Picture Of Book Magic Squares - References

The following list includes a number of books, in order of author, that contain references to Magic Squares. The list is not intended to be exhaustive, but it is representative of the range of both mathematical and magical literature that is available on this fascinating subject:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Allerton, Bert (1958) Close Up Magician
Anderson, Harry & Racherbaumer, Jon (2008) Magic Squared.
A treatise on the venerable Magic Square as a performance piece, showcasing Harry Anderson's unique presentations. History, essays and a bibliography by Jon Racherbaumer add gravitas to this important publication. Limited to 200 numbered copies signed by Harry Anderson in this first printing.
Andrews, W. S. (1960) Magic Squares And Cubes. New York, New York: Dover (and London: Constable & Company Limited)
This is probably the definitive work on Magic Squares. It shows how to construct them, the detailed mathematics behind them, and all of the many variations that exist. It is also a highly "technical" book, and of more interest to the serious mathematician than the average magician.
Annemann, Theo. (1931) The Book Without A Name
This book contains some good presentation tips.
Anon. Internet
There are many "pages" on the Internet about Magic Squares.
Anon. The Complete Home Entertainer. London: Odhams Press Limited
This is quite an old book that I found on my local market. It contains a number of chapters on magic, and one on word games, one of which is an early Latin Word Square.
Anon. (c. 1890) National Encyclopaedia.
Volume IX of this Victorian encyclopaedia contains a small entry on Magic Squares, with an unusual example being shown of an 11 x 11 Magic Square that sums to a "Magic Total" of 24,156.
Barlow, F. (1951) Mental Prodigies. London: Hutchinson
This book is primarily concerned with a study of mental prodigies (e.g. lightning calculators). However, a few chapters are devoted to the explanation of some of the methods used by such people, including one brief chapter on Magic Squares.
Becker, L. (1986) The Larry Becker Lecture. London: Lewis Davenport Limited
This video is a lecture on mentalism, and is only available to bona fide magicians. It contains a number of unexplained items from Larry’s show, including his famous "Russian Roulette" routine, a number of "lecture" items which are demonstrated and fully explained, and finally a number of marketed items, which are also demonstrated and explained. One of the "lecture" items, called "Déjà Vu", is of particular interest.
Benson, W. H. & Jacoby, O. (1976) New Recreations With Magic Squares. New York, New York: Dover (and London: Constable & Company Limited)
This is a book that covers all orders of Magic Squares but is also oriented towards a mathematical analysis of Magic Squares rather than any magical presentations.
Benson, W. H. & Jacoby, O. (1981) Magic Cubes. New York, New York: Dover (and London: Constable & Company Limited)
This book is entirely devoted to Magic Cubes, and follows on from many of the techniques published in their earlier book, "New Recreations With Magic Squares" (see above).
Blaisdell, F. (1978) Magical Fun With Magic Squares. Oakland, California: Magic Limited
This book contains a number of innovative presentations of Magic Squares, and is only available to bona fide magicians.
Brandreth, G. (1984) Solo Games. London: Pan Books
This book contains a number of puzzles and games for one person. One of the puzzles involves creating a 6 x 6 Magic Square using 18 dominoes from a double-six set.
Britland, D. (2002) The Mind & Magic of David Berglas. Burbank, California: Hahne Publications
This is the long-awaited book that is more like a biography of David Berglas and his amazing magic than a typical magic book. It sold out of its 1,000 copies almost immediately. The book contains two excellent Magic Square routines.
Carlisle, S. (1979) Dynamic Mentalism. Bideford, Devon: The Supreme Magic Company
This book, by one of the most well-known magicians in the field of mentalism, contains a lecture demonstration based upon Magic Squares, as well as a chapter on memory. It is only available to bona fide magicians.
Cavendish, R. (1967) The Black Arts. New York: The Berkley Publishing Group
Although this book is about "black magic", it does describe a few Magic Squares.
Clarke, J. (1969) Number Relationships 3 - The Magic Square. Leeds: E. J. Arnold & Son Limited
This book is one of a series of "programmed learning" books for schoolchildren of at least ten years, and uses a 3 x 3 Magic Square to demonstrate the relationships between different numbers.
Corinda, A. (1968) 13 Steps To Mentalism. New York, New York: Louis Tannen
This is another classic book on mentalism, only available to bona fide magicians, which has one lesson (Step 3, largely written by David Berglas) devoted to 5 x 5 Magic Squares, mnemonics and mental systems. For further information, the reader is referred to "Mental Prodigies" by Fred Barlow.
Crane, Loch David (2009) Performer’s Guide To Magic Squares.
Annemann’s Magic Squares improved, triple checked, and printed! Just copy on your tablet and walk out to present it; or keep open on your table, reading numbers as you pretend to calculate cells. Requires no math skills for a stunning display with a comedy finish.
