MAGIC The Complete Course by Joshya Jay

We all got into magic in different ways and for different reasons. And when we reflect back on our paths to magic, it’s easy to second-guess what we should started with, or what we could have done differently. There’s that voice in all of us that echoes, If I could go back then, knowing what I know now, I would be a much better magician.

Over the last two years, I was given a unique opportunity. I got to write “the book” on magic. MAGIC: The Complete Course is my approach to starting in magic. Yes, it’s a beginner’s book, but as nearly every magician who has written about has said, this is not exclusively for the beginner. There is much in this book that will be of interest to anyone who loves magic.
The book to ages to outline; I had to develop a curriculum for someone just starting in our wonderful craft. Then I had to write the thing, then edit it, then shoot the photographs, the film the DVD that comes with it. Oh, and then I had to promote it for three months.
The whole experience was amazing, and I’m very proud of the results. This is just the sort of book I would have loved when I started in magic, and I believe it sends the right message to would-be magicians. It builds the art up, and preaches the importance of presentation (something I thought was missing from most other beginner guides).
The book itself is nearly two-hundred pages, full color, and it comes with a feature-length DVD performing and explaining many tricks from the book. Because it’s a mass-market paperback, the price point is also attractive: 20 dollars for the book and DVD.
There has been some discussion among magicians about the exposure issue in the book, because some of the material I’ve included is so good. This is not the place to open that can ‘o worms, but what I will say is this. In the short time since the book has come out, I have received countless letters from people of all ages and in all places who have fallen in love with magic, thanks to this book. My goal was to offer material of the highest quality as a means of garnering interest and respect—it was never intended as exposure. We have to ask ourselves where the line is between exposure and teaching, and the purpose of both. I stand by my efforts with MAGIC: The Complete Course and hope that you, as magicians, read this book in the spirit in which it was written: to add interest and respect to magic.