Neale, Robert: Tricks of the Imagination ©1991 Robert E. Neale & Stephen Minch Published by Hermetic Press, Seattle, WA Hardcover, w/dj, 6x9", 198 pages

Image courtesy eBay seller KochMagic

Comments: Illustrated by Kelly Lyles, pre-illustrative photography by Debbie Murray. Good lessons in providing story around your presentation.

Contents:

vii Introduction: Magic and Stories (Eugene Burger)
xi Story Magic and Bob Neale’s Book (Stephen Minch)
xv Preface

1 Tales of Simple Things
3 State Sign: The Chinese Compass applied to a sign painter
9 My First Trick: game of paper, rock, scissors
15 Tale of Two Guns: two guns move through 9 states
21 Pebble Puzzle: a tale of picking the right color
27 Brown Monkey Gold: coin routine with a lesson on greed
33 Nailed: a swindle story with a Gypsy switch
39 The Swindler the Shill and My Uncle: a handheld version of the Endless Loop, or Pricking the Garter swindle
44 - Basic Handling
50 - Advanced Handling
52 - Basic Routine
57 - Advanced Routine

61 Plots Unfolded
63 Why the Bat Dances: an Origami paper fold trick
71 - Alternative Tale
75 The Prince(ss) Who Plopped: story around an Origami Frog
83 A Little Fish Story: using a version of Terri Rogers' Pirish Compass
93 Hat Trick: A hat that can turn white or black
103 Love Story: a version of Troublewit demonstrates a life story

111 The Devil’s Storybook
113 Riggs’ Round Robin: mathematical card trick
117 Cal the Incalculable: about a match-making computer
125 The Idiot Poker Plot: version of Ten Card Poker Deal
131 The Prince and the Magician: a packet trick
137 The Ten Travelers’ Tale: fitting travelers into rooms, with alphabet cards
145 Keeping a Room for Death: cards change as Death needs a room
149 The Nuns’ Tale: a similar routine
155 Joe Kerr’s Love: a "punny" stacked deck story
158 - Alternative Handlings
163 The Journey of Joe Kerr: another version
169 Always Stack the Deck: version of the Soldier's Prayer Book

177 Proptales
179 A Tear About Which There Must be a Tale: a tale for the Rupert Pearl
181 - Alternative Tales
183 Contrary Light: an electrical three shell game
191 The Key in the Door: a Haunted key presentation, with options for a mechanical key and a regular one