“No Illusion — This Stuff Really Happened” by David Garrard
Reviewed by Tommy Ellison, a member of The Baptist Church at McAdory, near Bessemer, and long-time friend of author and magician David Garrard 
David Garrard’s newest book, “No Illusion — This Stuff Really Happened” offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a professional magician who has dedicated his career to both entertainment and ministry. Garrard is not only an accomplished magician but also as a minister. Following his studies at Samford University in Birmingham and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, he served as minister to children at St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Louisville for 42 years.
This dual calling — magic and ministry — shaped a life filled with extraordinary moments, unforgettable characters and lessons rooted in faith.
The journey begins with Garrard’s father, Forrest Garrard, a local pastor in Atlanta with a strong interest in magic. While Forrest never performed magic shows, his hobby sparked David’s imagination, setting him on the path to becoming a world-class magician. Over the decades, Garrard has shared his talents with diverse audiences, working with Christian organizations like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Upward Basketball and Southern Baptist Convention RecLab workshops. These partnerships reflect his deep commitment to weaving his faith into his art.
‘Warm, relatable and rich with spiritual insight’
The memoir is packed with short stories that range from happy to sad, exciting to reflective. Whether recounting his early fascination with magic or his long tenure in children’s ministry, Garrard’s writing is warm, relatable and rich with spiritual insight. He uses vivid anecdotes to connect the dots between life’s challenges and God’s promises. On one occasion, he recalls a childhood coloring assignment where he failed to follow instructions — choosing his own colors instead of the prescribed ones. The resulting lesson? Life, like art, works best when we follow the Creator’s design.
For those who know Garrard personally, this book is a treasure trove of stories involving familiar faces and shared memories. Even for readers new to his world, the memoir offers valuable lessons and compelling glimpses of life behind the scenes of both his magic shows and ministry work. As Garrard often reminds his audience, “Life is like a roller coaster,” full of twists, turns and surprises. Yet, as he poignantly notes, “God is with us before we are born, walks with us daily and promises to take us home.” This profound message underscores the book: God’s presence is constant, and His promises are unwavering.
What sets Garrard apart is his ability to merge the worlds of magic and ministry seamlessly? Whether entertaining secular audiences or sharing biblical truths with Christian groups, he uses his talents to create meaningful and memorable presentations. His performances serve as more than entertainment — they become vehicles for spreading the gospel and reflecting the wonder of God’s love.
If you’ve ever seen Garrard perform, this book will deepen your appreciation for his work. If you haven’t, it’s the perfect introduction to a man who has spent five decades captivating audiences and inspiring faith. Filled with laughter, wisdom and spiritual encouragement, “No Illusion” is a must-read. As Garrard reminds us, there’s no illusion in reality — only the profound truth of God’s grace. This book is a testament to a life well-lived and a faith unwavering.
The book is available directly from the author at davidgarrardmagic.com.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This book review was written by Tommy Ellison and shared with The Alabama Baptist. David Garrard has appeared in a variety of articles in The Alabama Baptist through the years, and Tommy Ellison serves as one of the news readers for The Weekly podcast, which is produced by The Alabama Baptist and TAB Media Group.
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