“You are the magician in your own life.
You are the agent of transformation, your own transformation.”

— Eugene Burger

June 1, 1939 – August 8, 2017

In 2010, Eugene Burger asked Larry Hass to write and oversee two books that would share all of his unpublished material—books that would appear only after his death. The first of these, Eugene Burger: From Beyond, was released in 2019.

And now, the second book has been released: Eugene Burger: Final Secrets. It includes:

  • Complete details of 17 deeply deceptive real-world card mysteries, including “Influence,” “Fishing,” “Thought Sender,” and his legendary work on “The Trick that Cannot Be Explained.”
  • Access to 17 videos of Eugene performing and explaining these wonderful routines, as well as the complete audio recordings of his 1992 masterpiece, Growing in the Art of Magic.
  • Rarely seen photos, essays, interviews, public talks, and scripts.
  • Hardcover, 352 pages plus color insert: $120.00.

Available from www.TheoryandArtofMagic.com. Also exclusively available there are four products used to perform four routines in the book: “Influence,” “Unfazed,” “Thought Sender,” and “Observo.”

Eugene Burger’s lessons about magic – and life – live on. His legacy is celebrated by friends and fans around the globe.

Stagebill magazine proclaimed Eugene was “universally recognized as perhaps the finest close-up magician in the world.” Named one of the 100 most influential magicians of the 20th century by Magic Magazine, Eugene was a mesmerizing performer, insightful philosopher, provocative writer and inspiring teacher.

Eugene was Chicago’s best magician and served as Dean of Jeff McBride’s Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas. During his life, Eugene wrote 15 best-selling books on magic, which have been translated into several languages. He starred in the biographical documentary “A Magical Vision,” produced and directed by Michael Caplan. His exceptional presence led to numerous television appearances in Great Britain, Canada, Belgium, Finland and Japan. In the United States, he was profiled twice on CNN and appeared in such highly acclaimed shows as “The Art of Magic” on PBS and “Mysteries of Magic” on The Learning Channel. The master teacher also appeared in eight instructional videos and lectured extensively to magicians’ groups in over a dozen countries.

Eugene’s talk, “How Magicians Think,” applied his special understanding of deception and perception to the corporate world. He was a featured speaker for top executives of such major companies as Coca-Cola, Williams-Sonoma, Unisys and Pottery Barn, as well as for the graduate schools of business at the Universities of Chicago and Maryland.

A graduate of Yale University’s Divinity School, Eugene’s deep understanding of the psychology and philosophy behind magic won him international accolades, cover stories in conjuring magazines, and multiple awards from the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, the International Magicians Society, and FISM (International Federation of Magical Societies).

Eugene’s true passion was bringing mystery and enchantment to the public, and at that, he was unparalleled. Eugene enjoyed a long, healthy life, but in 2017 was diagnosed with terminal cancer. As he said at the time, “Now I am on the way to the ultimate capital-M Mystery of life.” Eugene embraced his final days with great clarity, humor, and peace of mind.

Accolades & Accomplishments

“Chicago’s Best Magician”
– Chicago Magazine, Best of Chicago Issue

Dean, McBride’s Magic & Mystery School, Las Vegas, NV

Recipient, Performing Fellowship, The Magic Castle, Hollywood, California

Two-time Recipient, Close-Up Magician of the Year, The Magic Castle, Hollywood, California

Two-time Recipient, Lecturer of the Year, The Magic Castle, Hollywood, California

“Eugene Burger is one of the most respected names in close-up magic today.”
– Chicago Tribune

“One of Chicago’s best loved magicians.”
– Crain’s Chicago Business

“Eugene Burger is perhaps the most eminent Chicago magician.”
– New City

Merlin Award, Close-Up Magician of the Year, 2010, International Magicians Society

“One of the 100 most influential magicians of the 20th century.”
– MAGIC Magazine

“Burger’s magic is simply jaw-dropping.”
– L. A. Weekly

“For decades Eugene Burger has been recognized by magicians and the public as one of the finest
and most engaging magicians alive.”
– Genii Magazine

2012 FISM (International Federation of Magical Societies) Special Award for Theory and Philosophy