Barry Murray

By the time you have read the first three sentences in the introduction to this book, you will have been told to get three props at hand -- a banknote and two paperclips. Then in four easy steps, accompanied by black and white photo illustrations, you will be told and shown how to set up and perform a trick in which the paperclips attached to opposite ends of the folded banknote will pop off and link together in a surprising snap. Daniels explains the trick as "a transference of the curves in the banknote to the paperclips so that they link together" as illustrated in a final photograph. All you have to do to turn this self-amusing exercise into a performance is to think of something interesting to say as you do the trick for the amusement of others. From this point on, throughout the remainder of the book, practice, patter, and performance will be the keys to Paul Daniels Adult Magic. Fun is sure to follow.

The book progresses along a rather unusual but ordered path. Daniels will take us from our work in the field to our work in the office with tricks appropriate for each venue. He will then take us out to lunch and show us some tricks at the dining table. When work is done, it's off to the pub where tricks can be done with props that are commonplace in that setting. When finally we arrive at home for the night, there are small wonders for amusing children and card tricks for amusing adults.

Chapter 2 promotes magic as a stress-reliever from our work-a-day world. Play with these tricks -- The Irish Compass, One to Four Countdown, The Seven Deadly Sins, and Ron's Diversion -- and you will discover that stress cannot coexist with such recreation.

Chapter 3 is about Sales Magic, giving you an edge over your competitors in sales by getting people to notice you and your product. Here you will learn about Paul's Puzzle Box, the Spirit Card, a No Cards Mental Test, Branded Tastes, The Mentalist, and Magic Squares.

Chapter 4 takes the magician into a company office where tricks can be done with familiar workplace items such as a memo, a sheet of paper, a calculator, a calendar, a pencil, pens & notepads.

In Chapter 5, it's time for lunch. The dining table is full of props that are ready-made for Daniels' magic: spoons, bread rolls, fortune cookies, and drinking glasses. According to Daniels, the trick he describes with a drinking glass, a sheet of dental rubber dam, and two coins, "might just be the best trick in the book."

Chapter 6 introduces the reader to "Magic After Hours." These are tricks for the pub that involve amusements with banknotes, fingers, matches, cigarettes, and pocket pens. You will also learn to do "impossible" juggling and balancing acts.

In Chapter 7, it's time to go home and amuse your children with Fly Away Peter, The Shooting Hanky, The Invisible Hair, Lulu, The Animated Mouse, Thumb Stuff, and two paper-folding entertainments -- The Money Ring and the Flapping Bird.

Finally, with the kids put to bed, the remainder of the book is given to card magic for the amusement of the adults in the house.

Chapter 8 teaches Basic Card Handling - grips, shuffles, spreads, pick-ups, turn-overs, cuts, passes, forces, and fanning.

Chapter 9 is about tricks for the card table. There are tricks that can be done with borrowed packs of cards and tricks with decks that require secret preparation. Daniels describes a great four-ace trick created by Dai Vernon. At the end of the chapter, Daniels explains how to deal a perfect poker hand. Proving yourself to be a master card-man is icing on the cake.

Chapter 10 is devoted to card novelties. Daniels introduces such bits of business as Spelling the Pack, Odd Couples, Wind-Up, Checking the Pack, Card-Players' Quiz, Drop Challenge, and Turn-Up Challenge.

Chapter 11, the final chapter in the book, is dedicated to Six Great Card Tricks. These tricks are so good that Daniels precedes their description with this word of advice: "Don't attempt to perform all these together. Each is a 'closer.'" The tricks are named Compulsion, Half Cut Coincidence, The Crystal Gazer, Telepathetic Do As I Do, Dial A Miracle, and The Lie Detector.

Practice the routines, learn the patter, and perform the magic. You will have fun and your public will be entertained. Let Paul Daniels Adult Magic be your guide.

About Paul Daniels. Paul Daniels is a British magician and television performer who achieved national fame through his television series, The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994. Daniels also starred in his own stage show, It's Magic, at the Prince of Wales Theatre from 1980 to 1982. At that time, the show was one of the longest-running magic shows ever staged in London. Daniels was awarded the prestigious "Magician of the Year" Award by the Hollywood Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Palace in 1983. He was the first magician from outside the US to receive it. In 1985, Daniels and his assistant (and wife) Debbie McGee starred in Wizbit, a BBC children's television show in which an alien magician called Wizbit and a large rabbit called Wooly had adventures in a place called Puzzleopolis. Daniels currently owns a magic shop in Wigan town center.

About the Author. Author Barry Murray, with assistance from conjuror Paul Daniels, was the creator of Wizbit, the 1985 BBC children's television show. Before that, Murray was Mungo Jerry's record producer. Mungo Jerry is an English folk/classic rock group whose greatest success was in the early 1970s. Their biggest hit was "In the Summertime."… (meer)