"Ultimate Bob" is the story of Bob Kohler, a clever corporate and trade-show performer who's recently turned his relentless energies to the output of magical product, with his latest offering being the Fitch Kohler Professional Holdout. Meir Yedid celebrates the fifth anniversary of his MagicTimes.com, the web site where the magic industry swarms to "Read all about it!" Photo essayist Anne White travels to the Lone Star State to take a look at "The Outrageous Talents of Ray Anderson," a madcap magician who's been amazing audiences at Esther's Follies in Austin for 12 years. Alan Howard visits the world headquarters of H&R books, where Richard Hatch and Charlie Randall have built a magic book-selling business beyond their wildest dreams. Sid Fleischman, recent recipient of the Academy of Magical Arts Literary Fellowship, shares his bamboozling "Magic Meeting Magic and Other Insider Whimsies." David Kaye's "Turn it Around" features a routine from Kerry Pollock, "Magic on the Menu" by Jim Sisti offers Richard Osterlind's Sweet and Low, Jim Steinmeyer's "Conjuring" explains Napkins for Actors, and Joshua Jay's "Talk About Tricks" has close-up tricks from Joel Givens, Nathan Kranzo, Alain Nu, and Mark Aspiazu. Holland's Hilbert Geerling tells "In His Words" of all the planning and preparation that he hopes will payoff to make FISM 2003 in The Hague the best World Congress of Magic to date.

"Following the Leader" is the title of Lance Pierce's insightful profile on Roger Klause, the magical artist from Texas that Michael Skinner proclaimed to be "The Leader of the Close-up Underground." Sid Fleischman, the year's recipient of the Academy of Magical Arts Literary Fellowship tells why he never would have become a successful writer if it hadn't been for his love of magic and bamboozling his fellow magicians. Shep Hyken shares a part of his collection of colorful Houdini movie posters as he examines "Houdini: The Movie at a Half-Century." "Christian Thee: Artist of Illusion" by John Tudor tells how this remarkable artist blends his knowledge of magic and theatrical techniques with his mastery of the trompe l'oeil style to create what might be called virtual illusions. TV reporter Jeff Crilley reveals a few tricks for getting the media to cover your magic. Over 16 items are reviewed in Michael Close's "Marketplace," including The Ninja Rings. David Kay's "Turn it Around" features a spelling trick for kid-show workers to add to their school-show repertoires. Jim Sisti's "Magic on the Menu" offers suggestions for picking a performing persona for restaurant work. Among the tricks in Joshua Jay's "Talk About Tricks" are: Bill Malone's take on Ed Marlo's Outjogged Oil & Water, Andrew Wimhurst's Through the Looking Glass, and the Aspiazu Fan Palm by none other than Mark Aspiazu. Jim Steinmeyer's "Conjuring" features a mental-magic routine with the Princess Caraboo Deck.

The cover story by Rory Johnston profiles the sophisticated sorcery of James Dimmare. In his educational article, Thomas A. Crowell walks us through the various ways of protecting our magical inventions in his discussion of copyright, patent, and trade secret laws. Barnum & Bailey's "Prince of Laughter", David Larible, is profiled by Chris Ritter. Jay Sankey shares three effects from his new book, Sankey Unleased. A full review of the 36th annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards is offered up by Shawn McMaster. Michael Close offers reviews of the new Scott Alexander DVD, Psychokinetic Silverware DVD, and the Steel and Silver DVD series. Joshua Jay writes up tricks from Jonathan Townsend, Stephen Chamblee, Michael Lair, and J.K. Hartman's. "Expertalk" features Tom Mosier. "Turn it Around" includes Eric Paul's Funniest Sponge Ball Routine Ever, "Conjuring" offers an illusion inpsired by the Sands of Egypt, but it uses showers of confetti instead of sand, and "Magic on the Menu" focuses on the importance of magic history with a Frank Garcia trick.

