🧙 10 Must-Have Magic Books to Learn Magic Tricks

Want to become a magician? Whether you’re just starting out or refining your sleight of hand, these must-have magic books are the ultimate resources to learn magic like a pro. In a world flooded with online tutorials, magic books remain the gold standard for in-depth learning.

In this article, we cover the 10 best magic books that every aspiring magician should own. Let’s dive in!

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1. Royal Road to Card Magic by Jean Hugard & Frederick Braue

Best For: Beginners learning card tricks
Pages: 310+
Originally Published: 1949

A timeless classic, this is your go-to starting point for card magic. It covers over 20 card sleights and more than 100 tricks using those moves.

📚 Reference: Hugard & Braue’s official techniques are still used by top card magicians today.
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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2. Modern Coin Magic by J.B. Bobo

Best For: Coin magic beginners to intermediates
Pages: 300+
Originally Published: 1952

This is the coin magician’s Bible. You’ll learn basic vanishes, palms, and complete routines. Illustrated and highly detailed.

📚 Reference: Learn coin magic with J.B. Bobo’s Modern Coin Magic
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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3. Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic

Best For: All-round beginners
Pages: 500+
Originally Published: 1975

If you want one book to cover everything from card tricks to stage illusions, this is it. Clear illustrations, beginner-friendly, and used by pros worldwide.

📚 Reference: A Comprehensive book to learn stage and close-up magic
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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4. Expert at the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase

Best For: Intermediate to advanced card magicians
Originally Published: 1902

This book is both a classic and a mystery—nobody knows who Erdnase really was. The techniques here are advanced, but foundational.

📚 Reference: Expert at the Card Table for advanced card magicians
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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5. Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz

Best For: Performance psychology & theory
Pages: 300+
Published: 1994

If you know how to do tricks but want to make them unforgettable, this is your manual. Learn about audience control, misdirection, and creating impact.

📚 Reference: Magic performance skills – How to perform magic and misdirection in magic
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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6. The Tarbell Course in Magic (Vol. 1-8)

Best For: All skill levels & all types of magic
Pages: 3000+ total
Published: 1920s-70s

Originally a correspondence course, this 8-volume series is the most complete magic course ever written. A very good collection of magic books to learn magic, mentalism, and illusions.

📚 Reference: A Complete Course in Magic
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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7. Magic and Showmanship: A Handbook for Conjurers by Henning Nelms

Best For: Stage presence & presentation
Pages: 300+
Published: 1969

Focuses on how to be entertaining, not just skillful. A hidden gem for learning theatrical elements of magic.

📚 Reference: Theatrical elements and showmanship in magic
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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8. 13 Steps to Mentalism by Tony Corinda

Best For: Aspiring mentalists
Pages: 400+
Published: 1961

If you’re drawn to mind-reading and psychological illusions, this is your handbook. Covers telepathy, predictions, cold reading, and more.

📚 Reference: Learn mind-reading and mental illlusions
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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9. Practical Mental Magic by Theodore Annemann

Best For: Mentalists & close-up magicians
Pages: 300+
Published: 1944

Annemann’s work emphasizes practical methods—minimal props, maximum effect. Still used by working mentalists today.

📚 Reference: Learn mental magic with Annemann’s guide
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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10. The Magic Way by Juan Tamariz

Best For: Theory and deception
Pages: 250+
Published: 1987 (revised edition 2016)

Tamariz is a legendary Spanish magician who explores the structure of magic and what makes it convincing. This book reveals the “false solution” theory to fool audiences.

📚 Reference: Structures of the magical art and how to make it convincing.
🔗 Buy on Amazon

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How To Learn Magic Book Recommendations

Book Title	Best For	Skill Level	Link
Royal Road to Card Magician	Card magicians	Beginner	Amazon
Modern Coin	Coin magicians	All	Amazon
Mark Wilson’s Course	All-round	Beginner	Amazon
Expert at the Card Table	Card sleights	Advanced	Amazon
Strong Magic	Performance	Intermediate+	Amazon
Tarbell Course	Full curriculum	All	Amazon
Magic & Showmanship	Presentation	Intermediate	Amazon
13 Steps to Mentalism	Mind magic	Intermediate	Amazon
Practical Mental Magic	Minimal props	All	Amazon
The Magic Way	Theory & deception	Advanced	Amazon

🧩 Bonus: Where to Buy Magic Books in Malta

If you’re based in Malta, you can:

• Check local bookstores like Agenda Bookshop
• Check Out My Magic For Sale Website
• Or contact me for any live Magic Show Malta’s Events, Workshops and Sales.

🎯 Final Thoughts

These 10 must-have magic books are essential tools in any magician’s library. Whether you’re a hobbyist, street magician, or planning your first stage show in Malta (or anywhere in the world), they’ll guide you on how to learn magic tricks the right way—with real depth and professionalism.

🪄 Want to Start Learning Magic Live?

Everyone needs a helping hand at times. If you are interested to learning magic and the tricks of the trade properly, in-depth knowledge and technique of the art will be of importance. Contact me to ask about any current magic workshops in Malta at Magic Show Malta. Get hands-on training from me and other professional magicians from across the world. Attain access to books and live mentoring sessions.

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A Brief 100 Year History Of Magic

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