Magic is Dead By Ian Frisch

In the spirit of Neil Strauss’ “The Game” and Joshua Foer’s “Moonwalking with Einstein,” this captivating narrative follows one man’s intriguing journey into the realm of magic and his unexpected invitation into an underground society of revolutionary magicians worldwide.

“Magic Is Dead” is Ian Frisch’s immersive exploration of a concealed world filled with remarkable personalities and closely guarded secrets. This tale of creativity, illusion, and artistry highlights the most talented young magicians today—a clandestine group known as the52, who are transforming an age-old craft under the banner of Magic Is Dead.

Ian invites us into this enchanting world, becoming an essential part of it. We meet the52’s founders—Laura London, Daniel Madison, and Chris Ramsay—and delve into their personal struggles, professional dreams, and the allure of their craft. We accompany them to private gatherings featuring the most extraordinary magicians, attend magic conventions in Las Vegas and England, and uncover some of the finest tricks of the trade. Along the way, we encounter renowned figures like David Blaine, spend time with Penn Jillette, meet Dynamo, the U.K.’s most celebrated magician, and go behind the scenes of a Netflix magic show. “Magic Is Dead” also chronicles the rich history of magic and its evolution in the digital era, as the new generation embraces social media and shifts away from traditional approaches to the art.

As he narrates the story of the52 and his role as its most unexpected member, Ian shares his own connection to deception and how he first grasped the principles of magic from his poker-playing mother. He reminisces about their adventures in card rooms and casinos following his father’s untimely passing, and recounts a poignant moment with his childhood idol, Shaquille O’Neal, during his career as a journalist.

“Magic—the romanticism of the inexplicable, the awe and admiration of the unexpected—is an underlying force in how we perceive the world and its countless possibilities,” Ian reflects. As his journey unfolds, Ian evolves into a performer and creator of magic—successfully fooling the late Anthony Bourdain during a serendipitous meeting—while forming a new brotherhood and coming to terms with his relationship with his father, fifteen years after his death. Crafted with psychological insight and meticulous detail, “Magic Is Dead” is a compelling narrative filled with wonder and astonishment.

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