Sleights of Mind

Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde (husband and wife) are laboratory directors at the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) in Phoenix, Arizona, where they study various aspects of visual, sensory and cognitive neuroscience. Their research has appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times, New Scientist and Wired magazine. Sandra Blakeslee is a science correspondent at the New York Times.

One of the best books I've read on how the brain actually works ... And the back story, of two boffins trying to become magicians - and succeeding! - is great too -- William Leith Evening Standard Sleights of Mind is a terrific read, combining science, neurology, and magic - not an easy trick, but the authors have done a brilliant job of putting a mirror up to ourselves. I loved it. -- Joe Navarro, author of 'What Every Body is Saying' Magic is the place where our senses and beliefs fail us in magnificent ways. In this exciting book the authors explore what magic and illusions can teach us about our fallible human nature -- Dan Ariely, author of Predictability Irrational Sleights of Mind has discovered why magic works - by exploring how magicians test the limits of human senses to create magic effects. It's fantastic -- probably the most important magic book I have ever read. I love it. -- Kevin McMahon, Artistic Director, The Edinburgh International Magic Festival Underlines how our perception of reality - far from being a reliable resource - is at best a series of shortcuts and presumptions shaped by evolution Sunday Business Post Brilliantly simple and wonderfully engaging Sunday Times