Dalal, Sam (Unknown) Patterns of Perfection: The Inner Secret Of The Magic Square. Unknown
This is a soft cover, A-4 28 pages book illustrated with figure charts. The Magic Square is not as popular as other magic tricks among the magicians around the world. Perhaps the reason is because the systems available involve memory work, and complex mathematical calculations. However, a Magic Square is something most people know and they are aware of the effort required to construct one. Therefore, when the magician successfully forms a magic square with any number given, people know that the feat has to be appreciated. A magic square has many interesting features, and can be customised to a spectator's date of birth, as a lucky amulet. A Magic Square is the cheapest feature effect that one can perform, and a three-minute routine can be stretched as long as the performer wishes. This book 'Patterns of Perfection' is a totally new "patterned" approach to the Magic Square. Anyone with average intelligence can master it in less than an hour by just reading this book, grasping the contents and with a few trials for practice. There are no mnemonics or memory system. No complicated mental arithmetic. You just need to know the secrets given in this book. Anybody can learn the secrets from this book and amuse the viewers with his amazing skill.
Dexter, W. (1974) Feature Magic For Mentalists. Bideford, Devon: The Supreme Magic Company
This is a very useful book on mentalism, only available to bona fide magicians, with one chapter which is devoted to mathematical magic. One part of this chapter is devoted to Magic Squares.
Dudeney, Henry. (1958) Amusements In Mathematics. Dover
Dudeney, Henry. (1932) Puzzles And Curious Problems. T. Nelson & Sons
Dudeney, Henry. The Canterbury Puzzles.
Dyment, Doug. Mindsights.
Included in this book is the ability to quickly produce a magic square for an audience-selected number, which is always impressive, and because of this has been featured, both as a close-up performance item and as a popular "opener", by numerous entertainers. The problem with many such routines, however, is that (1) the squares are not as "magical" as they might be, (2) the mathematics are a struggle, (3) the construction method does not work well for large numbers, and/or (4) the technique does not bear repetition, as the resulting squares are too similar. The new approach explained here yields squares that add to the chosen number in more than two dozen different and interesting ways, can be produced in less than ten seconds with no more than a single subtraction, works with numbers of almost any magnitude, and can be repeated nearly three dozen times for the same audience (even the same target number) with no apparent duplication, making it suitable for walk-around, trade shows, etc.
Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. (1993) Encyclopaedia Britannica ®. Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc.
This well-known encyclopaedia, which contains entries on thousands of subjects, has a short entry on Magic Squares (in Volume 7 of the 15th Edition of the Micropaedia Ready-Reference).
Falkener, E. (1961) Games Ancient And Oriental And How To Play Them. New York, New York: Dover
This book, originally published in 1892, contains details of ancient Egyptian games (e.g. tau, senat, ham), chess, draughts, backgammon, and also Magic Squares and Knight’s Tours.
Farrar, Mark S. (2003) How To Create A Birthday Magic Square. Mark S. Farrar
This short eBook describes how to create a 4 x 4 Magic Square, where the top row is somebody's birth date (or other specified date).
Farrar, Mark S. (1996) Magic Squares. Mark S. Farrar
This book covers many different aspects of Magic Squares, including their history, various methods of creating them, detailed analyses, and their use in magic effects.
Fisher, John (1973) The Magic Of Lewis Carroll. Bramhall House
This book is about recreational mathematics.
Fults, John Lee (1974) Magic Squares. Open Court
Fulves, K. (1983) Adrian Smith's Instant Magic Square. Fulves
Fulves, K. (1983) Self-Working Number Magic. New York, New York: Dover (and London: Constable & Company Limited)
This is one of the excellent "Self-Working" series by this renowned author. This particular one contains a number of effects using the Magic Square principle.
Gardner, M. (1956) Mathematics Magic And Mystery. New York, New York: Dover (and London: Constable & Company Limited)
This is a similar book to "Mathematical Magic Show" (see below). The book is full of tricks, games and puzzles, all of which have a mathematical nature.
Gardner, M. (1965) Mathematical Puzzles And Diversions. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Pelican Books
This book is entirely full of puzzles of a mathematical nature, but there is one chapter devoted to magic with a matrix.
Gardner, M. (1966) More Mathematical Puzzles And Diversions. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Pelican Books
This is another book in the "leisure mathematics" series, which is full of tricks, games and puzzles, all of which have a mathematical nature. Chapter 12 is devoted to Magic Squares.
Gardner, M. (1978) Mathematical Carnival. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Pelican Books
This is one of many books by this prolific author, whose interests include both magic and mathematics. There is one chapter devoted to Magic Stars and Magic Polyhedrons.
