Justin about inventing his first magic trick at twelve years old, how technology and magic go hand-in-hand, and what really happens when an illusion goes dangerously awry. Read more...

By the end of the book, you'll be sure to share Copperfield's passion for the power of magic. Read more...

Richard Wiseman in discussion with David Copperfield Read more...

Dan Schawbel asks David Copperfield how he was inspired to be a magician, his mindset, the magicians that have influenced him, the history of magic, and his best career advice. Read more...