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ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
First the background: Back when we broadcast the episode with Denny, we received so many comments about how much you enjoyed that show and the discussion we had about books.
So Pepka and I decided to spend an entire Magic Lantern show (at Reels in Motion .tv) discussing different books. We cover biographies, books on theory, the old classics and the "new" classics. We also want to make the discussion of books a permanent segment in the show and invite everyone to participate in this discussion. Choose a book you really enjoy and either write a short review here or record it as an mp3 and email it to us to include in future shows. Let us know WHY you enjoy the book (do you use a trick, do you just like the author's style, did you learn one gold nugget of info?) So please enjoy the show, then share your books here! Best regards, Scott |
Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Scott,
First off, thanks so much for the Magic Lantern and especially the splendid job you and David Pepka did on the Denny Haney interview. Stewart James in Print and The James File are a testament to a true wizard. I read only the classics and these certainly merit that designation. These books are NOT for the casual "glosser" but rather are for the serious student of Magic. Stewart James's genius in creating great effects has been matched by few in the Art. The serious reader will find cutting edge magic all through the combined 2700+ pages. How does one review the life work of such a thinker and creator? The influence of Stewart James resonates throughout Magic and shall forever do so. James created MIRACLES that rival much of what is "new" today because what is new today still has not caught up to Mr. James. The Secret Ways of Al Baker falls into this same category. Baker, like James, had an amazing knack for structuring strong effects with unbelievably elegant methods. I recall as a rookie Magician my first encounter with Baker's work was the very first effect in Hugard's Encyclopedia of Card Tricks. I was floored at the sheer power this double prediction had. Digging through the literature and finding more of Al Baker's work changed my perspective on magic from merely fun to a serious art form that demands the same dedication to perfection as all the other fine and performing arts. Again I am at a loss to review Todd Karr's masterpiece of Al Baker's collected works. Both the James books and the Baker book provide compelling insights into the minds and methods of these legends. These creators were renaissance men in the truest sense of the word and Magic would be diminished without them. I hope that this thread will generate thought provoking discussion on the great books of the Art and I applaud you and David for starting such an important discussion!! Best, Vlad |
ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
Vlad,
That is some very insightful information. I must admit, I haven't spent the time I should with Karr's book on Baker. I did study it briefly when working on some memorized deck work. It is fascinating seeing the lives intermingle, for example, Vernon and Cardini with Baker, and how each affected the others. I'll have to go back and go through Baker's work again. As for James. You're right. That's a lifetime of study right there! For me, I am currently in the Vernon/Scott/Cardini/McGuire era. I'm comparing Fisher's work on Cardini (published by Karr) with the Phantom. This is one reason why I am spending so much time reading David Ben's Vernon biography, to get to that portion of his life. Scott |
Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Scott,
You are doing some very exciting research. I am curious as to what your opinion is of Karl Norman's The Magician and the Cardsharp. I found it to be well written but as I was reading it I was constantly reminded of Tony Giorgio's comments about Vernon and the center deal in Genii. On another note, I am pleased with this thread and your project The Magic Lantern. Perhaps you and David will be the catalysts for getting the DVD generation to realise that they are missing out on so much. It is interesting to note for example that Jay Sankey's effect Astral Projection is EXACTLY the same effect as The King's Cards from Annemann's JINX. Why I say they are missing out is the very obvious fact that much of what is new really is not, and that if these folks who only buy the latest DVDs would take a chance and peruse some of the great books, I would wager that most would never return to the so called latest and greatest DVD - especially those that are one trick ponies. Some would perhaps argue that if the effect from Sankey is the same then they have not missed out. My answer is that they have missed all the great magic from the other 879 pages of the Jinx! I hate performing for other magicians, but I confess to a certain warm feeling when I fry one with something from Tarbell or The Sphinx, or a myriad other classic texts. I think it would be fascinating sometime to have a discussion on those great creators that essentially invented their own magic. Slydini and Jerry Andrus immediately come to mind as I write this. Best to you this Holiday season Scott and keep up the excellent work! Vlad |
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