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JIS: DVD!
Jamy Ian Swiss: Live in London
View the Live In London Preview
Price: $29.95
Special introductory offer:
$25.00
Please be certain to select international shipping rate for international orders.
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JIS: DVD!
Put your money where his mouth is...
...and receive an entire close-up act of extraordinary magic from a true professional's repertoire. Swiss's performances and reputation as an accomplished teacher and incisive thinker have been attested to by Penn & Teller, Lance Burton, Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Dai Vernon, Johnny Thompson and many others. This DVD includes his entire lecture, teaching in depth ground-breaking tricks and routines that have already been adopted by many of magic's top professionals. Included are his definitive versions of Card in Box, Card in Matchbook, Animated Finger Ring, three secret card folds and much more. Intensely powerful sleight-of-hand magic, forged in the fire of exten sive real-world performance. Expect quality.
This exciting lecture is packed with practical material from a professional's working repertoire — filled with real-life information about the performance of magic — all delivered in Jamy's powerful, entertaining, and unprecedented style!
Including:
THE KISS OF THE BIG APPLE — The last word in "card in container" routines, featuring an original element that has since been adopted and varied by countless other magicians.
WISHFUL THINKING - The ultimate Card in Matchbook. An entertaining and mystifying multi-phase closing routine straight out of a professional's act.
THE ANIMATED RING — Based on an Al Baker creation and remarkably easy to do, yet probably the most powerful invisible thread effect yet. As featured in Jon LeClair's The Art of Invisible Thread .
Among the sleights taught are three different secret card folding techniques, including Jamy's own diabolical "Under-the- Spread Fold."
This is more than a lecture — it's a carefully constructed performance, a session with an expert teacher, a riveting motivational experience. These are not merely magic lessons — these are life lessons!
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Shattering
Illusions
293 pages in hardcover
with dustjacket
(Hermetic Press, 2002)
$35.00 SOLD OUT
"Shattering
Illusions is an important book. Buy it. Study it. Think
about it. You'll be a better magician for having done so."
Michael Close
MAGIC magazine
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Twenty insightful and occasionally incendiary essays on the topics
of why magicians have failed to stop the exposure of secrets to
the public; why magic is held in low esteem by much of show business
and the public, and what can be done about it; intellectual property
rights in magic; the problems of presentation for mentalists (and
one solution); should you learn magic from books or from video;
how to tell a good trick from a bad one; the fallacy of "naturalness"
in sleight of hand; commercialism, its benefits and pitfalls; discovering
an on-stage character and a style that can lead to success--and
an answer to the troubling question, Why do we do magic?
"Jamy Ian Swiss is
an esteemed colleague, a terrific performer, and someone who cares
very deeply about the art of magic. ... For Mr. Swiss, complacency
is not an option. ... Shattering Illusions contains no tricks, but
it contains many of the real secrets of successful magic. ... Shattering
Illusions is an important book. Buy it. Study it. Think about it.
You'll be a better magician for having done so."
--
Michael Close, MAGIC, November 2002
"Splendidly
written ... At their best, these essays remind us of the wonderful,
the fleeting, the transcendent feelings we've had while experiencing
the performance of a magic effect, and give us reason to pause and
reconsider our own objectives. ... This is an entertaining, illuminating
and provocative collection by a man who possesses a profound affection
for magic. Every generation seems to produce a few voices that shout
from the wilderness, waking us from our complacency, pointing out
alternative paths and cajoling us to do better. Jamy Ian Swiss will
certainly be remembered as one of those voices."
--
David Regal, Genii, December 2002 (read the full
review)
"I honestly don't know of a single person in magic and/or mentalism
that would not be healthier after a good dose of this book. ...
In one of my favorite chapters ('Mentalism Grows Up'), Mr. Swiss
writes about mentalism. But how can this be? After all, I have heard
for years that Jamy Ian Swiss despises mentalism. Well, I hate to
be the one to break it to you, but that is simply not the case.
(Although he has told me that hates bad mentalism, and who
can argue with that?) The views that he expresses are very well
thought out, and they could help raise mentalism to the level of
true artistry, but only if it divorces itself from the backroom
charlatans. ... In my opinion, all of Shattering Illusions
is in the "must-read" category, but I believe that the final two
chapters are truly definitive. ... People often discuss what books
they would want with them if they were stranded on a deserted island.
In the case of Shattering Illusions, I will pack two copies
in case one gets damaged."
-- Rick Maue, Voices (Deceptions Unlimited),
December 2002 (read the full
review)
"This is an important book, one that should be read and reread by everyone thinking him or herself a magician."
