If you only could use effects out of this book, could you be successful? And what top effects would you use in your show?

I think you'd have to define "successful". Obviously we're talking about introductory material, but if you're looking to perform for real audiences, then there's plenty of stuff in there.

If I had to do an entire set of five routines with material out of Wilson, then assuming a parlor-like setting, I'd probably do something like...

1. Sponge balls
2. Continuous Coins followed by Coins Through Table
3. The Sucker Torn and Restored Napkin
4. A couple of simple card forces followed by The Genii Saves The Day, with my money on the line
5. Cups and Balls climaxing with three lemons, climaxed by Bill To Lemon (I'd rework the Bill To Lemon so that the Bill is vanished before the Cups and Balls starts.)

Granted, that set involves a lot of magician messing around with the audience (sucker effect, pretending to be in trouble in The Genii Saves The Day, and the Bill To Lemon at the end) so it would probably take a certain kind of performer to pull that off. But if I had to abandon the stuff I currently do in favour of only Mark Wilson tricks, I'd feel alright about that set.

There are successful magicians who have their entire act from CCIM. I use the "last trick in the book" as a great closer; gets a huge reaction. His simple illusions are great for the dollar strapped magician, and they all play very well.
There is enough magic in CCIM that you could do close-up, parlor, and stage magic all from the book, and have a good show. (Of course, how well you do them and present them has a lot to do with your success.)
There are magicians who do their entire act out of Tarbells, and there are magicians who do their entire act out of Darwin's Encyclopedia of TT Magic. You don't have to spend a fortune to have a good act.

Great book. Everyone that wants to learn magic would do fine starting here.
Gimpy

The Mark Wilson Course, written by Walter Gibson, is incredibly dense with wonderful material. There is no question at all that you could be a successful full time pro using just the material in this classic.

It's been noted over and over on this forum that it's not so much the magic, but the performer. I've known several magicians whose technique was only modest at best, but whose performing persona was first rate. They worked all the time and for very good fees.

The best thing about the Wilson Course is it's wonderful balance with the context of a really stunning variety of excellent material. Best,

The foundational skills taught in that book are ones that can carry you through a lifetime of professional work.

Magicians of any worth are not "packet of the week" people - they are foundational perfectionists that understand that at the heart of good magic lies the skills they were taught at the very beginning.

Master the basics and the old school materials, and you will blow away all the YouTube kiddies.

Hmm. I bought mine maybe a year ago, and I haven't gotten around to opening it yet. So many books and DVDs to investigate. Maybe I should give it a try. Thanks for reminding me.

Thanks, everyone, I have been inspired. I always make excuses to myself for not being a good magician because I don't have the latest, greatest gimmicks and effects.

The Complete Course in Magic is one of the first magic books I ever bought, and it is still the one I most frequently open. There is so much stuff, and the majority of it is very good. The biggest sections are on Cards (the different shuffles, cuts, controls, and forces, as well as a couple of flourishes), Coins (including a few routines with shells and such), he includes extensive instructions on how to do his sponge ball routine (as well as a billiard ball routine including finger flourishes), and he has a section that tells you how to build your own inexpensive stage props such as the Square Circle (the Alakazam Hat) and how to gimmick handkerchiefs and paper bags to use in tricks. He also offers helpful tips and suggestions as to what tricks to use in what occasions. I enjoyed the book and still use lots of the effects in my acts today! I think that this book should be in every magician's library. Bar none.

I use:
The Handkerchief Coin Vanish, Cut and Restored Rope, the Impossible Rope Escape, The Great Coat Escape, and the Chapstick Caper.

The table I use was built using the plan in Wilson's Complete Course.
Come to think of it, a good chunk of my material came from it too.
Yeah, it's good.

The build your own illusions section is great. I've used at least two of these at corporate functions.

:magicrabbit:

I love this book.

I got the book from the library and I'd agree that it is a good book. Now if you compare it to stuff you see on ellusionist and elsewhere, a lot of the tricks seem kinda cheesy. I do think there is a lot of really good stuff in there though. You just have to pick the wheat from the chaff.

This is a great book. It's available on Ebay, right now as I post this. I've seen it sell for around $10.00. I'm sure that's less then I paid for it 20 years ago.

You can order it direct from Mark WIlson's web site autographed for 20 bucks.
http://www.markwilsonmagic.com/MWCCM.htm

Amazon also has several listings for "brand new" starting at under 10 bucks.

I used to have the smaller Cyclopedia, but I'm definitely getting this one.

Ed

I heard there are two versions indeed: What is the difference with regard to content between the complete course and the cyclopedia?

Gotta love the "Out to Lunch" principle. I forget what he calls it in the book, but it is the trick with the genii. I am always surpised how well that principle works for real people. Whenever I see a trick with out to lunch I have to remember that I have been reading Wilson's book for a long time so of course I am going to see right through the trick. But I have never had a problem to get it to fly for real people.

Another gem in the Wilson books is his effects with Double Backers and Double facers. The tricks are basic but essentials.

Whenever I see this Book listed on eBAY, AMAZON, etc. for less than $10.00, I buy it can gift it to an aspiring magician. nuff said?

Even if you never use a single trick, his presentaion of "Double view" -- how you see it and how the audience sees it is invaluable. Wich every book did that.

There are 2 versions of the same book- one is sort of a "travel size", smaller and thicker, but they are the same content, I believe.

The Mark Wilson CCIM is a fantastic magical resource. Santa Claus gave me my copy when I was about 10. 23 years later I still pick it up and consult it.