Piff The Magic Book (Volume 1)
Piff The Magic Book (Volume 1)

A hilarious and intimate look at the life and secrets of the hardest-working dragon in magic. You’ve never read anything quite like Piff the Magic Book - Vol.1. It’s rare for a magician to give up such strong material, especially a working pro that still uses some of it in their act. But it’s even more rare when that magician is a Las Vegas superstar like Piff the Magic Dragon.
Who is Piff the Magic Dragon?
Following the massive popularity of his viral appearances on Fool Us and memorable run to the finals on America’s Got Talent, Piff has been hosting his own show in the Piff the Magic Dragon Theater at the famous Flamingo Hotel since 2015. (The same showroom that has also been home to Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, Tom Jones, Ray Charles, Wayne Newton, James Brown, and countless other icons).
The enviable career Piff has created from his on-screen appearances is no accident though. He’s the epitome of a true pro and has been endlessly committed to perfecting his craft since long before his mainstream fame. Piff is the only magic-dragon member of the prestigious Magic Circle in England and one of the youngest magicians to ever lecture there. He’s also one of the first people Penn & Teller call when they need help creating new routines.
What is Piff the Magic Book?
Piff the Magic Book gives you a first-hand look at Piff’s entire life in magic from how he became a magic dragon to how he landed a show in Las Vegas—including the most valuable routines that got him there. In total, Piff explains 10 of his favorite tricks in complete detail with help from one of magic’s premier authors John Lovick.
You’ll learn amazing routines like the Ring in Egg he did on America’s Got Talent: The Champions, as well as the famous signed card in dog food effect that earned him a Golden Buzzer from Neil Patrick Harris. The highlight for many magicians though will likely be “VDP”, the gradual transformation of one signed card into another that he credits for catapulting his career after performances on Fool Us and AGT.
This book is so much more valuable than just the magic secrets though. Even if you never perform any of the tricks taught, you will still walk away with a wealth of knowledge on how to be a better performer. Piff doesn’t just share the method but also the fascinating and outlandish stories and thought processes that brought them to life. Everything is perfectly captured in a more than 430-page gorgeous hardcover book accompanied by a profuse amount of stunning full-color photographs.
431 Pages | Hardcover | Full Color Photos | Ribbon Bookmark
Contents of Piff the Magic Book
- Foreword (Penn Jillette)
- Preface
- How I Became Piff the Magic Dragon
Part One
- Piff's Triple-Reveal Dog Food
- Camera Work for Dragons
- How to Train Your
DragonDog - The Cost of Jokes at the Expense of Others
- Why Good Bits are Bad
- Happy Birthday Mr Piffles
- How I Make Great Things
- Ring in Egg
- Bill in Banana
Coffee Break
- Dress for the Job You Want, Not the One You Have
Part Two
- The Great Chicago Fire
- David Copperfish
- David Copperfish: The Extended Cut
- Card Is Straw
- Thing in a Thing in a Thing in a Thing in a Thing in a Thing in a Thing
- Flap Cards
- The Greatest Goddamn Motherfluffin' Card Trick of All Time
- Post-Show Meet and Greet
- Acknowledgements
Customer reviews for Piff The Magic Book (Volume 1)
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Get one before they are snapped up.
And the disclaimer that approval was needed in order to perform any of the tricks was phrased in a way that made it sound this might apply to any performance, recorded or not.
Piff’s honest, raw, frank, and hilarious walk through of not just his magic career but also his life to date is pure gold to any aspiring performer (in magic or otherwise). It is rare for anyone to lay bare their journey and share: what it takes to achieve success; their highs and lows; to fail and to fall; and to get back up and persevere. We need to hear more of such journeys from other professionals to both inform and inspire us.
Does Piff share secrets of some of his well known routines and tricks? yes and in full. Yet the value is not in the tricks. The value is in Piff’s writings about how each performance piece was created, practices, reworked, rehearsed, performed, reworked again, and fine-tuned until each worked for him, his character, his show, and his audiences. His approach to creating his performance pieces and how you can learn from him is where the true value of Piff’s book.
If all you want is to learn how Piff’s tricks are done, this book gives you that. But I’d argue this book is not for you. Nor is this book for anyone with a hamster (or other animal or puppet) thinking of performing his pieces word for word (copying, imitating)*.
This book is written and shared with the authors intention of helping us to understand his journey and his approach so that we may learn and improve. Buy this book if that is your reason for doing so and you will not be disappointed.
