Mystery School by Eugene Burger and Jeff Mcbride

An Adventure Into the Deeper Meaning of Magic

The Mystery School by Eugene Burger and Jeff Mcbride: First held in 1992, Eugene Burger and Jeff McBride’s Mystery School promised to be a magic conference unlike any other: a group of magicians dedicated to seriously exploring the deeper sides of the art of magic. This event would not be held in a hotel or restaurant, but at a beautiful retreat center in nature where creativity and fellowship across differences could be inspired. Nine years later, after eleven incredibly successful sessions, Jeff and Eugene ended Mystery School at its peak.

Now, in Eugene Burger and Jeff McBride’s first-ever collaborative work, the rest of us may at last peer into the shadowy conclave known as Mystery School. In this most unusual collection of essays, magic, ideas, and artwork the spirit of a very unique group of artists has been preserved, while still guarding the secrecy in which they met.

Featuring Jeff McBride stage masterpieces revealed for the first time, new pieces by Burger, and essays by Mystery School faculty member Robert Neale, plus magic and writings by some of the world’s most magical thinkers, including: Bob Fitch, Dan Harlan, Paul Harris, Kevin James, Vito Lupo, Patrick Martin, Max Maven, Stephen Minch, Alain Nu and Peter Samelson.

Eugene Burger was a legendary American master magician, philosopher, and historian who co-founded the McBride Magic & Mystery School alongside performance artist Jeff McBride. Conceived in 1991, the Mystery School officially began its first sessions in 1992 as an intimate, secretive nature-retreat conference focused on exploring the artistic, psychological, and spiritual depth of magic rather than just commercial tricks. 

Burger served as the first Dean of the school and remained its intellectual and philosophical anchor until his passing in 2017. 

Key Aspects of The Mystery School by Eugene Burger

• The Book: In 2003, Burger and McBride published their first collaborative text titled Mystery School: An Adventure into the Deeper Meaning of Magic. This massive 448-page book compiled the theory, essays, stage masterpieces, and philosophy of the retreat’s faculty and alumni, including contributions from Max Maven, Robert Neale, and Dan Harlan. 
• The Philosophy: Burger pushed for a dramatic shift away from simple puzzles and toward true storytelling, interactive performance art, and “bizarre magic”—drawing deeply from his academic background in divinity and the history of religion.
• The Legacy Fund: Today, the school functions globally as McBride’s Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas. The school hosts the Eugene Burger Legacy Fund, a scholarship program setup by his estate to help talented upcoming magicians afford to study and continue his pedagogical legacy. 

Over 450 large-format pages printed on acid-free satin-finish paper, hardbound with 16 full-color pages showcasing the exotic art of Katlyn Breene and beautiful full-color dustjacket.

As new, acquired directly from a magic dealer as a collectible, may have minor shelf wear.