Gardner, M. (1985) Mathematical Magic Show. London: Penguin Books
This book is entirely devoted to mathematical magic, as its title suggests, with various effects using the Magic Square principle.
Gardner, M. (1985) The Magic Numbers Of Dr. Matrix. Buffalo, New York: Prometheus Books
This is a book which is primarily concerned with numerology and number theory, which mentions Magic Squares in several places.
Gardner, M. (1961) The 2nd Scientific American Book Of Mathematical Puzzles And Diversions. Simon & Schuster
The chapter on Magic Squares has excellent background material.
Gardner, M. (1988) Time Travel And Other Mathematical Bewilderments. New York, New York: W H Freeman & Company
This is another book by this prolific author on various aspects of magic, including Magic Squares.
Heath, R. V. (1953) Mathemagic. New York, New York: Dover (and London: Constable & Company Limited)
First written in 1933, this is a classic of mathematical magic. As far as Magic Squares are concerned, there is an entire chapter devoted to the creation and transposition of Magic Squares, and also other related formations (e.g. Magic Triangles).
Hilliard, J. N. (1994) Greater Magic. Kaufman & Greenberg
This is one of the classic magic books, recently republished and only available to bona fide magicians, covering practically every subject possible. One chapter is devoted to the creation and presentation of Magic Squares.
I.B.M. The Linking Ring. St. Louis, Missouri: International Brotherhood Of Magicians
The Linking Ring is the official magazine of the International Brotherhood Of Magicians, and is therefore only available to accredited members. There have undoubtedly been many references to Magic Squares over the years in this magazine, but the ones mentioned here are of particular interest:
Johnson, R. (1980) The Voice Of Experience, Vol. 1, Side 2. Martin Breese, England
Johnson, R. (1995) Unique. Oadby, Leicestershire: Roy Johnson
This is one of Roy Johnson’s set of lecture notes, only available to bona fide magicians, which contains one item, called "To Hell And Back", that will be of interest to mentalists.
Kane, P. (1989) Kane At Table. Peter Kane
This is a set of lecture notes, only available to bona fide magicians, in which one of the explained effects has a Magic Square theme.
Kaprekar, D. R. (1974) The Copernicus Magic Square. Indian Journal Of History Of Science, Vol. 9, No. 1
Kaye, Marvin (1975) The Handbook Of Mental Magic. Stein and Day
Chapter 14 is entitled "Super Memory and Rapid Calculation", which includes both mnemonics and a 5 x 5 Magic Square.
Kordemsky, B. (1975) The Moscow Puzzles. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Pelican Books
This is a book full of mathematical puzzles, but there is a small section (problems 331 - 339) on Magic Squares. It covers, briefly, the history of them, how to create them, and a few other interesting facts and problems.
Kraitchik, M. (1943) Mathematical Recreations. London: Allen & Unwin
This is a book on general recreational mathematics, but it does include a section on Magic Squares. The book is quite detailed in nature, but is oriented towards a mathematical analysis of its contents rather than any magical presentations.
Lorayne, H. (1977) The Magic Book. London: W. H. Allen
This is a magic book written for non-magicians as a beginners’ book. One of the chapters covers number magic, with a method of creating an "instant" Magic Square included.
MacGregor-Mathers, S.L. (1976) The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage. New York, New York: Dover Publications
Medieval manuscript of ceremonial magic. Basic document in Aleister Crowley, Golden Dawn groups.
Meyer, O. (1961) The Amazing Magic Square & Master Memory Demonstration. Cheyenne, Wyoming: Orville Meyer
This relatively short booklet contains one of the best routines to be based on Magic Squares, although it may be hard to find nowadays, especially as it is only available to bona fide magicians.
Moran, J. (1982) The Wonders Of Magic Squares. New York, New York: Random House, Inc.
This book, written by a self-confessed "amateur recreational mathematician", is full of many different ways of creating Magic Squares.
Murray, B. (1989) Paul Daniels’ Adult Magic. London: Michael O’Mara Books Limited
This book is relatively well-known, and contains a variety of reasonably simple magic effects. There are a few pages on the subject of Magic Squares.
Ollerenshaw, Kathleen & Bree, David (1998) Most-perfect Pandiagonal Magic Squares: Their Construction and Enumeration. Minneapolis The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
This book gives a method of construction and enumeration of all pandiagonal magic squares of a class known as 'most-perfect'. Pandiagonal magic squares have the integers in all rows, all columns and all diagonals adding to the same sum. Characteristically, all integers come in complementary pairs along the diagonals and the integers in any 2 x 2 block of four add to the same sum. This is the first time, in thousands of years of mathematical experience that a method of construction has been found for a whole class. Formulas are given for the enumeration of all most-perfect squares, however large.