PS: I hesitated to buy this book at Magic Live. Money was tight and life felt hard. I just received my copy after the online launch event and have not out the book down since it arrived. I wish I hadn’t dawdled.
*Note: the copyright page expressly denies your right to do perform Piff’s described routines (pieces) without Piff’s express permission. As Piff moderates in his Preface, he is okay with you using his performance pieces ‘as a starting point, build on them, and come up with your own routine tailored to your act.
Like Parlour Tricks it is filled with fantastic magic that has been worked over and over again. Also like Parlour Tricks, you won’t do any of it, at least, not as it it, at least dear god you shouldn’t.
The tricks aren’t there for you to do as they are, don’t get me wrong, I’ll probably make a routine for that ring in egg, it’s too damned good. But the routines are really there to show you an in depth look at the creative process.
This book is filled with workers, but they’re Piffs workers. And that’s what the book it about, it’s about how to create your own workers, the hard lessons that you can avoid while getting there. And hopefully a bit of inspiration that the work is worth it.
This book has a lot of practical advice on how to build a show and a character worth performing. And it’s a fun read while you learn.
The book is easy to read, has amazing pictures and the author takes you on a wimsical journey through his world.
I saw Piff a few times on tv and i had no idea so must though went into his tricks.
This is a masterclass in performance, prop building/craftmanshift, how to build a brand and what it takes to succeed in Vegas.
Piff is willing to go the lenghts to that most are not willing and he shows us what has made him successful, the hipe of the book launch was insane and i think that Vanishing inc is on a whole new level, this book is a must own, read it, learn from Piff and get inspired. this has been the best purchase i have made this year so far.
I also like the approach of him sayin not to use his effects but to use it as a jump off.
Only down side for me is why do you plastic wrap the books? Is that entirely necessary? Extra amount of plastic wrap?
The Deluxe Edition is truly a collector's dream. The scale replica Tacular is a testament to the attention to detail and the love poured into this edition. It's not just a display piece but a conversation starter, capturing the essence of Piff's shows. The limited edition Piff coin, custom playing cards, and the specially-designed comic book add layers of value, making this edition a treasure trove of magical wonders.
Beyond the collectibles, the content of the book itself is pure gold. Piff's journey, his highs and lows, and the stories behind his iconic routines are narrated with such humor and heart that you feel like you're sitting down with the Magic Dragon himself, sharing a cup of tea and tales of magic. It is a celebration of magic, creativity, and the indomitable spirit of one of the most iconic performers of our time. It's an investment in joy, wonder, and a deeper appreciation of the art of magic. A must-have for every magic enthusiast!
The only flaw I found was the excessive use of colored images showing the signed card trick. It took up about a third of the book and drove the production cost up by an estimated 30%. I would've preferred saving $15-$20 by looking at four pictures per page instead of viewing 133 full-color pages—a bit extravagant. Or, keep the $20 and include a digital soundtrack that plays the routine once you get to the right page—ahh, maybe still too extravagant.
The bottom line is that the book was worth getting.
I saved up my gold coins and grabbed one of the "Greatest Deluxe Edition Ever" (you can tell Hansom Jack edited the book!). There are only 350 of the Deluxe Editions (more on that later) but first about the book, it is nothing short of a treasure trove for both magic enthusiasts and those new to the art of prestidigitation. Piff, in his signature green dragon costume (not a costume), presents a work that is as entertaining as it is informative.
You’ll love Piff's whimsical storytelling style. He combines humor, wit, and a hint of mischief that makes reading each page an absolute delight. It's like having Piff himself in the room, scowling at you and sharing his magical secrets.
The book is brimming with stunning and mind-boggling magic tricks, each meticulously explained step by step. Piff's explanations are clear, concise, and accompanied by detailed illustrations, making even the most complex tricks accessible to readers of all skill levels. He tells you not to steal his act (that’s already been done a lot) but to use these tricks as a creative jumping-off point.
What truly sets this book apart is the way Piff infuses his unique personality into every page. His anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories about his life, Jade, and now THREE dogs add a personal touch that allows readers to connect with him on a deeper level. You'll feel like you're receiving a private lesson from one of the world's most renowned magicians.
But the magic doesn't stop there. The "Deluxe Edition" is a comprehensive guide to becoming a skilled magician with a whole lot more fun stuff. There’s a numbered certificate of authenticity, Piffs Personal Pack of Cards, a Piff Coin, a Cartoon Book, and the pièce de resistance – the Tacular!
