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PaulPacific Special user Yes, I used my toes to type all of my 907 Posts |
In reading the other threads here, reader will be aware of the material you like the most ie: Vernon, Royal Road, etc..
Can you tell us the books that are overlooked - the gems of literature that are perhaps underestimated or even ignored either because of their age or their lack of availability. What obscure books do you think magicians should take a serious second look at if they can get their hands on them?
Blessings on thee, little man,
barefoot boy with cheeks of tan... Outward sunshine; inward joy, Blessings on thee, barefoot boy! :-D |
*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
I am more concerned about my videoclipped interviews being overlooked. Some people here think that threads have already finished but I have added other posts since then and added the clips which only just appeared on You Tube today. Here is one of them. You will probably find the others because they are all grouped together. This is a good one because it talks about my views on what makes a good magician.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMO5wcDvqRI&feature=related |
RiffRaff Special user 671 Posts |
I think Paul's question is excellent.
The books you have listed thus far are primarily card-based (and one on children's shows). Since, after watching Potassy, you have renewed the focus of your stage show towards the classics, what books would you recommend in that genre? INCIDENTALLY, your video interview is excellent as well. |
*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
Paul has indeed asked a sensible question and it deserves a sensible answer. In truth Paul will verify that I study all sorts of books on magic which are not card trick based. I am very well read in magic and from pure memory alone I can find a reference to some matter in print very quickly. Paul has often expressed surprise over it.
Paul asked about obscure books and I think he is being very astute in asking. I read all the eminent books such as 13 Steps, Ormond Mc'Gills works, Bobo's Coin Magic, the GAnson books on Vernon etc; but the obscure books I read are far more intriguing to discuss. Let me think. Our Magic is certainly one of the obscure books. I think the theory in it is absolutely brilliant but it can be a bit heavy to wade through. Well worth the effort though may be, in the long run a more useful purchase than the latest DVD. Here is the most obscure book of all. In fact I think only the author and his mother have read it. It is titled simply "The Magician" and the author is Robert A Stebbins. The sub title will give an idea what the book is all about. "Career, Culture, and Social Psychology in a Variety Art" The author is not a magician but a sociologist. The book is a socialogy study about magicians and how they relate to their audiences and each other. It explores the relationship between amateur magicians and professionals and is a very interesting read. Edward Hutchinson has written a couple of obscure books, one on mentalism and one on hypnotism that I like a lot. I very much like Mr Hutchinsons writing style and I remember many yeara ago in a mall showing Paul the mentalism book and saying how much I liked it. Interestingly enough I see Mr Hutchinson has reviewed my book here and I am happy to return the compliment. http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=110&5 I also think that the volumes I see around consisting of Hugard's Magic Monthly magazines are a real goldmine of information. I see them sitting forlonly on the top shelf of the local magic shop and because of their dull cover and old fashioned printing nobody is the slightest bit interested in them and instead are eagerly devouring the latest book or DVD with the fancy cover and mediocre contents. I just cringe every time I see it and it almost makes we want to weep to see such a goldmine of useful practical material being neglected and cast aside. There are indeed more obscure books around and I read a lot of them. I do not look after my books properly and you will see them all falling to bits because of my constant use of them. I have just thought of one more. "Forging Ahead in Magic" by John Booth is pretty obscure nowadays as is CArd FAntasies by Edward Love. Both these books are very valuable indeed. On one of the You Tube videos I posted the sequence of one hand cutting and the patter comes straight from Card Fantasies virtually word for word. No. Never underestimate the obscure old books. Give them a fresh look and you will find a hidden treaure trove of information that nobody is using nowadays. |
*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
Oops! I forgot to answer Riff RAff. With regard to good platform material the Karrell Fox books are good as is the Faucett Ross book by Ganson. Billy McComb's book 25 years wiser is pretty good too despite the bad writing. Oh and talking about obscure books Billy did a terrific one with Martin Breese publishing it. In fact it is so obscure that I forget the bloody title. *** good though. The Nap Hand presentation is in there.
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RiffRaff Special user 671 Posts |
Perhaps this is the McComb book of which you speak?
http://www.lybrary.com/professional-touch-p-74718.html |
*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
Yes. That's it.
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drhackenbush Special user 686 Posts |
How about Neo-Magic by Sharpe?
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*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
That is so obscure that even I haven't read it!
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Mick Ayres Special user Hilton Head Island 998 Posts |
Well, thanks a lot, Mark.
Up till now, you and I and Edward hisself were probably the only ones who knew Hutchinson's fine books even existed. You just had to let the cat out of the bag? Semi-warm regards, Mick
THE FIVE OBLIGATIONS OF CONJURING: Study. Practice. Script. Rehearse. Perform. Drop one and you're done.
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