Pickover, Clifford (2003) The Zen of Magic Squares, Circles, and Stars. Princeton University Press
Subtitled "An Exhibition of Surprising Structures across Dimensions", this is a contemporary and comprehensive book on current magic square topics and ideas, by an accomplished (and popular) mathematical author. 405 pages.
Pickover, Clifford (2003) Wonders Of Numbers. U.S.A.: Oxford University Press Inc.
This book on various aspects of mathematics includes several Magic Squares.
Raven, A. (1974) The Necromantic Grimoire Of Augustus Rupp. Waldwick, New Jersey: Bob Lynn
This book, which is a limited edition only available to bona fide magicians, "reproduces" a book of magic spells, symbols and other information, but includes two Word Squares.
Riding, J. (1994) Close Up Club. St. Annes, Lancashire: Joe Riding
This is a twelve-part course in close-up magic, only available to bona fide magicians. Joe’s new effect, "Computer Error", which is a routine for presenting a Magic Square, is included in the final lesson, but will also be published separately.
Rightmire, Richard (1972) The Master Mentalist. Micky Hades Enterprises
Roth, David M. (1970) The Magic Square. Magic Limited
Simon, W. (1965) Mathematical Magic. London: Allen & Unwin
This book is entirely devoted to mathematical magic, as its title suggests. However, there is one chapter on the subject of Magic Squares, including both how to create them and some ideas for using and presenting them.
Simpson, D.C. (2001) Solving Magic Squares. United Kingdom: 1st Books Library
This book provides generic solutions for creating various types of Magic Squares.
Singer, J. (1994) Microsoft Encarta 1996 ®. Microsoft Corporation
This is an encyclopaedia, stored on a CD-ROM, for use on a multimedia personal computer, which contains one entry on Magic Squares.
Smith, A. (1992) Cards On Call. Rotherham: Al Smith
This book is not particularly related to mental magic or Magic Squares, as its title suggests, and it is only available to bona fide magicians. However, there is one effect, "Numorator", which is an interesting addition to a performer's repertoire of Magic Square routines.
Smith, A. (2002) Round The Square. Abacus Press Yorkshire
Available to magicians, this book teaches a variety of fairly standard methods for constructing magic squares of orders four through seven, along with some other matrix-related topics. 73 pages.
Smith, H. Adrian (1933) Master Mysteries Of 1933.
Snader, C.M. (1985) Mind Square. Mexico: Exclusive Magical Publications
This book contains a method for creating a 4 x 4 Magic Square, including an "instant" version.
Starkes, Bob Seven Magic Squares In One. Ledgerdemain
Steele, Rufus (1952) The Last Work On Cards.
Swetz, Frank (2001) Legacy Of The Luoshu. Chicago Open Court Publishing Company
This book is the first study of the magic square, or Luoshu, as a cultural artifact and spiritual symbol as well as mathematical expression. A magic square is an arrangement of numbers (with no number duplicated) where the rows, columns, and two main diagonals add up to the same number, the magic constant. Originally devised by the ancient Chinese, who viewed it as a symbol of metaphysical and spiritual harmony, the magic square was brought to the West by Arab traders. In Legacy of the Luoshu, the author examines how various people in diverse societies have been drawn to the impressive regularity of number patterns and how cultural beliefs can be expressed through the symbolism of numbers. This is an entertaining read for anyone interested in popular mathematics and finding similarities of beliefs and symbols across cultures.
Tahan, M. (1994) The Man Who Counted. Edinburgh: Canongate Press
This is a book that explores various aspects of mathematics via a series of stories told about a mathematician called Beremiz Samir. There are a couple of pages that describe, simply, Magic Squares.
Thompson Jr., J. G. (1975) The Miracle Makers. Magic Limited
This contains an interesting idea for a 5 x 5 Magic Square.
Tucker, S. (1992) Card Bored?. Great Malvern, Worcestershire: Stephen Tucker
This is a book of various close-up routines, mainly using playing cards, which is only available to bona fide magicians. However, there are also three routines ("The Square Comes Full Circle", "The Almost Magic Square" and "Sweet Sixteen") that involve Magic Squares.
Van Delft, P. & Boterman, J. (1978) Creative Puzzles Of The World. London: Cassell Ltd.
This book contains an excellent collection of puzzles from all over the world, as its title implies. There is a small but interesting and varied section on Magic Squares.
Young, Morris N. Hobby Magic.
Wells, D. (1986) The Penguin Dictionary Of Curious And Interesting Numbers. London: Penguin Books
Whilst not a magic book, this does contain some fascinating mathematical information, some of which can be used to enhance the presentation of a Magic Square demonstration.

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