Research Catalog
The spectacle of illusion : magic, the paranormal & the complicity of the mind
- Title
- The spectacle of illusion : magic, the paranormal & the complicity of the mind / Matthew L. Tompkins.
- Author
- Tompkins, Matthew L.
- Publication
- London : Thames and Hudson : Wellcome Collection, 2019.
- ©2019
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Text | Request in advance | MZC 19-2895 | Offsite |
Details
- Additional Authors
- Wellcome Collection.
- Description
- 224 pages : illustrations (chiefly color); 25 cm
- Summary
- In 'The Spectacle of Illusion', professional magician-turned experimental psychologist Dr. Matthew L. Tompkins investigates the arts of deception as practised and popularised by mesmerists, magicians and psychics since the early 18th century. Organised thematically within a broadly chronological trajectory, this compelling book explores how illusions perpetuated by magicians and fraudulent mystics can not only deceive our senses but also teach us about the inner workings of our minds. Indeed, modern scientists are increasingly turning to magic tricks to develop new techniques to examine human perception, memory and belief. 0Beginning by discussing mesmerism and spiritualism, the book moves on to consider how professional magicians such as John Nevil Maskelyne and Harry Houdini engaged with these movements - particularly how they set out to challenge and debunk paranormal claims. It also relates the interactions between magicians, mystics and scientists over the past 200 years, and reveals how the researchers who attempted to investigate magical and paranormal phenomena were themselves deceived, and what this can teach us about deception.
- Subject
- Genre/Form
- History.
- Note
- "534 illustrations."
- "This book was pubished in partnership with Wellcome Collection on the occasion of the exhibition 'Smoke and mirrors : the psychology of magic' ... held at Wellcome Collection, London, from 11 April to 15 September 2019."--Colophon.
- Bibliography (note)
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-220) and index.
- Call Number
- MZC 19-2895
- ISBN
- 9780500022429
- 0500022429
- OCLC
- 1085196185
- Author
- Tompkins, Matthew L., author.
- Title
- The spectacle of illusion : magic, the paranormal & the complicity of the mind / Matthew L. Tompkins.
- Publisher
- London : Thames and Hudson : Wellcome Collection, 2019.
- Copyright Date
- ©2019
- Type of Content
- textstill image
- Type of Medium
- unmediated
- Type of Carrier
- volume
- Bibliography
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-220) and index.
- Added Author
- Wellcome Collection.
- Research Call Number
- MZC 19-2895