Research Catalog

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

Items in the Library & Off-site

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

• Magic > Psychological aspects
• Magic > History
• Magicians > Psychology
• Magic

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

text

still 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