The Secrets Revealed in This Book ix
The Trick to Writing This Book: A Word from the
Real Author, Andy Cohen
xi
Introduction: How I Met Merlin-My Predicament 1

LESSON #1: THINKING DIFFERENTLY—
FOLLOW THE OTHER HAND

Magic Trick #1: Impossible (where two cards
mysteriously switch places)

11

34

LESSON #2: BUILDING TRUST—MAKING
THE AUDIENCE PART OF THE ACT

Magic Trick #2: Sixth Sense (a remarkable
mind-reading trick that you can do anywhere)

48

70

LESSON #3: DEFINING YOUR BRAND—
CREATING A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE

Magic Trick #3: Wireless Wonder (lets your
cell phone announce a card selected by a
participant but unknown to you)

73

101

LESSON #4: IDEA HECKLING—REMOVING
THE OBSTACLES TO THINKING DIFFERENTLY

Magic Trick #4: Matching Wits (gives you the
power to restore a torn and discarded match
back into the matchbook)

105

125

LESSON #5: DISCOVERING YOUR
COMPETITIVE EDGE—“WHAT’S YOUR MAGIC?”

Magic Trick #5: The French Drop (teaches the perfect
sleight of hand to make a coin disappear)

130

148

EPILOGUE: PROFITING FROM MY
LESSONS WITH MERLIN
152
My Favorite Magic Teachers, Places to Shop,
and Magic Books
165
Acknowledgments 171