The Lives of the Conjurors

About this book

A conjuror palms a coin, another escapes from a seemingly impossible restraint, and a public audience applauds what it cannot explain. Thomas Frost takes the reader behind the reputations of such performers.

The Lives of the Conjurors traces the histories, tricks and remarkable careers of magicians who entertained Europe and beyond. Its stories preserve the theatrical world of illusion before modern stage technology transformed the craft. There is a particular pleasure in discovering how much wonder could be created with dexterity, timing and an audience willing to be deceived.