Champions of Illusion The Best Illusions of the Twenty-First Century

A full-colour celebration of stunning visual illusions and the science behind them.



In Champions of Illusion, Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik present a smorgasbord of mystifying images, many selected from their Best Illusion of the Year Contest. Whether it's false motion, tricks of perspective, or shifting colors, Champions of Illusion is packed with adventures in perception. If you've ever come face-to-face with an utterly bewildering illusion, you've probably asked yourself: How is that possible? Martinez-Conde and Macknik, who study the intersection of neuroscience, illusions, and stage magic, explain just why you think you see the things you see. The Best Illusion of the Year Contest draws entries from vision scientists, artists, magicians, and mathematicians bent on creating today's most beguiling illusions. Featuring bizarre effects and unbelievable mind tricks, along with classic illusions and illuminating descriptions of what is actually going on in your brain when you are deceived by visuals on the page, Champions of Illusion is an electrifying mix of science and magic that you will not soon forget.