In our cover story, John Moehring goes to Branson, Missouri to check out all the magic this season; Brett Daniels, Kirby VanBurch, The Hamners and Darren Romeo all star in their own shows. Dale Salwak takes us back in time to remember Neil Foster's 45-minute "Concert of Magic" show. Jörg Alexander stops in on this years Die Zauberwochen (translates to Magic Weeks) in Germany, where the Flicking Fingers celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Sid Fleischman offers up "Needles for Cowards"; some quirky methods to convince audiences of the perils of performing the old Indian Needle Trick. John Moehring reports on Mac King's new syndicated comic strip, wherin a monkey named Lewis offers easy-to-do magic tricks and practical jokes. Michael Close reviews "Closely Guarded Secrets", "Sankey Unleashed" and the new Volume 5 of "Semi-Automatic Card Tricks". Josh Jay writes up effects by Raj Madhok, Robert Moreland, Michael Huot, Yannick Chretien, and James Swain. David Kaye shares a chapter from his new book, "Seriously Silly". Jim Steinmeyer takes a final bow after 70 "Conjuring" columns. Jim Sisti talks about our increasingly litigious society and how to take prevent a lawsuit in the restaurant business.

Following Roy Horn's near-fatal onstage accident and the closing of Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage, John Moehring celebrates the partnership that created the spectacle that forever changed the direction of magic history in Las Vegas. Mike Caveney takes us on a ride through the world of Harry Kellar's touring illusion show that played in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A new show called World's Greatest Magic Show opens at the Sahara in Las Vegas, and Richard Faverty writes on it. Stan Allen turns in his report on the 8th Annual Los Angeles Conference on Magic History. Tina Lenert profiles 23-year-old Argentinean magician Mirko, who won awards the prior summer at SAM, IBM, and FISM. Michael Close reviews the new Fitch/Kohler Professional Holdout System, Richard Osterlind's Mind Mysteries 1-4, and the Brett Sherwood cups. David Kaye offers a holiday themed trick; Jim Sisti presents Kirk Charles' colorful piece of mental magic with balloon animals, Jim Steinmeyer explains the Great Silverware Scam, and Joshua Jay offers up contributions by Kalle Hakkarainen, John Lovick, Joel Givens, and William Eston.

Elizabeth Warlock's cover story on Alan Shaxon takes on a journey through the British magician's interesting life performing around the world and acting as President of The Magic Circle. Theatrical trunks discovered in a garage in Macon, Georgia proved to be a treasure trove of memorabilia in Diego Domingo's story of a turbaned crystal gazer of the 1930s by the name of Webster, who otherwise would have been long forgotten. The Magic Castle, the Hollywood landmark known as created by Milt Larsen over four decades ago, now faces some changes in partnerships. Shawn McMaster takes us on a tour of Dean Dill's "Shoppe, Haircutting & Magic." The Hocus Pocus Festival in Spain, the brainchild of FISM-winner Miguel Puga, becomes recognized as a cultural event, reported on by Tina Lenert. Also includes the "MAGIC 2004 Guide to Conventions, Workshops, Camps & More", a review of the new Wesley James book, Enchantments, and a new mentalism trick with magazines by Jim Steinmeyer. Fooling Around with David Kaye includes some interesting mentalism for children, Jim Sisti's column explains a trick that involves all five senses, and Joshua Jay explains tricks by Alain Nu, Rune Klan, David Jade, Jason Alford, Mark Aspiazu, and William Eston.

