Books by Michael Rose

A long overdue biography of a Baltimore magic icon. Phil Thomas was indeed Maryland’s Ambassador of Magic. From his early days of performing with lifelong friends Milbourne Christopher and Hen Fetsch to his decades of owning and operating the Yogi Magic Mart (which was a big influence on the Denny & Lee Magic Studio years later), Phil was a Baltimore magic icon. Authors Mark Walker and Michael Rose have done exhaustive research and left no stone unturned. Every aspect of Phil’s life and magic are explored. After reading Maryland’s Ambassador of Magic: Phil Thomas and the Yogi Magic Mart you will understand why when people thought of magic in Baltimore they immediately thought of Phil Thomas. 

“This is a well written, charming biography of Phil Thomas and the great magic shop he created. No shelf of magic biographies should be without this.”

- Thomas Ewing, National Historian of the Society of American Magicians

“If it weren't for Phil's shop, I never would have gotten into magic... I would have never been able to develop my act without finding Tom Palmers booklet in his shop.”  

- Dick Kohlhafer, Kohl & Company

"An excellent biography. Your tribute to Phil Thomas is outstanding, and I really felt that I got to know the man." 

- Michael Claxton, PhD, author of Don't Fool Yourself: The Magical Life of Dell O'Dell

“Your book arrived today! Just like Christmas for me! I am impressed... a charming story about a wonderful man.”  

- William Rauscher, Magic Historian, Lecturer and Author

"Just finished reading 'Maryland’s Ambassador of Magic.' I honestly couldn’t put it down. Your words paint a wonderful picture of Phil Thomas, the time and place in which he lived, and the people he knew and loved. Even without the numerous photos, which are amazing, your book allows the reader to experience this incredible chapter of Baltimore magic history. Astounding research and detail. An excellent, important history."
- Michael Kassel, PhD, Lecturer in American History, University of Michigan-Flint 

Click on the red BUY NOW button below to get your copy (once you click the button you have the option to pay with PayPal (OR a credit card without a PayPal account) . Or email Mike.Rose.Magic@verizon.net for mailing instructions to pay by check.

Joe Karson, of course, invented the famous “Zombie” floating ball, but there was quite a bit more to Karson than just that. The book tells his whole story of his life and his magic performances and creations.

The book is a 6 x 9 hard bound, gold stamped book, printed on high quality, heavy glossy stock and limited to 500 copies. At 210 pages, the book is divided into two main sections; Karson’s biography and Karson’s creations (books, tricks and commentary). It has 26 photos, most not seen in many years. Besides extensive research in New England public records, several people who knew Karson were also interviewed both magicians and laymen. Some of the well-known magic personalities interviewed were; John Calvert, Jim Cellini, Ray & Ann Goulet, Jay Marshall, Sidney Radner, Nick Ruggiero, Les Smith, Tony Spina, Ben Stone, Parker Swan, and many others. The book also features a Foreword by Lance Burton, one of the most famous “Zombie” workers alive. The first edition is sold out.

If you missed the first edition, a new and revised edition has been created in e-book form just for you. The new revised e-book is currently available from Lybrary.com only. It’s has all the information that the original hardbound edition had, but a few errors have been corrected and a few omissions have been added (plus some new photos and other stuff, too!). But you can only purchase it from Lybrary.com.

Want more Joe Karson? Sure we all do! Together with Chris Wasshuber of Lybrary.com Mike has a second e-book available, Joe Karson Compilation.  Contained in the new e-book are Joe Karson’s books which have been out of print for over half a decade. The e-book (which is completely searchable) even includes the instruction sheets to some of Karson’s marketed tricks, including the very unique, “Voodoo.” Click here to go directly to Lybrary.com link to find out more.