How to Make Two Books Inseparable

The basis for this trick is friction, the force that impedes the motion between two surfaces. The friction created between any two pages of the books is minimal, but multiplied by a couple hundred interwoven pages, the friction is enough to prevent the books from being pulled apart.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find two books that are the same size that have the same number of pages and similar bindings. Choose two books with at least 100 pages each.
2. Tell a spectator that it is possible to make the two books inseparable without the use of adhesives, tape, string or rubber bands. Let the spectator examine the books and see that they are unaltered.
3. Place the books side by side on a table with Book A's cover right side up and Book B's cover upside down. Position the books so that the bindings are to the outside. Slide the back cover of Book A between the back cover and last page of Book B.
4. Gather the pages of Book A in the left hand. Gather the pages of Book B in the right hand. Shuffle the pages together carefully and slowly one or two pages at a time so that the books overlap in the middle of the pages.
5. Grab each book by the spine and show the spectator that it's not possible to pull them apart. Exert equal pull force from either spine. Let the spectator attempt to separate the books by pulling on the spines.
6. Separate the books by resting one of them on its spine on a table. Hold the other book gently by the spine and the two books come apart.

Tips & Warnings

• This trick works best with larger format soft cover books.