Mysterious Stranger: A Book of Magic

by David Blaine

Book Overview

Mysterious Stranger allows readers to bring Blaine's magic directly into their minds, demonstrating his belief that you don't get into magic, magic gets into you. In the book are secrets of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375505733
• ISBN13: 9780375505737
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Villard
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.2" x 0.9" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Very good read

This is a very good read, part history of magic, part biography of Blaine himself. It's filled with interesting history of magic and experience from Blaine's life. What I find the most facinating about Blaine is that his stunts, burried alive for 7 days, entombed in ice for 3 days, and standing on a 83 foot pillar for 2 days with nothing to catch him if he fell, are all real tests of endurance. Unlike other magicians who use trickery for their stunts *cough*Criss Angel*cough*, Blaine's stunts are as real and grueling as they seem. A great read for all who are interested in magic, or anyone who is a fan of Blaine's

The Stranger

The book was good. It's a quick read. Keep in mind this isn't a book that tells you the secrets of magic, but it teaches you a few things and is a great reference book on Blaines life and other great magicans too. I reccomend it for non-magicians too. If you're wondering who this mysterious stranger is and where he came from I suggest this book. $8-10.00 used isn't bad at all. Give it a shot

"If this is magic, let it be an art"

David Blaine's Mysterious Stranger is a very interesting and creative book. I was drawn to the mystifying cover and after thumbing through the book and seeing all the intriguing photographs and clever style and format, I knew I had to check this book out even though I was not aware of Blaine's work save for headlines for his sensational stunts.Blaine is a true expert in his craft. He is an historian of magic and this book includes stories about many of the important figures in the art of illusions and escapology: Dedi who performed for Cheops in Ancient Egypt, the stone eaters, Robert-Houdin, Max Malini, Alexander Herrmann, Titanic Thompson--a con-man who even outwitted Al Capone, the fascinating Stylites who lived atop high pillars to escape the evilness of earthly life, and, of course, Harry Houdini. Blaine puts his heart and soul into his magic. He includes stories of his childhood, how he became interested in magic (seeing a photo of Houdini who was clinging to a railing with his chin), and his devotion to his late mother. Accompany this history are guides to basic card tricks and illusions, so be sure you have a deck handy when reading this book.He also, of course, describes experiences that made him famous: filming his television show Street Magic, attending a voodoo ceremony in Haiti, braving the Venezuelan rainforest to meet the Yanomano Indians, and his daredevil stunts of being buried alive, standing in ice, and standing on a pillar. He describes his grueling regime of preparation which included learning to sleep while standing up while preparing for his ice demonstration. Blaine shows a deep appreciation for the tradition behind his stunts and illusions. His claim that magic brings all people together because people of different ethnicity, religions, and social status all come to see his stunts seems a bit much. One can say such things about many different spectacles, but when they are over, people go their separate ways. Still, the book is fascinating and some of the illustrations will stay with me for a long time. Anyone interested in the unusual will enjoy Mysterious Stranger.

WOW!

I'm a fan of David Blaine and picked this up at the Library. I started reading after dinner and finished the book at 11 p.m. I just couldn't stop reading -- was totally mezmerized! For those who have studied magic or are more familiar with famous magicians, perhaps this book covers old ground. But for someone like me who enjoys Blaine's magical stunts and personality but who didn't know much about the old-time magicians in the book, it was totally fascinating! The photos, illustrations, and artwork on the pages also help to make it an interesting read. Highly recommended!

Blaine ROCKS!!!!

I just received this book and I could not put it down until I finished it, literally! Blaine is very articulate, engaging, and entertaining with his writing! It is a mix of highlights in magic history, Blaine's personal history, and some great magic to learn!! What more could one ask for? The book is beautifully illustrated!!!If you're a fan of David Blaine, history, and or magic I would highly recommend this book!! David has done it again!!