In this new book, Jim Steinmeyer presents five engaging, insightful essays on the subject of stage illusions. These are the stories of the ground-breaking inventions: the inventors,traditions, evolution and rediscovery of some of magic's greatest mysteries. These are astonishing stories of theatrical wizards, explained from the perspective of the stage, society and technology. Steele MacKaye and the mysteries theatre he planned for Chicago...the secrets of the Mascot Moth, from London to Broadway...Charles Morritt»s lost innovations in magical optics...Selbit's greatest achievement...Maskelyne's failure at St. George»s Hall. It's part detective story and part history. It's a chance to appreciate the great thoughts behind this subtle art of magic. 192 pages with 23 diagrams, beautifully hard-bound with decorative gold-stamped cover.