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Lost in Thought Veteran user 343 Posts |
Okay...
Absolute Magic is a well written book by a good close-up magician, about why he performs (performed) the way he does (did). Strong Magic is one of the best books on magic theory, and attempts to identify and label key elements in the performance of magic, especially focused on the design of character and the different kinds of meaning and conviction. It's primarily a book on what makes something into good magic. Magic and Showmanship (You didn't mention it, but you possibly should have) is a book on theatrical theory, where it applies to magic. It contains wonderfully practical staging and blocking advice, especially on working with an assistant. Henning Nelms was a director, and his book is principally of value in those terms. (It's also the cheapest by far) Maximum Entertainment is a wonderful look at what "entertainment" actually is - something which is severely lacking in a lot of performances. It's a book very much focused on the practicalities of performing, and therefore is the only one of the above to actually talk about such basic and vital issues as microphone usage. It's less of a book on theory than the above. I own, reference and have benefited from all of the above in my work. They each cover different ground, and I certainly don't agree completely with any of them. By far the least useful of the bunch is Absolute Magic, despite being a good read. |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10585 Posts |
One of it's greatest appeals is that it is NOT a book about magic. It's a book about being an entertainer, a performer. than can be applied to any time of live entertainment performance.
I know many entertainers than have nothing to do with magic that have used this book to achieve amazing results with their performance. |
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KiKi Inner circle GERMANY/ Hannover 1143 Posts |
I also can recommend the book. Just amazing! One of the best books i´ve read!
kiki |
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
You may not agree with his answers, but he sure is asking the right questions.
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
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magic maniac Special user 516 Posts |
I respectively disagree with Bobby. This book tells you EXACTLY what to do step by step. That's why I love this book, it's so practical. Also pick-up 'Win the Crowd' by Steve Cohen, these 2 books go hand in hand together.
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Rafael The Master Hypnotist Elite user South East Asia 498 Posts |
It is like a New Testament for me! along with Paul Brooks "Alcemical Tools"
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The BIGEST Room in the world is the Room for Improvement
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whiteoakcanyon Special user 899 Posts |
I read Maximum Entertainment a few months ago and loved it. It is an easy read filled with great ideas. Very Highly Recommended!
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robwar0100 Inner circle Buy me some newspapers.Purchase for me 1 Gazette and 1747 Posts |
Magic Maniac,
Not sure we disagree; it might be I did not explain myself very well. The author offers a lot of suggestions about how to improve the performance without necessarily saying "this is the absolute way for you if you want to be good." He leaves latitude for your personality. Bobby
"My definition of chance is my hands on the wheel," Greg Long.
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mrmysticmike Elite user Cleveland, Ohio 427 Posts |
Another vote for "Maximum Entertainment".
There is something for every level of performer. |
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david12345 Special user 714 Posts |
Late to the party but here is another big vote for Maximum Entertainment, in fact I am about to read it again on my upcoming 8 hour flight since I have had so much new experience this past year. Certainly a must have!
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mental4u New user 80 Posts |
It is the book I carry with me on the airplane. I can re-read it several times a year, it is that type of book. Lots of practical information, -0- tricks. Highly recommended.
Gregg Lancaster Mental Masterpieces College Station, Texas |
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
It was ordered several days ago from L&L. I am looking forward to it!
David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
I have tried to like this book but cannot quite manage it. And I have no idea why I don't like it. So I cannot put up a very good argument against it. I think it is more of a gut feeling than anything else.
What the author seems to say I cannot really fault. I just don't know what my problem is. I wish someone could tell me. Perhaps there is something in the author's tone of smug self satisfaction and obvious love of himself that bothers me. I wish I knew what turns me off the book even though the information seems sound. One thing I really do take exception to is the naming of eminent people in magic and openly criticising them without their permission. That should never be done in a magic book. It is terribly disrespectful and Mr Weber would not like it if it happened to him. I am not a fan myself of some of the people he criticises but this is something for private conversation. Putting something like that in a book leaves a bad taste in my mouth. |
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Sock Puppet Monkey Loyal user 235 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-15 21:01, Mark Lewis wrote: So it's okay to criticize people on the Magic Café but not in a magic book. Shouldn't both be considered "disrespectful"? Or what about having a private conversation when one has a dispute such as yours with Richard Kaufman? I'm really confused by this post of yours Mr. Lewis as this is something that your posts at the Café are riddled with. Seems a tad hypocritical don't you think? SPM |
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Mike Ince Inner circle 2041 Posts |
If I were someone Mr. Weber critiqued in his book, I'd pay attention to what he said.
