Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #236620 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Is this an illusion,or am I seeing things?

Another wonderful work by Al Seckel and an appropriate companion to his other gem "Master's of Detection".See my review of it dated Dec 1,2004.
This is a fine collection of 144 intriguing illusions.There are examples of a lot of different forms of illusions.I say a lot because there is one form which I like which is not included. That being "trompe-l'oeil" which is French for still-life deception,illusion,sham or camouflage.A well known artist who excels at it is Bev Doolittle.
Al has included many of the classic illusions,of which 105 is an example from the puzzle master Sam Loyd,and crops up in many books.No.5 is really good being a combination of a photograph of a man holding an "impossible figure".Nos.10 & 104 are similar,but 10 jumps out at me while 104 is something else!No.26 and 139 would have to be called "real illusions".No.139 reminds me of an experience I had on the Marsh Boardwalk at Point Pelee National Park during spring bird migration.An American Bittern,which stands about 20 inches tall, was standing in the reeds about 30 feet from me in a similar pose;except the bill was pointed straight up.The bird held itself completely motionless while I pointed it out to quite a few people over a period of a half hour or so.Some had great dificulty in picking it out,even with binoculars.What a thrill it was for them when they finally "found it".
A few are ageless ones namely,14(which reminds me of another of a girl in a mirror),77,95,147 and 144 ;but always good to see again.No. 119 is a switch where you get to make and solve your own illusion or puzzle.
Kudos to Jerry,see review of Oct 23,2000,who states:

"The mind is blind to what the eye can't see".Well said!

Anyway, a great treatment of illusions and sure to catch the interest of young and not so young,and all in between.







'

The very best
The award for "Best Book for Young Adults" was an understatement. My boys could not put it down! And their friends come over and get totally absorbed in it too! I watched all of them crowd around this book and discuss each image endlessly. Finally, something tore them away from playstation! Thank you Al!

Wonderful
I got my book today and I'm so happy to have bought it.
You will smile and get amazed with such incredible pictures
and effects.

I agree with other people that the explanations about each effect are minimum. I'd like little more about the theory
behind each one, but it doesn't matter, you and your family
will spend great moments with this book. I definetly
recommend it to everyone :-)