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wilko7 Regular user UK 135 Posts |
Hello all. The creative, brilliant Ben Blau has a new book due out soon. For those unfamiliar with Bens work he bought us HOTOAC and polygraph via the Ben Blau project DVD in 2014 and is now back with this new release in the format of a written physical book.
The book, titled ASYMPTOTES - sound thinking on mentalism with playing cards is right at the top of my list of books to buy and I'm really excited to see Bens work within. I am a big admirer of Bens work. His thinking is very through and if the descriptions in the book are as thoughtful as they were in the previous DVD I am sure it will make a great read. I have been fortunate enough to have seen Ben perform 2 effects from the book and I was really impressed with them both. If you liked HOTOAC or polygraph, expect more of the same great thinking. I'm not sure exactly when it will be ready for release but I think we are in for a treat. For those unfamiliar with his work, search HOTOAC or polygraph to see a sample of what Ben is all about. Great thinking, clever layering and hard hitting Mentalism with cards. Keep your eyes peeled for the release date. |
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RSchlutz V.I.P. 512 Posts |
Very excited! Was lucky enough to friend Ben last year and his attention to detail has captured my attention!
Ryan |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
Murphy's will be taking preorders for this book within the next week or two. The book is around 360 pages, hardcover, with dust jacket.
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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Maxyedid Special user Panama 843 Posts |
What's the price?
NEW BOOK! "Semi-Automatic Miracles" - INSTANT Best-Seller at Lybrary.com
https://www.lybrary.com/semiautomatic-card-miracles-p-925333.html chaos handlings, out of hands effects, and more |
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Amirá Inner circle MentalismCenter.com 5131 Posts |
Ben´s new book will introduce you to an interesting place, in which intelligent classic methods are layered in a exquisite manner to let you perform amazing card mentalism for your audiences, with premises that allows the audience to experience moments of deep mystery, far beyond "tricks". Achieving simplicity is not easy (ask Bach in your next seance). The handlings are so well pruned, that they are simple, showing you only the necessary moves and techniques.
Ben is my friend , but this means nothing regarding my opinion. The material is excellent, well thought and structured.
Pablo
Performer and Author Mentalism Center: The best online space to get quality Mentalism www.mentalismcenter.com Arkanosophy: The Boutique for Mystery Performers www.arkanosophy.com |
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tincture Special user 587 Posts |
This is great news!
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 16, 2016, Maxyedid wrote: I'm not 100% sure, but I think it will be roughly $80.00 USD. I also want to mention the wonderful cover and dust jacket artwork of the incredible Martin Korstanje, and brilliant photography and editing by Thomas Baxter. Here is a sample of one routine from the book. This is a "Tocaton" ("thought-of card at thought-of number) type of routine. It is completely impromptu, and can use any deck of cards. This is not a professionally shot performance -- it's just me running through the routine with imaginary participants. But if you like the Tocaton genre, this is one you can do any time a deck of cards is handy. It's called "Ishin-Denshin", and is in the book. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9t_i1......DUlR6WFU We have received lots of very nice comments from a select few individuals who have read preview copies of the book. Here's what Sean Waters had to say about ASYMPTOTES: "With mind of a philosopher, the precision of a surgeon and the lyrical genius of a poet, Ben Blau crafts brilliant mental masterpieces that you will cherish like a classic. He is like Charles Dickens, but with cards (and much more clever). For close-up mental workers, this will only be the best of times." Sean Waters -Ben
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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Waters. Special user 703 Posts |
I did indeed write that and I will also state here that Ben creates wonderful mental effects with cards and this work is a stout tome full of them. This is going to be a very large book, based upon the early look I had. Ben truly has a gifted mind for subtle and diabolical work that is reminiscent of greats like Stewart James and Eddie Fields. This is high praise. If you choose (and you should) to avail yourself, you will be richly rewarded with great card work. When is this book shipping?
Regards, Sean |
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mattH Veteran user 324 Posts |
Hi Ben, can I ask when? And if it's ok, will it be in th UK?