Magic "superstars" are open to public criticism, their products open to harsh reviews, and their performances are certainly open to critique. I found it refreshing to hear an honest voice holding performing pros to a higher standard. As John Carney said, "Good enough" is the mantra of the mediocre. Read some of the mean-spirited comments on this site and compare them to Ken Weber's criticisms (which I felt were constructive) from Maximum Entertainment. Weber is a gentleman even when he's being blunt. After dealing with trolls here, I welcome honest and constructive (if not a little harsh) criticism. But Ken Weber wasn't harsh. Only my opinion.
The secret of deception is in making the truth seem ridiculous.
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Ony Carcamo Special user Manila, PHILIPPINES 608 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-15 21:01, Mark Lewis wrote: You mean we always need to ask permission from people before we express our opinion/criticism on them in a publication? |
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*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
Yes. You do. Criticising someone on a magic forum has a lot less permanancy that it does in a book. And a lot more importance is attached to it. Furthermore criticisms on a magic forum are usually in a setting where the other person can defend himself. And the criticism is often in a scenario where an argument is in operation. In fact I am quite consistent here. I have already expressed my disapproval of a video put up by a young man who does not know any better criticising a fellow performer for his own entertainment. The performer did not ask for the criticism and I did not approve of it.
There is utterly no need to name names in a permanent record such as a book. It is disrespectul and shows the enormous ego of the author and it taints the book. By all means describe the person but do not use his name. I am not a particular fan of Max Maven but I thought it was quite disgraceful for Mr Weber to berate him publicly in his book with a little measure of faint praise to justify it. It is unethical and mean spirited to do it and the criticism isn't necessarily correct. It is obvious that I love myself very much indeed but you will find no trace of it in my books. Mr Weber also loves himself and isn't tongue in cheek about it. There is a constant strain of smugness throughout his work which affects his message. He keeps yapping about showing his humanity to an audience yet he insists on exhibiting his lack of humanity to his readers by criticising perfomers by name and without their consent. I consider that to be the epitome of rudeness. I understand Mr Weber is no longer a professional magician. Perhaps that is why he feels free to criticise those who still are. I have been told that he isn't much good himself from someone who saw him work. However, I will take that with a pinch of salt and even if it is true I will put it down to the fact that he is probably a bit rusty from being away from the stage too long. Now if someone is performing in a specific venue criticism in a review situation is perfectly permissible. But NOT in a non-performing situation in a hard backed cover book. I am sorry. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth and no doubt has tainted the book for me so that I can hardly bear reading it. Besides I suspect a lot of what he says is wrong anyway. I can't say for sure because I cannot read the book without wincing at the self love which runs throughout. |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Mark-
I'm afraid you've got Ken Weber all wrong. He was never a professional magician. He was a professional hypnotist and received many awards for the high quality programs he presented for colleges and corporate events. Additionally, he was the first performer to be named "Entertainer of the Year" by the Playboy Club. He was, and is, very very good at what he does. I have no idea what you mean by the "self love" that you say permeates the book, nor do I see anything in it that is derogatory in any way. Ken is a great gentleman and has done the art a great favor by writing MAXIMUM ENTERTAINMENT. As I noted in an earlier post, Ken was the first "director" I ever had and the advice he gave me way back in the late 70's was critical in my own development as an entertainer. I will always be grateful for that. Good thoughts, Bob |
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*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
Fine Bob. I respect your opinion. I was merely giving mine. And I did mean to say "hypnotist and mentalist" rather than "magician". Mea Culpa.
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Looch Inner circle Off by 3361 Posts |
Ken Weber is one of the friendliest and grounded people Ive met. He was asked, IIRC to openly critique members of the PEA's shows and performances at one of the infamous MOM's... This I believe is where the inspiration for the book came.
Mentalism Products: https://www.readmymind.co.uk/ Learn Mentalism with the Pro's: https://www.mymind.rocks
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