-- Phil Willmarth, Linking Ring, December 2002
"Swiss is currently best known in the magic community for his 'no
hold barred' book reviews in Genii. Although there are many
who disagree with this or that comment he might make, few would
challenge his abilities as a wordsmith. His writing ability, combined
with his great passion, commitment and integrity, make for compelling
reading. This is a collection of twenty essays, most previously
published, but all updated for this collection. Although no tricks
are taught, these essays are not entirely theoretical. For example,
his 'Good Trick, Bad Trick' is a useful system for analyzing performance
material for its commercial potential. There is a history of bar
magic, tributes to Goshman, Vernon and Slydini, autobiographical
pieces and a constant grappling with ethical issues, ranging from
intellectual property to exposure to the performance of mentalism.
It is impossible to read this book without thinking, which is a
very good thing indeed."
-- H&R Magic Books, December 2002
"This is a book about 'magic!' No, not tricks.
This book is REALLY ABOUT MAGIC! What it is, what it could be, used
to be, should be, will be, may never be, etc. ... I can guarantee
that you can turn to almost any paragraph on any page of this book
and there is something there that will make you think about your
magic, or just magic in general. It will create a spark in your
mind that just might be the key to a better approach to your magic.
This book is REAL. ... I really think that Jamy has gone far beyond
expectations with these writings. I will go so far as to put this
on my bookshelf with Fitzkee, Maskelyne & Devant, Nelms, Sharpe,
Wonder and other 'important' works. If magic is truly in your 'soul'
then this book MUST be read, not once, but many times."
--
Denny Haney, Denny & Lee Magic Studio
"A must have.
End of story. Will benefit the professional and amateur alike. This
stuff like fine wine is to be sipped and appreciated. It's not for
everyone, but then again neither is magic. One of the very few books
by someone qualified to write a book, not some new jack on the block.
Jamy Ian Swiss knows what he is talking about."
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David Malek, Earth's Largest Magic Shop
"Be prepared to have your thinking on magic challenged by one of magic's finest wordsmiths and deepest thinkers. Jamy Ian Swiss is a performer, writer, lecturer and TV magician who knows a bit about magic. His reviews in Genii have truly lifted the bar when it comes to product review and his 'speak your mind with thought and justification' style has ensured readers open those pages first each month. the first essay in this book 'Why All Magic Sucks' may get your back up but calm down and re-read and you will see where he is coming from. This sensibly priced book may well become the next "Strong Magic."
-- Taylor's Magic Shop, Australia
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The
Jamy Ian Swiss Book Reviews
Genii
magazine, 1994 through 2000
The Complete eBook Collection, on mini-CD-ROM) (published by Lybrary.com)
$32.50
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If you're at all interested in the literature of
conjuring, then you probably already know that I write book reviews
for Genii magazine. In fact, I'll soon begin my ninth year
of book criticism, having begun reviewing for Genii in June
of 1994.
Now you can own the complete collection of these acclaimed book
reviews, from 1994 through 2000, in one convenient ebook. In addition
to 217 reviews, you'll receive "A Millennium of Magic Literature,"
a special, comprehensive feature written for the January 2001 millennium
issue of Genii, as well as an introduction written expressly
for this collection that will give you new insight into my approach.
This review collection comes with fully hyperlinked title-index
and author-index. Whenever a reviewed book is mentioned elsewhere
in the collection, you will find a convenient hyperlink to the actual
review. The collection also includes publisher Lybrary.com's innovative
"LybraryReader," with its built-in search engine and a text-to-speech
feature that enables your computer to read the material aloud, all
of which combine to produce a timeless resource for guiding your
next book purchases. Whether or not you subscribed to Genii
during these years, you'll love the convenience of owning the complete
collection of reviews all in one place in this easily-searchable,
electronic form.
"Highest recommendation!" - The Linking
Ring
"I'm a big fan of Mr. Swiss's writings. He has
raised the quality of magic criticism to a high level. His essays
are thoughtful, erudite, and scholarly. He educates while he entertains.
Having all these reviews in an easily accessible format is invaluable.
If you have any interest in the literature of magic (or if you just
want to be a smart shopper) then The Jamy Ian Swiss Book Reviews
should be next to your computer. Buy it. Period."
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Mike Close, MAGIC magazine |
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Theurgical
Thread II
8-1/2 X 11, plastic comb
binding, card stock covers, 27 pages
$20.00
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This booklet is actually both a detailed manual on invisible thread
in general, covering many different types, their proper application,
lighting, strength, psychology, etc., as well as a detailed instruction
manual for professional presentation of a psychokinetic effect.
You may have seen Jamy perform a brief segment of this on the PBS
NOVA special featuring James "The Amazing" Randi. A borrowed finger
ring animates and moves across an ordinary pencil, rises up the
pencil, and then finally moves across the pencil while all the props
are in the spectator's hand. Truly a show-stopping miracle that
will leave your audience talking about it for a long time to come,
it is the easiest and quite possibly strongest invisible thread
effect you will ever do. This invaluable booklet is a bargain! Chapters
include:
- Theory: Simple, Not Easy: Why invisible thread magic requires
a theoretical approach, not simply a method
- A Basic Thread Primer: Everything you needed to know about
types of thread, strength, applications, etc. - and didn't know
who to ask.
