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Socrates Regular user 197 Posts |
Hi Harry!
Firstly, I'd just like to say thanks for writing the 'Magic Book' as it's a brilliant read and it was also the one that got me started out on the correct path in the art of magic. This book advocates the art of impromptu magic and I wondered has your philosophy of magic and it's performance changed since writing this book? And secondly, who were you influences in the art of magic and how do you feel the modern day performers compare to them? I look forward to reading your replies. Yours magically Socrates 'We are born unarmed, our mind is our only weapon' - Ayn Rand |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
The Magic Book may have been written for the beginner (which I have been for over forty years of magic). However, a real killer I learned from it twenty-five years ago, I still use regularly on Ph.D. audiences is the Line O' Type. It is just too simple to set up for the great impact it delivers. Ph.D.s always check the scissors. It reminds me of the puppy that looks at the end of your finger instead of where you are pointing.
It is a great book loaded with great magic. It is loaded with magic a beginner can do. However, it is really pro level magic. Great work! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Hi Socrates: I'm assuming you've also read at least one of my books on memory, because I used the Ayn Rand quote in a couple of them.
No, my philosophy of magic and its performance hasn't changed at all since writing THE MAGIC BOOK which, incidentally, I wrote for the "public" because I HAD to - it's a long, uninteresting, story. As I say to the many magicians who talk to me about THE MAGIC BOOK - I'm assuming you went on from there with other, more advanced, books of mine. Difficult for me to answer your other questions. I met only one magician when I was a boy. He was strictly a stage magician, no sleight of hand at all. He had me do appearances with him - I was 12 years old. I did a billiard ball routine; I made the balls out of ping-pong balls; my hands were too small for real billiard balls. I learned how to face an audience then. I didn't meet any "real" magicians until after I got out of the army. I was a very naive kid, didn't know about magic shops. But - years went by and among my friends were Dai (pronounced to rhyme with "day" here on the east coast, not "dye") Vernon, Dick Cardini, John Scarne (I used to carry his briefcase!), Dick Himber, Jack Miller, Mohammed Bey, Bill Simon, Ed Balducci, Jacob Daley, and etc. I don't, personally, know any current performers who compare to some of the above. Not in the impromptu, sleight of hand, particularly card, area. HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Bob: Many magicians were mad at me when THE MAGIC BOOK came out. They thought I was giving away too much good stuff. Of course many more raved about it. So it goes. Sure glad you liked it. HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Socrates Regular user 197 Posts |
Thanks for the great reply Harry!
Like yourself I feel magic should be done impromptu using your own skills with regular cards and everyday items, not gimmicks. You're an inspiration to many as you are well aware and I wish you all the best for the future. Thanks once again for answering my questions and until the next time so long. Socrates 'The focused mind can pierce through stone' - Japanese Proverb |
JoeHohman Special user Erie 706 Posts |
Dear Mr. Lorayne,
This may be my only chance to get on here this week, so I'll at least get this post out -- thanks so much for "The Magic Book." As Bob mentioned, it may be a "beginner" book, but WHAT a beginner book. Aside from all the great routines, what I really enjoyed about it were the charming little stories from your childhood, as well as your afterthoughts on how to improve the tricks, present them differently, etc. Truly one of my favorites, and a big influence on me. Sincerely, Joe Hohman |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Hi Joe: Glad I was able to make an impact. That's the point, isn't it? That's one of the reasons I write books. Frankly, I can't really think of ALL the reasons, but that's certainly one of them. Glad to hear that you're so busy that this was the only chance for you to be here this week. Busy is good. So I guess you won't see my answer, not that it's something to carve in granite, but I do want you to know that I've answered you. Perhaps one of your friends will let you know. Best --- HARRY. (PS: Just curious - so many posts re: THE MAGIC BOOK, and that's nice. But, have most people into close-up stopped there? What a shame, if that's so. I've written other books for you, guys!)
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
JoeHohman Special user Erie 706 Posts |
Dear Mr. Lorayne,
Yes, my wife got me Close-Up Card Magic for Christmas. But I had to have her put it away (that is, hide it), as it was interfering with my studying for a work-related exam... I'll be poring through it again after the exam... But on another thought; the thing about The Magic Book that was so great was that if you mastered every trick in that book, just in that one book, you would be a darn fine magician! Thanks for responding, Harry, and thanks for contributing so much to our fraternity. |
Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5203 Posts |
Hi Harry!
Im a magician from sweden. I really like your works, you are a living legend here in sweden. One of my first magic books was The Magic Book translated to swedish by the publisher Spektra, 1980. I can still recall when my young mind absorbed the magic within the pages the year 1981, it was very fun to enter your world of magic I still use some of the effects from the book. It was an exotic feeling to read/enter a magic book from America. Today I have several of your books in my library... Will you ever perform in europe in the future? Mats G. Kjellstrom http://www.mastermagic.info |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Hello Joe: Thank you. Yes, people have told me that they create complete close-up acts from one or another of my books. Not long ago, one guy (he's a worker in restaurants and hospitality suites) told me that he's put together TWELVE complete close-up card acts from stuff only out of PERSONAL COLLECTION. (I told that to a magic friend, and he said - why only 12; I can do at least 15 or 16.) HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Mats: It feels good to be a "living legend." Yes, THE MAGIC BOOK was published in Swedish through Ake Holberg (sp?); I think he's left us. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. (I remember sending a copy [Swedish] to Lennart Green. He had followed me around to each and every one of my lectures - from Stockholm, to Copenhagen, to Oslo, to Bergen, etc. He paid closest attention to my THE GREAT DIVIDE, which I performed and sold at every lecture in those days.) Can't say when I'll be performing (magic) in Europe. I "did" most of the Scandinavian countries many years ago, as just mentioned. I remember Ake taking us (my wife and son and me) to a great sort-of underground cave restaurant in the old part of Stockholm. Ake suggested reindeer. My son was a little boy. He turned to me and whispered, "I hope this isn't Rudolph!) Nice to hear from you. HARRY L.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5203 Posts |
Nice to have contact with a magic legend
I have seen Mr Ake Hallberg almost every year at swedens biggest magic convention: Magic Weekend in Lund. Ake Hallbergs web: http://www.spektrastudio.se/ E-Mail: info@spektrastudio.se Mats |
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
I have to add my name to the list of people who own and cherish The Magic Book.
Yes it's simple items, but with effects like This guy and the drinker, King of The card sharps, and Ultra Location and Prediction, well, you just gotta love this book! Harry, I wouldn't sell my copy for any amount of money! This book is a treasure!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Daffydoug: Thanks for saying so. HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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