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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Conjuring Asia

Name: Conjuring Asia
Price: 123.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781107076594

✍️ Goto-Jones, Chris

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$123.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A historical study of Asian magicians during the Golden Age of illusion.

The text argues against the idea that modernity erased magical thinking in Asia. Goto-Jones uses the output of Golden Age Magicians to show how they maintained influence. The work looks at how these figures used their platforms to engage with contemporary issues. It does not treat magic as a relic but as an active part of social life. The analysis connects performance art with broader historical trends in the region.

Key Themes

Golden Age Magicians Asian history industrial modernity

Literary Context

The book focuses on Asia during the turn of the century, a period associated with the Golden Age of Magicians. It addresses the tension between industrial development and magical belief systems in that specific geographic and temporal context.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Carl Jung · Mircea Eliade · Arthur Conan Doyle · The Golden Dawn

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Cambridge University Press 📅 2016 📖 336 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781107076594

Fun Fact

Chris Goto-Jones masterfully deconstructs the myth of modernity's 'disenchantment,' presenting a compelling case for magic's enduring power, particularly through an under-explored Asian lens. This book shines in its rigorous scholarship and thought-provoking analysis, making it essential for cultural historians and enthusiasts of magic's intellectual underpinnings. However, readers seeking a compendium of tricks or light entertainment might find its academic depth challenging. It firmly establishes itself as a significant contribution to the history of ideas and performance.

📝 Description: Conjuring Asia

Chris Goto-Jones examines the intersection of magic and modernity in his work Conjuring Asia. He challenges the standard narrative that industrial progress inevitably leads to a disenchanted world by focusing on the era known as the Golden Age of Magicians. The text draws heavily on the writings and performances of these specific practitioners from the turn of the century. Goto-Jones, the author, structures his analysis to reveal how magical practices persisted within the frameworks of Asian societies during this period of intense change. The book covers subjects related to history in Asia and general magic as a game or activity. It utilizes primary sources such as personal writings and stage performances to build its argument. The physical volume contains 336 pages and is published by Cambridge University Press. Goto-Jones qualifies his subject matter by grounding it in the specific cultural context of Asian modernity rather than Western assumptions. This approach offers a distinct perspective on how illusionists and occultists operated during their time. Readers interested in the historical sociology of magic or the cultural history of Asia will find this text relevant. It suits those who want to understand the mechanics of performance and belief in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Asia. Scholars of Western esotericism may find the regional focus less applicable to their specific research needs. The book remains a focused study on a particular group of performers and their impact on the concept of enchantment.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This academic text provides a compelling argument against the idea that modernity dispelled all mystery, focusing instead on how magic thrived through performance and engagement with science. However, readers seeking entertaining narratives or practical magical techniques will be disappointed by its scholarly tone and dense theoretical framework. It is not suitable for casual browsers looking for light reading or those who believe magic was entirely eradicated by the industrial age. The book demands patience and a willingness to engage with complex historical and cultural analysis rather than offering simple answers or whimsical tales of wizardry.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and enthusiasts of esoteric history will find immense value in this rigorous exploration of how illusion interacted with the dawn of the modern world. Readers interested in the cross-cultural exchange between Western magic and Asian contexts will appreciate the detailed analysis of performance and reception. It is essential for those who wish to understand that magic did not vanish with industrialization but rather evolved, engaging dynamically with new scientific paradigms. This book offers a nuanced perspective on the persistence of mystery, making it a vital resource for anyone studying the intersection of technology, culture, and the occult during this transformative era.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the intersection of cultural history and the art of illusion, or curious how mysticism endured amidst technological leaps, this book offers a compelling narrative. It's for those who seek to understand magic's role beyond mere entertainment.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This academic text provides a compelling argument against the idea that modernity dispelled all mystery, focusing instead on how magic thrived through performance and engagement with science. However, readers seeking entertaining narratives or practical magical techniques will be disappointed by its scholarly tone and dense theoretical framework. It is not suitable for casual browsers looking for light reading or those who believe magic was entirely eradicated by the industrial age. The book demands patience and a willingness to engage with complex historical and cultural analysis rather than offering simple answers or whimsical tales of wizardry.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is a scholarly exploration of magic's historical and cultural significance, examining its role in society rather than teaching specific illusions or techniques for performance.

While broad in scope, the book particularly focuses on the 'Golden Age Magicians' and their influence across Asia, analyzing how Western and indigenous magical traditions converged during this pivotal period.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Magic's Modern Survival

Explore how the art of illusion captivated audiences during the rise of industrialization, challenging notions of a purely rational, disenchanted world. This work delves into the surprising resilience and evolution of magical performance as technology advanced, revealing its continued hold on the human psyche and its adaptability in changing societies.

Asian Conjuring Traditions

Discover the rich tapestry of magical practices and performances that flourished across Asia during a pivotal historical period. The book illuminates how local traditions intersected with global trends in illusion, offering a unique perspective on the cultural exchange and diverse expressions of esoteric arts in the East, often overlooked in Western-centric narratives.

Golden Age Illusionists

This study examines the influential figures from the 'Golden Age of Magic,' analyzing their acts and philosophies. It highlights how these legendary performers not only entertained but also shaped public perception of mystery and wonder, providing a crucial lens through which to understand societal views on belief, skepticism, and the spectacle of the impossible.

📜 Historical context

This work contributes to a growing body of scholarship that re-evaluates the simplistic narrative of modernity as solely a process of disenchantment. It stands alongside studies exploring the persistent spiritual and mystical undercurrents in seemingly secular eras, particularly by focusing on non-Western perspectives to broaden the traditional Eurocentric view of magic's decline and transformation.

📚 Glossary

Disenchantment
Golden Age Magicians
Industrial Modernity

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does modern technology sometimes feel like magic, blurring the lines between science and wonder in your own experience?
Consider a time when you experienced something unexplainable. How did that challenge or expand your understanding of the world?
In what ways do contemporary forms of entertainment (e.g., virtual reality, cinema) continue the legacy of illusionists in creating shared wonder and suspending disbelief?