John Mulholland's Story of Magic
The Development of the Art of Illusion by the CIA's Master Magician
Magic has entranced public forums for hundreds of years, pre-dating many other forms of entertainment that we enjoy today. This ancient art, with its captivating illusions and seemingly impossible sleight of hand, is still as relevant today as ever. Originally published in 1935, master magician John Mulholland's Story of Magic is a delightful tour through the progression of magic, from its origin to the book's contemporary period. It offers insights and reflections on famous routines and tricks, black-and-white photographs and illustrations to give readers visual reference, as well as informative facts that weave together a timeline of events for those interested in the history of magic. With a brand-new foreword written by renowned master magician and historian Ben Robinson, this timeless classic will enchant readers and educate them on the art of magic.
John Mulholland was an American magician, author, publisher, and CIA operative. Throughout his life, he published many books on magic history, as well as served as the editor to a well-known magic trade magazine called The Sphinx. After resigning from the magazine, he was enlisted by the CIA to write a book on deception and manipulation. He died in February 1970.
Ben Robinson has performed six different one-man shows (currently MysteriuM) and has been seen in twenty countries (more than three million people entertained) since 1974. He credits his success to one thing: creating wonder. He’s received awards from The International Brotherhood of Magicians, The Society of American Magicians, and the Milbourne Christopher Foundation. After 9/11, the NYPD gave him an Honorary Shield for his relief efforts. In 2008, Robinson penned The Magician: John Mulholland’s Secret Life—the first biography of Mulholland that includes never-before-seen documents and unpublished photographs the famous magician’s time spent working with CIA.
