Jim Steinmeyer Book order

Exploring the genuine history of magic, this book reveals its significance and impact throughout time. It delves into the cultural and psychological roles magic has played in society, shedding light on its relevance beyond mere entertainment. By examining various magical traditions and practices, the author uncovers the deeper meanings and purposes behind magical beliefs, inviting readers to appreciate the profound connections between magic and human experience.

The acclaimed author of The Last Greatest Magician in the World sleuths out literature's iconic vampire, uncovering the source material—from folklore and history, to personas including Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman—behind Bram Stoker's lord of the undead. Praise for Who Was Dracula? “A fantastic, well-documented story.” —Library Journal (starred review) “[A] well-researched and entertaining take on Dracula’s origin story.” —Publishers Weekly “Who Was Dracula? chronicles the misadventures of Bram Stoker and his numerous friends and colleagues, both famous and obscure, hoping to unearth the recipe for a truly iconic character.” —San Francisco Book Review “Who Was Dracula? is a book you’ll want to sink your teeth into.” —“The Bookworm Sez”

From the author of Hiding the Elephant and The Glorious Deception comes a collection of five essays that shows how the great stage illusions were integrally products of their time, based on the traditions and fashions of the people, and the offspring of the incredible, inventive personalities who brought them to the stage. Like no other author, Jim Steinmeyer gives us insight into the timeless appeal of magic. His human subjects include such characters as Steele MacKaye, Maskelyne, David Devant, P.T. Selbit, Horace Goldin, and Charles Morritt. Illusions he discusses The Mascot Moth, Sawing a Lady in Halves, and Morritt's Disappearing Donkey.

Presents a story of the Golden Age of magic and of the world's legendary magicians: the personalities who patented the first ghost and competed fiendishly in the race to make things materialize, levitate and disappear. This book is the masterwork of a man who has dedicated his life to magic, who knows the tricks inside out, and still believes.