I've been reading magic books for almost 50 years, and I can categorically state that Performing Magic by Tony Middleton is the most important magical publication of them all to date. It's a masterpiece, and long, long overdue. Congratulations to Tony Middleton and all who made this great book possible. It's a real treasure!--Steve Cook - author of Legend: An anecdotal tribute to Ken Brooke. This is a book for those who want to perform magic successfully in the real world. It is the only magic book in history that teaches you, step-by-step, how to create a magic act from start to finish: from initial conception to walking out in front of an audience. The book is heavily focused on performance techniques, and performing successfully for the public. It is like having your very own director and magic mentor working with you - teaching you the real secrets about performance. There is no formal training for magicians in the art and craft of performing in the real world, and this is an extensive, thorough handbook, that will guide you each step of the way. The secrets in this book have been discovered by top working magicians through years of performance for the public, many of whom have kept this information to themselves because it has set them apart in the business. In these pages you will discover how to make yourself more unique and memorable that any other magician, create original magic, gain incredible stage presence and gain ten times the reaction you ever thought possible from your audience. As Paul Daniels says in his foreword: if you get one good idea from a book then you should be well satisfied with your investment. But in this book you will get not one, not two, but dozens of presentational thoughts, ideas and tips that will improve your performance. David Berglas says that 'if you are serious about performing magic, you cannot afford not to have this on your shelf' and Kevin James comments that 'this is one of the best books I have ever read'. These top professionals know the importance of learning and perfecting the craft of performing for the public. So should you. Whether you are just starting, or have been performing magic for years, there is guaranteed to be something in this book that will take your magic to the next level. Pages: 283 - 7" x 9.5" - Hardcover - Dust jacket.