David Kwong – författare

A professional magician and illusionist—the head magic consultant for the hit film Now You See Me—reveals how to bridge the gap between perception and reality to increase your powers of persuasion and influence.

David Kwong has astounded corporate CEOs, TED talk audiences, and thousands of other hyper-rational people, making them see, believe, and even remember what he wants them to. Illusion is an ancient art that centers on control: commanding a room, building anticipation, and appearing to work wonders. Illusion works because the human brain is wired to fill the gap between seeing and believing. Successful leaders—like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, and Ted Turner—are masters of control and command who understand how to sway opinions and achieve goals.

In his years of research and practice, David has discovered seven fundamental principles of illusion. With these rules anyone can learn to:

Mind the Gap—recognize and employ the perceptual space between your audience’s ability to see and their impulse to believe.Load Up—prepare to amaze your audience.Write the Script—discover the importance of shaping the narrative that surrounds your illusion.Control the Frame—explore the real life value of a magician’s best friend: misdirection.Design Free Choice—command your audience by giving them agency.Employ the Familiar—take secret advantage of habits, patterns, and audience expectations.Conjure an Out—develop backup plans that will keep you one, two, three, or more steps ahead of the competition.

With Spellbound you’ll discover a different way to sell your idea, product, or skills, and make your best shot better than everyone else’s.

From the star and host of Netflix's The Puzzle Room with David Kwong!Make coins pass through solid objects! Predict your friends’ choices! Read minds! …And all before the bell rings for homeroom!HOW TO FOOL YOUR SCHOOL is the ultimate handbook for all-things magic, with tricks designed specifically for in-school performance. With more than 25 new illusions, readers will add to their magical repertoire while also learning about famous magicians, the background behind some of magic’s most iconic tricks, and the history of magic. This book includes:Tricks built for every subject—from math to art to physics—meaning that aspiring illusionists won’t just amaze their classmates, they can wow their teachers as well.Over 25 new illusions, from mind-reading to classic card tricksAll from master magician David Kwong, star and host of Netflix's The Puzzle Room with David Kwong, as well as a consultant for blockbuster movies such as Now You See Me, Mission: Impossible--Rogue Nation, and The Imitation Game.It's the latest book from Hollywood’s beloved master of the slight-of-hand himself, David Kwong, whose one-man shows have been selling out theaters and delighting audiences for years.

David Kwong is the go-to consultant for Hollywood’s biggest illusion-heavy projects, including the hit films Now You See Me, The Imitation Game and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. In Spellbound he reveals how to bridge the gap between perception and reality to increase your powers of persuasion and influence.David Kwong has astounded large crowds, from CEOs to TED talk audiences to thousands of other hyper-rational people, making them see, believe and even remember what he wants them to. Illusion is an ancient art that centres on control: commanding a room, building anticipation, and appearing to work wonders. Illusion works because the human brain is wired to fill the gap between seeing and believing. Surprisingly, these are the tools used by top leaders like Steve Jobs and Richard Branson; masters of control and command who understand how to sway opinions and achieve goals. Spellbound shows us that illusions are more than just a set of tricks; it is a trainable craft that holds the principles of winning over an audience, which can be applied to every aspect of life.Through years of practice, research and learning (including a Harvard degree in the history of magic), David discovered the seven fundamental principles of illusion, like how to use the space between seeing and believing, shape narratives and command your audience by giving them agency.Packed with amazing stories and insights, Spellbound gives you a fresh and engaging way to sell your idea, production or skills to stand out from the crowd.