- Throwing Some Light on the Subject: All about the critical
issue of lighting.
- The Gimmick: Simply Swiss: An incredibly simple device for
handling so-called "Esoteric Thread."
- The Animated Ring: Every conceivable detail on the strongest
invisible thread trick you can do - that also happens to be
one of the easiest.
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Theatrics
II
8-1/2 X 11, plastic comb binding,
card stock covers, 38 pages
$20.00
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Original presentations (only) and complete scripts for eight classic
card routines, the technical instructions for which have appeared
in other publications (complete references are provided). These
presentations are not only useful, but serve as excellent examples
of how to work up stories and original presentations around your
own tricks. Included are new and original presentations for:
- "Immaculate Connection" (Paul Harris has said that the
presentation included here for his linking card routine is the
best extant.)
- Daryl's "Puerto Rican Triumph"
- Daryl's "Double Dazzling Triumph"
- Paul Harris' "Bizarre Twist"
- Harris' "Color Stunner" (Color Changing Deck)
- Crandall/Dingle "Rainbow Deck"
- Mike Skinner's "Three Different Ways"
- Harry Lorayne's "Card Sharp vs. the Four Gamblers"
- Plus an original three-phase reverse routine. Also included
are two chapters of advice on routining and presentation.
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Another
Interesting Application of That Principle
8-1/2
X 11, plastic comb binding, card stock covers, 44 pages
$20.00
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More than a set of lecture notes, a detailed booklet including 12
card and coin routines ranging from the very easy to the advanced.
Includes:
- Sm'All Backs (Small Packet All Backs/Quick 3-Way);
- Acing the Sm'All Backs (a sucker climax for magicians);
- Re-Re-Re-Reset (An extremely visual handling of the Paul Harris
classic);
- Almost Gaff-less Invisible Deck (just what it says!);
- Stabbed in the Sandwich (a display of apparently awesome sleight-of-hand
that is far easier to do than it looks! Penn & Teller used a
version of this with rapper Ice-T on their Sin City TV series.);
- Point Blank (an eye-popping, seven effect card routine);
- Premonition Redux (a named card vanishes from the deck under
absolutely fair conditions);
- Hippity Cop (a simple, sleight of hand version of the Johnson
Products "Hopping Half" routine);
- Me-Fly (a handling of 3-Fly that leaves you clean);
- Handy Coins Across (a commercial Coins Across, based on a
routine of David Roth's, that takes place entirely in the spectator's
hands);
- Well In Hand Okito (a version of Roth's Out-In-Out that done
entirely in the spectator's hands);
- Direct Steal and Jumbo Coin Transformation (a new steal and
visual transformation with a 3" coin)
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Thoughts
II
8-1/2 X 11, plastic comb binding,
card stock covers, 34 pages
$20.00
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This lecture manuscript includes four routines, two of which have
been the feature of the Jamy Ian Swiss lecture since 1987: Kiss
of the Big Apple: A terrific card-in-impossible location effect.
A kiss appears on a previously initialed selection, which subsequently
vanishes from the deck and appears in a previously introduced covered
dish, filled with chocolate kisses. This routine introduced a new
addition to the Kaps Card in Container method and plot, which
has since been applied by a number of magical creators, including
John Bannon and others.
- Wish Fulfillment: the ultimate Card in Matchbook routine,
Michael Ammar has said that he prefers this one to his own "Yeast
Card," from Encore III, and has adopted elements of this routine
for his own most recent published version.
- The Self-Contained Card on Ceiling: A new way of handling
the venerable Card on Ceiling - throw away that silly Sucrets
can! A simple, self-contained prop that's a genuine part of
the routine - you'll adopt this the moment you read it. Also
included is a discussion of the "mysterious adhesion" effect
(via wax) versus the "thrown thumb-tack" effect for the Card
on Ceiling.
- A Curiously Strong Card Trick: Jamy's latest version
of the Kaps Card in Container, designed for working from the
pockets and with all the management for walk-around applications.
And in this version you - and the container! - end completely
clean. All four routines are thoroughly explained, including
all details of handling, misdirection, and presentation. Also
included are several sleights:
- The Under-The-Spread Fold, a method for folding a card
while completely surrounded;
- a very deceptive double-lift switchout;
- a simplified side steal.