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 17, 2016, mattH wrote: We are still awaiting the foreword (which is being written by someone VERY special). That should be in place by next week. Then, as far as I know, it will take a few weeks to get the first order manufactured and shipped to Murphy's. Whether you decide to purchase it from Murphy's, your local magic shop, or directly from me, I'm sure it will be available in the U.K. Thanks so much for your interest! -Ben
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 16, 2016, Ben Blau wrote: Nice little routine. |
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yachanin Inner circle Cleveland, OH 2105 Posts |
Hi All,
I was one of the fortunates to have had the opportunity to read a preview copy of "Asymptotes" and I can wholeheartedly concur with Sean's comments (although I could not say it as eloquently as did he). Ben has the ability to give a unique twist on old methods (and he's included some original ideas as well), combining them in such a way that everything you do is justified and everything seems absolutely fair. Your volunteers and audiences will not be able to resist asking for more. This is a wonderful collection of mentalism routines that will make you smile as well, when you see the reactions they produce. I have performed one of the routines many times, resulting in looks of utter astonishment on the faces of my volunteers (I don't want to let anything out prematurely, so I'll not say which routine at this time). Should you get this? Oh yeah. Regards, Steve
"Impossible? Your audience will think so..." TM
Thought Association Card Triangulation Word Search Detective Christmas Eve Sights - Start A Family Tradition |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 17, 2016, John C wrote: Thanks, John! I absolutely love performing this one. It's very easy, and totally impromptu!
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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Atlas Inner circle 3103 1277 Posts |
I've always been impressed by Ben's ideas and am eager to see the finished product. For years now, Ben has emailed me ideas and videos and I can honestly say that there has been something in each and every one of them that has made me pause and think, "That's pretty clever."
I have also noticed that he really cares what a routine looks like for his audience and I think this book could be something special. Best, Atlas |
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Patrick Redford Inner circle Michigan 1751 Posts |
This book is really something special. I've been wanting Ben to release a book as long as we've known each other. I'm so happy it's finally happening!
Ben's book is worth reading just to get a peek into the way Ben approaches the construction and execution of an effect. He trades sleights for invisible beautiful subtlety. Asymptotes is, without a doubt, an instant classic. |
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loeld Loyal user 254 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 16, 2016, Ben Blau wrote: Hi Ben! We don´t know each other, but we have mutuals friends if I look at your testimonials: I am a pro mentalist and when I look at the video I am sorry to say that you lost me after 2 min. I know it is not a live performance, but in my world it is much to complicated. I can´t imagine where I could perform a routine like that. I think that this is a routine that you show some friends or maybe in a situation where you know that you have an audience that can appreciate this kind of routine. I don´t say that it is bad, but I can not use it in the real world. I think though that I hope that you have many ideas in your book that can have a great value for me. Good luck with the sale. My two cents /lp loeld |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 21, 2016, loeld wrote: Thanks for your comments. One thing that is made clear at the beginning of the book is that all of the routines require a quality of attention that is often absent in "professional" performances. These routines are meant to thrive in informal, social contexts. That is my primary venue. Here is an excerpt from the foreword (written by Max Maven) which illustrates this point: "This is smart material, for smart people. The people to whom I refer are the members of the audiences who will experience these routines. No stunts or quickie s will be found here; these creations are not suitable for a noisy bar environment. Mind you, I’m not suggesting that the appropriate milieu must be a somber classroom. Far from it: These presentations often veer into whimsicality. But they will thrive best for observers who are alert enough to appreciate the conditions set out in each composition, for Ben has achieved levels of methodological depth that will deceive even well informed spectators—and that includes magicians who haven’t read this."
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
I'm going to ask a question about that demo that'll sound very awkward, its not meant to be though..just genuinely interested...
you start off with explaining what ishin-denshin is, which is a lovely concept, then you shift to 'seeing through my eyes'... I don't get the connection between that opening gambit and the actual routine...this might well be my fault entirely...probably is... its starts off about: ishin-denshin - "Ishin-denshin is a Japanese idiom which denotes a form of interpersonal communication through unspoken mutual understanding" then its about seeing through your eyes so I don't really see the connection (pardon the pun)
I've asked to be banned
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Daren Inner circle 2051 Posts |
Is there a table of contents available anywhere or maybe list a few of the routines within the pages?
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
There is a table of contents, but I have no idea how to post it here. I'll try to take some screenshots, and post links to them.
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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