10 Best Magic Books UK 2023 | Mark Wilson, Dariel Fitzkee and More

Whilst all of the books on this list are worthy of a read, The Royal Road to Card Magic is a must-read for anyone delving into the world of card magic. The go-to source for both beginners and experts alike, almost every prominent magician owns a copy of this book.

It's a comprehensive study of the most important tricks involving a deck of cards, containing in-depth explanations of the sleight of hand needed to achieve them. If you can master the key techniques explained within these pages, your dream of being a master magician will be well in toe!

One of the top books for beginner magicians, Expert Card Technique: Close-Up Table Magic, teaches you everything you need to know about cards. It goes above and beyond the usual tips and tricks, delving deep into methods previously only known by expert magicians.

As well as over 300 tricks, you'll learn palming, reverses, rear palms, false cuts and shuffles. It also includes detailed illustrations which show you exactly where your hands need to be at all times, making it that much easier for beginners to learn.

Written by one of the most famous authors in the industry, Dariel Fitzkee is a master magician that anyone could stand to learn a thing or two from. This is not a book containing a multitude of tricks, but a detailed look into one of the fundamental theories of magic - misdirection.

To trick your audience beyond measure and produce that sense of awe that every magician seeks, you need to master misdirection. This guide really breaks down the fundamentals into their most basic form, teaching you exactly why and how it works.

Totalling 500 pages, this is quite an intense read! That's because The Complete Course in Magic is a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of magic.Whether you're interested in sleight of hand or parlour magic, it includes overviews, secrets, and step by step explanations of each discipline, from simple card tricks to levitation. 

Many professional magicians have Mark Wilson's book in a prime spot on their bookshelf as it covers the basis of practically everything and can be dipped in and out of as and when is needed. It even includes illusions and mentalist magic.

If you're interested in coin magic, this is the one book you need. The key to all things coin, this is an excellent resource for learning sleight of hand, palm plays and vanishing techniques.

Even though Modern Coin Magic is an in-depth look at one particular area, it's still a top pick for beginners. That's because it will familiarise you with all the basic foundations and techniques to succeed, including other tools and props that you can use to add to your performance.

If your dream is to become the master card manipulator, this is the book for you. Many magicians worldwide swear hands down to this being the best book for learning card tricks, but more than that, it teaches you how to be the master of your deck.

Including everything from false shuffling, cutting from the bottom, palming cards and a wealth of tricks, this is an essential read for truly understanding the craft and honing your skills and techniques. That said, it is a little outdated, so you may want to supplement it with a more contemporary read. 

The Tarbell Course in Magic is another one of the classics. Even though it may have a few outdated suggestions, such as borrowing a hat or a handkerchief from the audience (items that you can no longer guarantee your audience will have), it does explain some very important topics and theories regarding magic performance.

Inside are over 100 detailed lessons on all aspects, including parlour magic, close-up and stage magic. Just be aware that this is only book one of an 8-volume set. Highly respected, this series forms the basis of nearly all modern-day magic tricks.

The world-renowned Strong Magic is like a bible for close-up showmanship. Written by a highly successful magician who worked in the industry for over two decades, Darwin Ortiz knows his stuff! The book lets you in on the secrets behind what really moves an audience, but as we know, secrets come with a price!

Rather than a compilation of tricks, this is a book about the theory of magic and what makes an audience tick, gasp, and be in utter awe. This might not be the best for beginners, but once you've got a few tricks up your sleeve, this book will teach you how to present to an audience in the best way possible.

Magic the Complete Course is one of the most comprehensive introductions to magic. It assumes you are a complete beginner, detailing everything from stage performances to close up magic, including tricks, tips and theories on how to perform.

If you still like a little video practice to see just how things are done, this is an excellent choice as this book includes a DVD. There are also numerous routines that combine the multiple tricks that you've learned throughout the book to get you going. That said, if you're already a little knowledgeable in this field, it's probably not one for you.

If you're interested in mental magic, or the illusion of controlling and reading your audience's minds, then Practical Mental Magic is the book for you. When it comes to mentalism, this is one of the best resources out there, even if it is a little outdated.

Initially published in 1944, this book is a collection of all the classic mentalist tricks that many magicians base their routines on today. It contains over 200 mental effects, including illustrations and instructions for each, covering the 12 main categories within this field, including psychic codes, book tests and blindfold reading.