Magic in Theory An Introduction to the Theoretical and Psychological Elements of Conjuring

A useful manual for any magician or curious spectator who wonders why the tricks seem so real, this guide examines the psychological aspects of a magician's work. Exploring the ways in which human psychology plays into the methods of conjuring rather than focusing on the individual tricks alone, this explanation of the general principles of magic includes chapters on the use of misdirection, sleight of hand, and reconstruction, provides a better understanding of this ancient art, and offers a section on psychics that warns of their deceptive magic skills.

Peter Lamont is a research fellow at the Koestler Parapsychology unit at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of Deception & Self-Deception: Investigating Psychics and Guidelines for Testing Psychic Claimants. Richard Wiseman heads the psychology research unit at the University of Hertfordshire. He is the author of The Luck Factor.