Description: Was magic, from politics to everyday life, once a fundamental part of human existence? Here is the history of magical humanity — a story even more captivating than magic itself. The countless illusions performed in magic shows today are far more than simple entertainment. Magic is a dynamic world woven from human desire and perception — the wish to see what we want to believe — along with the endless creation of knowledge and the pursuit of power. From the ritual magic that once wielded political influence in ancient times to the popular magic shows that flourished from the twentieth century onward, magic has taken many forms throughout human life. Across more than two thousand years of history, what faces has magic worn within politics, society, daily life, and the human heart? To uncover these many faces, the author dives into the world of art itself. Written by Oh Eun-young, one of Korea's leading magicians, this book blends the fascinating history of magic with a rich collection of paintings and images — making it Korea's first humanities book devoted to the art of magic. Homo Magicus: The History of Magical Humanity uncovers stories even more enchanting and mysterious than magic itself: Phantasmagoria, the ghostly illusion that inspired modern cinema; the strange tale of Mary Toft's rabbit birth hoax, said to be the origin of the classic rabbit-from-a-hat trick; and Ching Ling Foo, the enigmatic magician whose real life was more dramatic than the film Magic in the Moonlight. Featuring famous paintings, ancient murals, and dazzling posters and photographs from magic's golden age, this book vividly brings to life both the magicians and the magic found within — and beyond — the frame of the image.