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Theories
II
8-1/2 X 11, plastic comb binding,
card stock covers, 62 pages
$20.00
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A thought-provoking work, without any tricks. Includes:
- The Standards of Deception: how to improve your magic,
and how to avoid "setting off the spectator's unconscious alarms"
- SSS: The Sleight Study System: An organized system
for learning sleight-of-hand technique with cards and coins,
including very extensive recommendations, selected from throughout
the literature, for the best sources and specific sleights to
learn, along with an extended "Dissertation on the Double-Lift."
- The Swiss Classics: A Five-Foot Shelf of Magic Books:
an organized and extensive recommended reading list of over
200 titles, and more.
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The
Art of Magic
(the book) The Companion
to the PBS TV Special by Carl Waldman and Joe Layden with Jamy Ian
Swiss
(256 pp, 1997, PBS Books/R.R. Donnelley, General Publishing Group;
200 illustrations, many in color.)
$19.95
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A beautiful coffee-table style book version of the PBS documentary,
The Art of Magic, with a foreword by Siegfried & Roy and a preface
by Lance Burton. This extensively illustrated book offers a general
overview of the history of magic as practiced by shamans, court
entertainers and stage illusionists. Especially useful as a Who's
Who of contemporary magicians. A companion to the three-part PBS
series which debuted in February, 1998. A nice book to show to non-magician
friends, and also a beautiful gift item.
And, also available from PBS:
The
Art of Magic
The entire PBS documentary
on videotape
(Length: 150 minutes on 2 tapes; Closed Captioned)
Go beyond tricks and conjuring to the power and traditions of magic!
Discover the people who created and performed the illusions, philosophies
and history of this ancient art. Using fascinating archival footage
and stills, go back in time to learn about the early practitioners
of magic, Isaac Fawkes, Cagliostro and the Fox Sisters and the true
masters of the craft who appeared at the beginning and the middle
of this century: Cardini, John Nevel Maskelyne, Harry Houdini and
Channing Pollock. Then thrill to the accomplishments of contemporary
magicians like Siegfried and Roy, Jamy Ian Swiss, Lance Burton and
more.
Purchase the video from PBS here.
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Magic
for Dummies
By David Pogue
$19.99
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The coolest magic tricks have been gathered together in one book,
best-selling author David Pogue's Magic For Dummies, which is guaranteed
to leave your friends, family and coworkers spellbound at your mastery
of the mystical arts. Perform great magic at the drop of a hat with
these tips and tricks -- literally -- from Pogue and 35 of America's
top professional magicians - including a contribution from Jamy
Ian Swiss! One of the best introductory magic books available, using
simple tricks to illustrated important concepts of performance,
misdirection, psychology and more. With a little practice (and some
clever misdirection, which lays at the heart of all magic tricks),
you'll bewitch everyone around you with card tricks, coin tricks,
disappearing acts, and even mind-reading! Magic For Dummies features
more than 90 deceptions, illusions, and sleights of hand for all
occasions, along with photos, patter, and presentation tips for
every trick in the book. A great gift for someone who is considering
magic as a hobby. |
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Visual
Explanations
By Edward Tufte
$45.00
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With Visual Explanations, Edward R. Tufte adds a third volume to
his indispensable series on information display. The first, The
Visual Display of Quantitative Information, which focuses on charts
and graphs that display numerical information, virtually defined
the field. The second, Envisioning Information, explores similar
territory but with an emphasis on maps and cartography. Visual Explanations
centers on dynamic data--information that changes over time. (Tufte
has described the three books as being about, respectively, "pictures
of numbers, pictures of nouns, and pictures of verbs.") The book
includes a chapter, "Explaining Magic," co-authored by Jamy Ian
Swiss; it is the only collaborative material in Tufte's three landmark
texts on information design.
Like its predecessors, Visual Explanations is both intellectually
stimulating and beautiful to behold. Tufte, a self-publisher, takes
extraordinary pains with design and production. The book ranges
through a variety of topics, including the explosion of the space
shuttle Challenger (which could have been prevented, Tufte argues,
by better information display on the part of the rocket's engineers),
illustrating magic tricks, a cholera epidemic in 19th-century London,
and the principle of using "the smallest effective difference" to
display distinctions in data. Throughout, Tufte presents ideas with
crystalline clarity and illustrates them in exquisitely rendered
samples. |
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The
Visual Display of Quantitative Information
By
Edward Tufte
$40.00
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A timeless classic in how complex information should be presented
graphically. The Strunk & White of visual design. Should occupy
a place of honor--within arm's reach--of everyone attempting to
understand or depict numerical data graphically. The design of the
book is an exemplar of the principles it espouses: elegant typography
and layout, and seamless integration of lucid text and perfectly
chosen graphical examples. |
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Envisioning
Information
By Edward Tufte
$48.00
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A remarkable range of examples for the idea of visual thinking,
with beautifully printed pages. A real treat for all who reason
and learn by means of images. |
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