John Booth, in Extending Magic Beyond Credibility, his thirteenth (and possibly best) book on magic, looks back on his more than 70 years of experience with the conjuring arts and considers some of its most enduring mysteries, intriguing questions and fascinating personalities. From legendary effects such as Robert-Houdin's Light & Heavy Chest and the Indian Rope Trick to the origins of dove magic, ventriloquism and automata, Extending Magic Beyond Credibility has the famous Booth blend of secrets, biography, philosophy and romantic history. Whether you're a student of magic history or simply one fascinated with the art and its many facets, you'll find Extending Magic Beyond Credibility is more than just a book of magic history. It's a captivating read you'll find difficult to put down, written by a man who not only knows his subject...but who lived it as well. 272 pages, photo-illustrated. Contents: Foreword by Silvan of Rome Preface WAKE-UP MAGIC! 1. Magic that Jolts Audiences: Richiardi Jr. 2. Kevin James: Master of Shock Magic 3. Todd Robbins: The Sideshow World 4. Sylvester the Jester: The Self-Mayhem Principle HARRY HOUDINI AND MAX MALINI 5. Revelations about "Houdini's Hollywood Estate" 6. Malini and His Violin FOUR BRIEF PIECES TO PONDER OR ENJOY 7. Aloha: Final Tribute to Dai Vernon 8. Do Morality or Ideology Affect Art in Magic? 9. That FATAL Signet Ring: A Short, Short Story 10. Book Reviews: The Achilles Heel of Magazines Reflection 1: Desiderata Reflection 2 BRILLIANT MAGIC WITH BEAUTIFUL BIRDS 11. Centuries of Development Unfolded A STAR AMONG STARS 12.Thurston: A Truly Great Magazine 13. Magic's Most Famous Waltz: The Zenda 14. Memorable Music for Master Magicians AVERTING CATASTROPHE: MAGIC AND POLITICS 15. The Legendary Robert-Houdin Light and Heavy Chest Examined FASCINATING OPPORTUNITIES IN VENTRILOQUISM 16. Ventriloquial Stunts: From Pactolus to Today 17. The Illusion of Voice Throwing 18. Dolls That Smoke: Bodiless Heads that Talk 19. New Era Ventriloquism: THe Hamills THE PUPPETRY BRANCH OF WIZARDRY 20. Puppetry Across the Spectrum 21. The Duck that Made John Salisse Famous 22. His Left Hand is His Fortune AUTOMATA 23. Machines that "Think" and Perform Like Humans and Birds THE GREAT INDIAN ROPE TRICK 24. Where, When and How the Reports Began 25. My Experiences in India and Tibet Searching for A Rope Miracle 26. Illusionists Who Have Attempted to do it 27. The Last Word: Myth or Reality? Bibliography and Recommended Reading About The Author
