The History of Magic

This edition traces the history of mentalism, from the oracle of Delphi through the age of Spiritualism to today's psychological trickster, Derren Brown.

This edition traces the story of how magicians learnt to defy gravity, creating the spectacular levitations that became the centrepieces of the great stage shows of the golden age of magic, including the legendary Indian rope trick.

This edition tells the story of sleight-of-hand magic, looking at close-up performers such Cardini, a card manipulator who learnt his skills in the WWI trenches. And Paul Daniels re-enacts great magic tricks of the legendary Max Malini.

This edition features some of the most impressive 'grand illusions' ever achieved and culminates in an effect never before seen on television, as American magician Franz Harary attempts his biggest ever disappearance, London's Tower Bridge.

This edition looks at dangerous stunts including those performed by the master of escapology, Harry Houdini, as well as the one trick that not even he would attempt - the Bullet Catch. "Nobody wants a man to fall to his death but they want to be there when it happens." -Houdini

This edition shows how magicians have always been drawn to illusions which feature the power of death and restoration - from fake decapitations in Elizabethan mystery plays to modern performers like the Amazing Johnathan.