“You certainly have put a lot of deep, and very productive, thought into your famous principle. I wish I could be at your lecture in order to see for myself how it all works when it’s properly done.” – Paul Curry

“Mr. Gilbreath is eminently qualified as a performing magician of skill and experience, and as a creative inventor of unusual magic effects that are widely known and used.” – Martin Gardner

“Not long ago in the Magic Castle, some Japanese visitors clustered around an intense silver-haired man who was seemingly manipulating the magnetic fields of colored rods and discs. The visitors were the Tenyo brain trust, and their admiring exclamations—during effect and explanation—were those of experts watching a master. The master’s name will live as long as cards are riffle shuffled, thanks to the wonderfully counter-intuitive principle that bears his name.” – Gordon Bean

“It was a pleasure to meet you at Magic Castle during our stay in Los Angeles last month. I would like to thank you for showing and explaining to us your unique magnet trick. We were really impressed with your beautiful routine.” – Hiroshi Kondo (Tenyo Co.)

“Whenever I think of an individual who is creative and innovative in the art of magic, Norman Gilbreath comes to my mind. His creation of the Gilbreath Principle has been utilized for the creation of many incredible magical effects.” – Howard Hamburg

“Norman Gilbreath’s mind is a treasure trove! Up until now there have been no maps except to those close to Norman himself. Now Norman has released his book, Beyond Imagination! Treasure, indeed, beyond my wildest expectations. ‘X’ marks the spot within the pages of this book. Your magical repertoire will be broadened and your audiences will have their minds baffled.” – Paul Green

“Anyone who’s ever utilized the now-classic Gilbreath Principle knows how effective the disarming strategy can be. The meticulous thinking that went into this creation is evident in all of Norman’s work, much of it detailed here for the first time.” – Tom Ogden

“Norman’s creations have baffled many of the brightest minds in the world of magic… prepare to be inspired!” – Jeff McBride

“I’ve always thought that Norman Gilbreath’s magic was brilliant and I’m thrilled that he’s taken the time and made the effort to share his creations with us.” – Daryl Martinez

“Many contributors to our art have refined, improved or reinterpreted. Norman Gilbreath has done something of another order—he’s changed what is possible.” – David Regal

“Norman Gilbreath combines his deep knowledge of the properties of a deck of cards with an emotional appeal and clever routining. I’d run to get a copy of his book if I were you, and also if I weren’t.” – Rafael Benatar

What Will He Teach?

This is a unique chance to attend a lecture focused on crafting and showcasing exceptional card magic by the creator of the Gilbreath Principle.

Max Maven remarked: “Norman Gilbreath doesn’t think like ordinary people do. And that has been to our benefit!”

Here are some insights from my book, Beyond Imagination:

At five years old, while recovering from a hip issue, a curious visitor perched on my window ledge and greeted me. It was an escaped minah bird, and I was astonished—how could this creature speak? That unexpected “Hello” sparked a lifelong quest for magical experiences.

What occurs during a magical moment? It transcends ordinary thought and highlights the limitless nature of imagination. While theater helps us comprehend our world, magic encourages us to explore new perspectives and expand our creativity. This lecture aims to elevate the magician’s craft.

Sometimes, performing magic with just a few decks of cards is advantageous. Here are two acts: the first requires three decks, including two special trick decks, while the second can be executed with four standard decks. If you ever find yourself without magic props, simply acquire four ordinary decks and present “The Journey.”

Who Is He?

Norman Gilbreath was born in Los Angeles when the Red Cars still ran, and secret decoder rings were given at the Wiltern Theater’s kids’ matinees. After developing a principle and a conjecture, he graduated from UCLA and began working for the RAND Corporation. He continues to reside in Los Angeles with his wife and son, often found at The Magic Castle on Friday evenings, engaging with friends and performing close-up magic.