From the cover of Life to the cover of MAGIC, Alton Sharpe is profiled in this month's cover story by John Moehring. Dominique Duvivier reflects on the rich history of his underground magic pub in an article by Gaëtan Bloom. Joshua Jay posts a review of magic's only invitational convention for a dedicated and deviated bunch who live, breath, eat, and dream about nothing but card tricks: The Second Deal Convention. Mark Holstein takes us through the life of De Yip Loo, a magical entertainer and a master craftsman. Rory Johnston gives a photo story of Scott & Müriel Big Show, which just ended a non-stop 27-city tour of The Netherlands. Michael Close reviews a ton of new products in "Marketplace", including The Georgia Wonder, Highway to Success, The Successful Family Entertainer, and new Jeff McBride offerings. "Talk About Tricks" features effects from performers at the Second Deal Convention: Jason Alford, Mark Aspiasu, Kostya Kimlat, Luke Dancy, Jack Parker and Paul Cummins. In "Turn it Around", David Kaye introduces us to Mike Gomez, who discusses performing for Hispanic audiences. In "Magic on the Menu" Jim Sisti offers solid advice on strengthening the house magician's relationship with the restaurant staff.

The beloved Dean of the Society of American Magicians answers some questions about the life of Jasper the Great, followed by reminiscences from a few of his friends. Brad Henderson takes us backstage with The Mysterious World of Alain Nu, the new magic specials on the TLC Channel. Edwin A. Dawes takes us back to the 1940's variety theater circuit, profiling Cecil Lyly and his famous "Magical Milliner" act. Doug Malloy takes us inside the Monster House workshop to see how the Discovery Channel show incorporated magic. Paul Daniels does a stint at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas, taking the place of Mac King for a week; story by John Moehring. David Charvet reports on the Northwest Magic Jamboree, hosted by veteran showman Stan Kramien and his family. Two Viewpoint articles by Eugene Burger and Mark DeSouza. Talk About Tricks includes effects by Michael Lair, Giorgio Tarchini, Kostya Kimlat, and Patrick Kuffs. Turn It Around offers up a kid show routine for fathers created by David Oliver. Magic on the Menu suggests ways of keeping your name prominent at the restaurant, using David Acer's Forget Me Not routine. Choice Secrets presents an opening routine to produce a dagger, a flame, and a bouquet of roses.

Amando Lucero and his unique brand of close-up magic goes cover this month in a profile by Dan Lefay and Mark Jensen. Rory Johnston reports on Joseph Atmore's recreation of a Dunninger radio show. John Carney mounts another one-man show called "Comedy. Melody. Astonishment."; article by John Lovick. Mike Caveney discusses the history of a unique invention by Howard Thurston. A magic themed float won Grand Prize at the Portland Rose Festival and David Charvet reports on it. Paul Kozak opens up and discusses the peaks and valleys of his long career in "In His Words". Joshua Jay presents tricks by Martin Gardner, Jeff Pierce, Michael Lair, and Joel Givens. David Kaye presents Greg McMahan's medieval Monkey Bar. Jim Sisti discusses problem clients in restaurants and explains Aldo Colombini's magical approach. Kevin James offers up a startling rope trick where five knots magically appear.

John Moehring blows the lid off of "magic's best kept secret" in our cover story on Bob White. John Booth writes about his experiences on the lecture circuit with his "Behind the Scenes with Magicians and Mindreaders". Michael Close reports on the extraordinary Juan Tamariz's rare appearance in Las Vegas. Chris Korn and J.B. Benn bring their Mondo Magic to the A&E Network, and Rory Johnston gives us an inside look at the production. John Lovick tells us about Mark Kalin & Jinger's newest production in Reno, Nevada. Penn & Teller talk with Mac King in their interview from MAGIC Live. Joshua Jay writes up effects by Mark Aspiazu, Tyler Wilson, David Jade, Sebastian Talbot, and Mathieu Biche on Marlo's Tilt. David Kaye discusses a magic-performing puppet suggested by Britain's David Allen. Jim Sisti writes up his answer to the recent poker frenzy with Larry Becker's Flip Flop Flush. Jörg Alexander of The Flicking Fingers talks about finding the perfect venue while Rainer Pfeffer walks you through his Open Travelers with a Climax routine. Our new column by Elliott Smith and Ian Quick called Work Your Magic offers up suggestions on how to get the media to respond to your work.