About the book: 1990 / In 1877, Professor Hoffmann’s famous book “Modern Magic” was translated in Russia. Increased interest in maps prompted ARKONA to publish the first five chapters in 1990. The title displays the name of one of the tricks. The editors tried to improve the old translation and replaced some things. However, the words “magic” (magician), “magic wand” (magic wand), “indifferent card” (any card) and many other gems that make reading interesting and educational remain. Despite the mistakes, this is perhaps the closest translation to the original. With respect, I would like to note that the editors do not hide the real title and author. However, even this book repeats those funny mistakes, like diagrams 9 and 10 turned upside down and diagrams 15 and 27 turned 90 degrees, which became the hallmark of Hoffmann’s Russian translations for a whole century.