The Magic Book Podcast

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The Magic Book Podcast

Celebrating books that teach, illuminate, and celebrate the art of magic

08/23/2025

Jim Hagy began publishing magic history at age 11 and never stopped.

Now a distinguished historian and author, Jim joins The Magic Book Podcast to discuss his unique approach to magic's past - focusing on social history and audience relationships rather than methods. From his childhood correspondence with Milbourne Christopher to his latest books about animals in 19th-century magic, Jim reveals how conjuring reflects broader cultural attitudes and why the magic community's welcoming nature opened doors to its greatest minds.

Jim Hagy began publishing magic history at age 11 and never stopped. Now a distinguished historian and author, he discusses his unique approach to magic's past...

07/27/2025

Celebrating the one-year anniversary of The Magic Book Podcast, my guest on the latest episode is Dr. Matt Tompkins, experimental psychologist and magician, who explores the intersection of magic and cognitive science. Matt reveals how magicians understood principles like change blindness decades before scientists! He also discusses his book "The Spectacle of Illusion," founding the Science of Magic Association, and using mentalism to study public perceptions of Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. Matt Tompkins, experimental psychologist and magician, explores the intersection of magic and cognitive science. From mastering coin tricks as a child to...

06/13/2025

Professional magician Jim Kleefeld reflects on six decades of performing magic, revealing his strategic journey from children's performer to becoming an authority on mentalism.

Jim discusses writing "Locked" to establish credibility before tackling "The Book Test Book" - a comprehensive encyclopedia covering 600+ book tests from 1584-2020.

He shares his meticulous research process, his wife's suggestion for "The Book Test Book" Easter egg, and unique insights on building respect and lasting friendships in the magic community.

Professional magician Jim Kleefeld reflects on six decades of performing magic, revealing his strategic journey from children's performer to mentalism...

05/08/2025

Professional magician and historian Mike Rose discusses documenting magic's forgotten innovators, from Joe Karson, creator of the Zombie floating ball, to Phil Thomas, Baltimore's "Ambassador of Magic." Mike reveals how Joe's early Zombies were made from glass, Phil's resilience after a devastating shop fire, and an influential "Unholy Trio" of Baltimore magicians. Mike shares insights on the evolution of research and the passion driving his preservation of stories about Baltimore's magic scene.

Professional magician and historian Mike Rose discusses documenting magic's forgotten innovators, from Joe Karson, creator of the Zombie floating ball, to Phil...

04/05/2025

Following on from the conversation with Neil Tobin, Necromancer, Dr. Rebecca Josephy discusses editing "Magic, Magicians, and Detective Fiction." She explains the surprising extent of overlap between performance magic and mystery writing, from magician-detectives to magical criminals. Dr. Josephy also reveals how author Maurice Leblanc drew from the French magic scene to create the character of Arsène Lupin and explores how magic appears in detective fiction across different cultures and time periods.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Josephy discusses her book "Magic, Magicians, and Detective Fiction." As editor of a unique collection of essays, she explains the...

03/15/2025

From haunted nightclubs to historic cemeteries, Neil Tobin, Necromancer has created some of magic's most innovative theatrical experiences.

In this latest episode of the podcast, Neil reveals the secret society of magicians who shaped detective fiction's Golden Age and how magic and mystery writing evolved side-by-side. Neil uncovers how Walter B. Gibson, Bruce Elliott, Clayton Rawson, and others cleverly used detective stories to elevate magic's reputation without exposing its secrets.

Plus, we get an early preview of Neil's upcoming annotated editions of Clayton Rawson novels featuring magician-detective, The Great Merlini.

Neil Tobin discusses his approach to performing magic and mentalism with site-specific experiences, including the acclaimed "Supernatural Chicago." We also...

02/19/2025

On the latest episode of The Magic Book Podcast, my guest Charles Greene III discusses his book, "Ionia: Magician Princess Secrets Unlocked" and shares newly discovered connections between magic and early Hollywood history.

In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, professional magician, historian, and author Charles Greene III discusses his journey from corporate magic to...

01/10/2025

New episode alert: My first guest of 2025 is Judge Gary Brown. Gary discusses magic history, his innovative books, and previews revelations about Alexander in his upcoming Gibecière article.

In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, United States district judge and accomplished magician Gary Brown discusses his journey from "accidental biographer"...

12/21/2024

New episode alert: Magic historian and bookseller Philip David Treece discusses founding CollectingMagicBooks.com, publishing works on iconic London magic shop Ellisdons, and preserving magic's printed heritage. He shares insights from his conservation background, approach to curating rare books, and publishing projects including "The Collected Writings of John Nevil Maskelyne." Philip offers valuable advice for magic book collectors and reveals how his experience as a customer shapes his bookselling philosophy.
https://themagicbookpodcast.com/episode/philip-david-treece-collectingmagicbookscom

Magic historian and bookseller Philip David Treece discusses founding CollectingMagicBooks.com , publishing works on iconic London magic shop Ellisdons, and...

11/17/2024

Discover the untold story of magic's first Black superstar in a new episode of The Magic Book Podcast. Margaret B. Steele reveals her 24-year journey researching "The Great Boomsky," from a chance discovery about Alexander Herrmann's slapstick assistant to unearthing a hidden legacy in Nova Scotia. Margaret shares how writing this groundbreaking book transformed her own perspective on magic history.This is a story of transformation, representation, and the power of persistence in historical research.

Historian Margaret B. Steele discusses her groundbreaking book " The Great Boomsky " on The Magic Book Podcast, uncovering previously untold stories of African...

11/03/2024

Step into the glittering world of Las Vegas magic with magician, writer, and magic historian Lance Rich in a new episode of The Magic Book Podcast. Lance takes us behind the scenes of his acclaimed book, "Neon Dreams: The Story of Las Vegas Magic," sharing secrets of Sin City's magical legacy – including the story of Gloria Dea, the first magician to ever perform on the Strip.

Lance Rich, a magician, writer, and historian, shares his journey in the world of magic, focusing on his acclaimed book, "Neon Dreams: The Story of Las Vegas...

10/13/2024

New episode alert! Stand-up comedian and magician Harrison Greenbaum discusses how his experiences and observations as a performer informed the content of his book, "You Are All Terrible."

In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, stand-up comedian and magician Harrison Greenbaum discusses his career from Tannen's Magic Camp to headlining Mad...

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