The Magic Book Podcast

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 - 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.

Dr. Matt Tompkins, experimental psychologist and magician, explores the intersection of magic and cognitive science. From mastering coin tricks as a child to designing "fake mind control machines" at Lund University, Matt reveals how magicians understood principles like change blindness decades before scientists. He discusses his book "The Spectacle of Illusion," founding the Science of Magic Association, and using mentalism to study public perceptions of AI with deception rates of 97 percent and higher.

Professional magician Jim Kleefeld reflects on six decades of performing magic, revealing his strategic journey from children's performer to mentalism authority. 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's Easter egg, and insights on building respect and lasting friendships in the magic community.

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, how Phil survived a devastating shop fire, and the influence of an "Unholy Trio" of magicians. Mike shares insights on the evolution of research and the passion driving his preservation of stories about Baltimore's magic scene.

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 surprising extent of overlap between performance magic and mystery writing, from magician-detectives to magical criminals. Dr. Josephy 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.

Neil Tobin discusses his approach to performing magic and mentalism with site-specific experiences, including the acclaimed "Supernatural Chicago." We also discuss Neil's recent academic research and essays on magicians who wrote detective fiction and learn how Walter B. Gibson and others connected magic and mystery writing communities, using detective stories to elevate the public's perception of magic. Neil also previews his upcoming annotated edition of Clayton Rawson's Great Merlini novels.

In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, professional magician, historian, and author Charles Greene III discusses his journey from corporate magic to becoming an authority on vintage magic posters and Friedländer lithography. He shares insights from his decade-long research into the subject of his book, "Ionia: Magician Princess Secrets Unlocked." Charles also discusses two upcoming biographies and how his investigations have uncovered connections between magic history and early Hollywood.

In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, United States district judge and accomplished magician Gary Brown discusses his journey from "accidental biographer" to respected magic historian. He shares insights on writing "The Coney Island Fakir," researching Henry Slade, and authoring innovative books "Wandcraft" and "The Inventive Magician's Handbook." Gary offers perspective on the challenges of magic history research and previews new revelations about Alexander to be published in Gibecière.

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 Nevill Maskelyne." Philip offers valuable advice for magic book collectors and reveals how his experience as a customer shapes his bookselling philosophy.

Historian Margaret B. Steele discusses her groundbreaking book "The Great Boomsky" on The Magic Book Podcast, uncovering previously untold stories of African American performers in Alexander and Adelaide Herrmann's magic shows during the segregation era. Margaret shares insights from her research, the transformation she experienced as a writer, and the discovery of Isaac Willis's legacy in Nova Scotia. Margaret also discusses her publishing company, Floating Lady Publishing, and 3 new projects.

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 Magic." He discusses how he chronicled the rich history of magic in Las Vegas, highlighting notable figures including Gloria Dea, the first magician to perform on the Las Vegas Strip. Lance reflects on the impact of nostalgia as a gateway to understanding magic's history and emphasizes the importance of accessible storytelling. Through his insights, Lance inspires aspiring magic historians and writers to find their passion and create engaging narratives that resonate with a wider audience.

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 Apple in Las Vegas and starring in his off-Broadway show, What Just Happened? He shares insights on writing You Are All Terrible, emphasizing originality, and reflects on his own creative process, blending comedy and magic. Harrison reveals his most treasured magic books and previews new projects, including a one-hour comedy special.

In the fifth episode of The Magic Book Podcast, Adrian Tennant interviews Craig Beytien, a seasoned magician, craftsman, and author. Craig discusses what led him to write the upcoming book Petite Magia: Crafty Plans for the Tabletop Wizard, which features 29 magic effects. Reflecting on his innovative approach to miniaturizing classic illusions, Craig discusses how Eric C. Lewis and Paul Osborne influenced his work, and emphasizes the enduring value of physical magic books in our digital age.

In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, Adrian Tennant interviews John Gaspard, author of nine Eli Marks Mysteries. John explains his research and writing process, including his collaborations with magicians. John also discusses the creation of Eli Marks, balancing magic content for both magicians and general readers, and his popular podcast, "Behind the Page." John shares his experiences with the magic community, and offers advice for aspiring authors interested in magic-themed fiction.

In the third episode of The Magic Book Podcast, Adrian Tennant interviews Marco Pusterla, a professional magician, historian, and publisher. We explore his journey from Italy to the UK, his passion for collecting magic books, and interest in history. Marco shares insights on founding the quarterly Ye Olde Magic Mag, and organizing The Magic Circle History Day for the past three years. We also discuss Marco's upcoming projects, including what promises to be the definitive biography of Chefalo.

In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, Adrian Tennant interviews Chris Wasshuber, founder of Lybrary.com. Chris shares his journey into magic, the creation of Lybrary.com, and his groundbreaking research on S.W. Erdnase, author of The Expert at the Card Table. He also discusses his upcoming book on prolific magic inventor Lubor Fiedler. Chris offers unique insights into digital publishing, historical research challenges, and his passion for preserving and advancing magical knowledge.

In the first episode of The Magic Book Podcast, host Adrian Tennant interviews Julie Eng, renowned magicienne and the new Executive Director of Genii magazine. Julie shares her journey growing up in a magical family, her work on major publications preserving magic's rich history, and her vision for Genii's future. She discusses the challenges and joys of magic book publishing, her most cherished magic book, and her passion for advancing the art of magic through community-building and education.

Welcome to the Magic Book Podcast, where we explore the world of classic and contemporary books that celebrate the art of magic. I'm your host, Adrian Tennant, a magic and mentalism enthusiast, occasional performer, and avid bookworm. The trailer introduces the journey we will embark on together. Throughout the first season, we will explore the rich history, techniques, and remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world of magic through their written works. Joining me in this season are esteemed contributors such as Julie Eng, Chris Wasshuber, Ray Ricard, and Marco Pusterla. Together, we will celebrate the literature of amazement, and the effects that inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Whether you are a seasoned magician, a curious enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the wonder of magic, I invite you to listen to The Magic Book Podcast. Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes, available on all major podcast platforms.