Review by Nick Lewin

Vanish International Magic Magazine

Making Magic is the kind of book that the magic world does not see often; It aims high and exceeds its goal. Packed full of high quality routines, the writing and illustrations are exceptional.

When you catch the subtle word play in the title of the book you realize that much of the material requires a little construction and handiwork is required to bring the routines into being. That’s why the writing and illustrations are so important. I am not much of a “do it yourself” guy, but Lewis guides you with a quiet expertise.

The tricks themselves are high quality and very commercial, with many of them direct from Martin’s act or his companies roster of marketed effects. There is even a separate disc that contains the templates and extra information that you will need to construct Martin’s latest miracles.

I heartily recommend this book and think it is destined to become a contemporary classic of magic. It is a wonderful example of how magic, method and the way they are taught can coalesce into something really special.

Review by Michael Close

Making Magic is a treasure chest of practical, commercial, and baffling routines for both stage and close-up. Every bit of vital information is explained, including artwork and construction diagrams, handling details, and Martin’s witty presentations. It is one of the finest resources for this type of material I’ve ever seen, and is a bargain at the price.

I could probably just stop here; at this point you pretty much know everything you need to know to make an intelligent purchasing decision, but I’ll fill in a few more details.

Sixty effects are explained in Making Magic; thirty-seven are stand-up routines. If you’ve ever tried to put together a stand-up show, you quickly realize there is a dearth of great stand-up material. This is why so many performers use the same routines. In Martin’s book you’ll find fresh approaches to some classic plots (for example, Playing with Your Food, Martin’s take on the Mental Epic effect). Yes, you’ll have to spend a little time (and/or money) to construct the props, but if you do so, you’ll have some great routines not many others are performing.

Finally, there are some great stories. Martin was fortunate to have been on the West Coast during the golden years of the Magic Castle; his reminiscences of those times are scattered throughout the book. In particular, the stories of Vernon and the pool table, Lou Derman and the greatest card trick ever performed, and Harry Anderson and the animal trap are personal favorites.

So here’s the bottom line: if you do stand-up magic (whether or not you’re a do-it-yourselfer) you need this book. If you’re looking for close-up magic that won’t bust your chops, you need this book. Or if you’re just interested in seeing how one of magic’s premier creators designs his miracles, you need this book. For what you get, the price is ridiculously low. Making Magic is one of the best magic books I’ve ever read. Buy it; you won’t regret it. It has my highest recommendation.