PFM: A Night in the Life of Diamond Jim

I’ve arrived at my destination and anticipate all of the individuals that I’m soon to meet. As I throw on my jacket, I look up at the night sky and take in a deep breath. Exhaling a sigh of happiness, I enter the place, welcomed by handshakes and the call of my name. Life is good and my pockets are full of miracles.

Whose life should I brighten first? Should I go to young Taylor, who brings his parents each week to see me? Or should I enter the bar, where three of the regulars are waving me to come over? Hoping I’ve made the right choice, I go into the bar and tell my three friends, "I’ll be back shortly." They smile and promise to wait until I can make it back.

Taylor and his parents act impressed and once again treat me as if I’m a celebrity. My three pals in the bar plead with me to show them a trick I know they’ve seen at least a dozen times. I comply with the request of my three friends, but only after showing them something new. Magically the evening seems to fly by as I respond to each request.

As I drive back home, I think back on the night and reminisce about each smile, laugh, scream and look of amazement. I’ve visited with some old friends. I’ve made some new friends. The next time any of these friends come to a crossroads in life or feels that they’ve come up against something that is impossible, hopefully they’ll remember my magic and realize that when people change their perception of things, they can change the world!

What you will soon read has served me well, placing bread in my pocket as well as on the table. Pockets Full of Miracles is filled with many of my own routines as well as my adaptations of effects that I feel are worth performing. My repertoire, like my life, is filled with variety. Within these covers you will find routines involving cards, money, fire, gags, bar-betchas, mind-reading, comedy and more.

In the school of magic, I have no idea at what level, or in what category, you would place yourself. With that in mind, I have tried to create a book for every type of magician. With the descriptive text and numerous photos I have tried to capture every nuance during each routine. In addition, each term that falls into the category of "magic jargon" has been bold-faced. These bold-faced words are defined in the glossary at the back of the book.

I have also tried to give credit where credit is due. If I have neglected anyone, magician or otherwise, please notify me so that changes can be made to later editions. My late friend Lew Zafran was the inspiration for putting my thoughts on paper. Some of the routines you’ll read were his own or were done with his collaboration.

Please do not read this book as if it were an instruction manual for simple tricks. Take the time to read between the lines, and I promise that you will find some of the true secrets of magic. A successful magician is not measured by the quantity of effects he or she learns. The important thing, as in most professions, is the quality of what you know. So be prepared. . . .

You’re about to learn how to do some incredible mind-blowing magic!

Magically yours,

Diamond Jim Tyler

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