Spectacle of Illusion: Magic, the paranormal & the complicity of the mind

The Spectacle of Illusion is a captivating book by Dr. Matthew L. Tompkins that explores the arts of deception as practised by mesmerists, magicians, and psychics since the early 18th century. It investigates how illusions can deceive our senses and teach us about the inner workings of our minds. The book is highly illustrated with entertaining and bizarre drawings, double-exposure spirit photographs, and photographs of spoon-bending from hitherto inaccessible and un-mined archives. It also features newly commissioned photography of planchettes, rapping boards, tilting tables, ectoplasm, automata, and illusion boxes. The book concludes with a modern-day analysis of the science of magic and illusion, analysing phenomena such as ideomotor action, sleep paralysis, choice blindness, and the psychology of misdirection.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2019
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

In his captivating book, "The Spectacle of Illusion," Dr. Matthew L. Tompkins delves into the captivating world of deception, exploring the art of illusion as practised and popularised by mesmerists, magicians, and psychics since the early 18th century. Organised thematically within a broadly chronological trajectory, this compelling work delves into the profound ways in which illusions perpetuated by these practitioners can deceive our senses and shed light on the inner workings of our minds.

Indeed, modern scientists are increasingly turning to magic tricks as a means to develop new techniques for examining human perception, memory, and belief.

Beginning with a discussion of mesmerism and spiritualism, the book proceeds to examine how professional magicians like John Nevil Maskelyne and Harry Houdini engaged with these movements, particularly how they sought to challenge and debunk paranormal claims. It also traces the interactions between magicians, mystics, and scientists over the past two centuries, revealing how researchers who attempted to investigate magical and paranormal phenomena were themselves deceived, and what this can teach us about the art of deception.

Throughout the book, Dr. Tompkins presents highly illustrated content, including entertaining and bizarre drawings, double-exposure spirit photographs, and photographs of spoon-bending from hitherto inaccessible and un-mined archives, including the Wellcome Collection, the Harry Price Library, the Society for Physical Research, and the Magic Circles' closely guarded collection. Additionally, the book features newly commissioned photography of planchettes, rapping boards, tilting tables, ectoplasm, automata, and illusion boxes.

Concluding with a modern-day analysis of the enduring appeal of illusion, "The Spectacle of Illusion" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the power of deception and its impact on our understanding of the world. This captivating book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, psychology, and magic of illusion.

Weight: 844g
Dimension: 178 x 246 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500022429