Modern Enchantments : The Cultural Power of Secular Magic

Rating:
Summary: Magic: a serious business?
Review: Apparently this is the first overview of stage magic from an academic perspective. But it's not just about magic tricks: it deals with magic and literature, magic and film, the theory of popular culture and a helluva lot else besides. Sometimes requires real concentration (the chapters on magic history are easiest), but I learnt a lot. This is one of the best books in cultural history I have read over the past few year: after reading it you wont think about popular culture history the same way again. Highly recommended.