The addition of the "Tacular" and the really cool packaging make this edition a true collector's item. Whether you're a seasoned magician or just starting out, the "Deluxe Edition" of "Piff The Magic Book (Volume 1)" is a magical treasure that you'll want to have in your collection. Don't miss the opportunity to own this extraordinary edition and take your magical journey to the next level. Do it, there are only 350 of these in the world. Grab yours and be part of the Piff the Magic Dragon Squad today!
If you're interested in how to think about standup material, how much work you should put into making your routines work, how many revisions a successful performer goes through before the routine is finally pretty good, and more...then you want to read this book. It's funny, Piff is very honest about the amount of money and types of mistakes he made on the way, and you get to see how he structured his material. Also you can find lots of video of Piff on YouTube and several of these tricks are there in one form or another, so you can see how they play to real people.
The Loser of America's Got Talent is also The Hardest Working Dragon in Show Business! (Besides, all the other dragons in show biz got themselves killed.) Study what Piff does and think about your own stuff a lot more.
And read the other books I mentioned too...those guys are pretty good. None of them will stick their hand into a can of dog food on stage, but that's why Piff is Piff.
While I'm not a magician, I will echo the other reviewers who enjoyed journeying through Piff's creative process. It is harder to explain the excellent quality of the writing and editing, and humorous writing doesn't always come across with the same zing as jokes in a standup act. To such disappointed readers, I can only suggest, "Get over it." This magic dragon is funny as hell both on stage and in print, making this book an instant classic worth reading and re-reading. Those who do so are destined to demand a Vol. 2 encore, if only to fire up this top-notch dragon/VI project design team again. Make that VA team for value-added. Pfffttt!
The effects in the book are great! But be warned: after reading this, you might consider adopting a chihuahua and hiring a Vegas showgirl. All jokes aside, this book is a great reminder of what it’s like to build from the bottom up and what hard work looks like. Piff has had an incredible career and I’ll forever be rooting for him from across the pond.
On the negative side, I didn't like the huge number of photos dedicated to one trick, "VDP". It seemed excessive and didn't add to my enjoyment of the book. Also, his repetitive nagging about not using his tricks, although justified, was a little annoying.
Overall, a funny, entertaining book with good insights into the career development of a great entertainer. Still, I kind of wish I'd read Dickens first.
Community questions about Piff The Magic Book (Volume 1)
Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.
Neven asks: How much does the standard edition weigh?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:3.4lbs
Stanley asks: I think I've missed something, does the book teach his original Fool Us act? (The card change)
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Yes!
Abby asks: Got my Deluxe Edition very quickly. Neat! But I really don't quite get the Tacular. I'm sure I just need to be a little rougher with it, but I don't want to break it. Is there a guide to getting it operational?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:If you contact our customer support team, they will be thrilled to help! magic@vanishingincmagic.com
Rich asks: Are both versions of the book the same? That is, is the version of the book that a person pays $350 for the same book as what the $70 book is? I hope my question is clear enough. Thanks.
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:The book is the same, with the Deluxe edition you receive a lot more goodies and extras, the $70 version is just the book alone
Charles asks: https://youtube.com/live/0kRsApAbL2g goes to video of AGT, not the live stream.
- 1. Parker responds:NO
Gary asks: You're indicating this book as Volume 1. Is there going to be a Volume 2, and, if so, will the chest in the deluxe edition hold both volumes?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:We can neither confirm nor deny a volume 2. However, the deluxe chest will only hold one book.
David asks: Are the tacular plans in the book? Or would the deluxe need to be purchased to scale up the pieces used there? I'd like to build that as a stand for my busking table. Otherwise I can keep my instand customizations which are better in other ways
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:The Tacular is explained but Piff requests that readers do not copy his design.
Xavier asks: Where can we access the download to the livestream
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:If you signed up ahead of time for it, it will be added to your account. If not, it's here: https://youtube.com/live/0kRsApAbL2g
Wayne asks: Is there a link to watch the launch ? signed up but never received it. Appreciate it.
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:https://youtube.com/live/0kRsApAbL2g
Lisa asks: Will Piff or Mr Piffles be able to sign my book? I want it for anniversary gift for my aspiring magician husband PLEASE!!
- 1. Jim responds:If you take the book when you go see Piff's show, he will be happy to sign it!
- 2. Abby responds:The deluxe edition is signed (and numbered) by Piff.
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