Magic Squares - The Mathematics And The Magic

This illustrated treatise on Magic Squares covers the following subjects:

• the history of Magic Squares
• general classes of Magic Squares
• various formulae for creating Magic Squares
• detailed analyses of 3 x 3, 4 x 4 and 5 x 5 Magic Squares
• variations on Magic Squares
• Magic Square routines, puzzles and presentations, including "one novel contribution by the author which combines origami (the Crossed Box Pleat) with a Magic Square, The Origami Magic Square" (Eddie Dawes, M.I.M.C., in The Magic Circular)
• references to approximately 40 other works on Magic Squares and mnemonics
• over 40 pages of detailed Appendices

Note that many of the magical routines are not explained, since the secrets are not mine to reveal, although the book does cross-reference all of the necessary sources.

Testimonials

Comments from reviews by other magicians and mathematicians include:

• "... a significant addition to the literature of magic squares" (Eddie Dawes, M.I.M.C., in The Magic Circular)
• "... a splendid piece of work" (Alan Shaxon, M.I.M.C.)
• "... one of the minority classics" (Joe Riding)
• "I wish a book like this would have been available to me a long time ago" (Jules Lenier)
• "... an excellent reference book ..." (Michael Close in Magic)
• "... a remarkable reference book ..." (Wee Kien Meng, Singapore Magicians Network)
• "... I can honestly say that I have never seen such a thorough treatise on magic squares anywhere ..." (Andrew Jeffrey, Head of Maths, St Aubyns School, Rottingdean)

Discover The Magic

Many people have never heard of Magic Squares, and at a glance, some people may even associate a Magic Square with Sudoku. Although Magic Squares have been a source of interest and fascination for humans for over four millennia, most people nowadays have yet to discover the joy and enchantment of Magic Squares.

This book will shed light on the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of Magic Squares, illustrating the basic mathematics behind them, the intriguing patterns created, the many different guises in which they appear, as well as some of the uses to which magicians have put them.

Math Is Good For The Brain

Yes, I know it's hard to believe, but math is actually good for the brain. The brain is basically like any other part of the human body - it needs regular exercise to stay fit and healthy, and this can come in many forms, be it playing blackjack (card counting takes a lot of practice!), working out the odds in, say, roulette games, or calculating your change - also delving into the wonders of Magic Squares will certainly get your brain going!

I realize that many people have an almost morbid fear of mathematics, and that's almost always down to the way it's taught (i.e. badly and boringly), but get children started early enough, and make it fun, and they'll never have this problem for the rest of their lives - they'll be streets ahead of their classmates.