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Tyler_Magician Special user 509 Posts |
This summer I am going to a few different places around the US and world. Anyway, I will be in cars, buses, and planes all throughout the summer. I was looking around for some books. I want some kind of book to read as I travel. I am not looking for a book on how to do tricks, but more of theories and presentation. Does anyone have any ideas on book or maybe something else that could keep me occupied over the summer?
Thanks, Tyler |
scott b. Special user 732 Posts |
Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber
Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz Magic and Meaning by Eugene Burger and Robert E. Neale Absolute Magic by Derren Brown The Destiny Response by Richard Busch And maybe some Wonder Words on an Mp3 player or CD player?
Thanks! Scott B.
"I don't know the key to success . . . but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby |
Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
Tyler,
Scott offers some good suggestions. I might add: Mastering the Art of Magic by Eugene Burger Close-up Presentation by John Mendoza (OOP and very hard to find, however) Magic and Shomanship by Henning Nelms (Dover edition) Our Magic by David Devant and Nevil Maskelyne (or Part 1 of this book ("The Art in Magic") which was released in a Dover edition as Maskelne on the Performance of Magic by Nevil Maskelyne The Experience of Magic by Eugene Burger That said, since you are going to be traveling, I stick to the above Dover editions (and other similar sized soft cover books). They are smaller in dimension, easier to pack and carry, and, if lost or damaged, they are easily replaced. I'd also suggest getting a bunch of other Dover edition books (like the "King of the Conjurers" book (on Robert Houdin). Another thought might be to get some of the classic books on acting, such as: Improv-Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone An Actor Prepares by Constantine Stanislavski Building a Charater by Constantine Stanislavski Creating a Role by Constantine Stanislavski Sanford Meisner on Acting by Sanford Meisner These are excellent books and can help you as you attempt learn acting skills that can be used by you as a magician in performances. These are difficult books to grasp if you have no acting experience. Its kind of the "sink or swim" method. Just jump in to the pool. At first, you struggle to keep your head above water. But, if you keep with it, you'll begin to dog-paddle and soon you'll be able to do some tentative swimming strokes. In discussing creativity and spontaneity and why most adults seem to lack both, Johnstone (in his "Improv" book) stated: "Many teachers think of children as immature adults. It might lead to better and more "respectful" teaching, if we thought of adults as atophied children. Many "well adjusted" adults are bitter, uncreative, frightened, unimaginative, and rather hostile people. Instead of assuming they were born that way, or that that's what being an adult entails, we might consider them as people damaged by their education and upbringing." (Emphasis supplied) As I read and re-read that paragraph, it helped me to begin to understand and to appreciate why we struggle to be creative and to come up with our own innovative and original routines. Lots of good thought-provoking material in all of these acting books. Well worth the effort in your professional development quest. (IMHO). Mike
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
ClouDsss Inner circle 1799 Posts |
Richard Osterlind - Real Magic
Steve Banachek - Psychological Subtuties TA Waters - Mind Myth and Magick Derren Brown - Absolute Magic cheerios
Think outside the box, cos people are all thinking inside now!! - ClouDsss
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Cardguy52 Loyal user 246 Posts |
Shattering Illusions by Jamy Ian Swiss
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Nir Dahan Inner circle Munich, Germany 1390 Posts |
I would actually advise you to get a tome about how to make tricks.
since you will travel the world, you will meet many different people and you could experience a lot of different reactions. all the above books are really excellent, but they wont make their impact when reading them on a travel. for example, you can read about the excellent advice Ken Weber gives in his books about lighting and sound in the middle of a hike in the middle of nowhere but I suspect it wont sink in. I would recommend to take a book like Mind Myth and Magic by T.A. Waters. or 13 steps to mentalism by corinda. if you are a tech guy, you can buy some magazines in electronic form, like pentagram, jinx, pabular etc and print a few pages each time you visit an internet Café. that is just my opinion Nir p.s. I did a trip just like that for 8 months with only a backpack (which had some magic books) and I really wish I had corinda... |
Mark Rough Inner circle Ivy, Virginia 2110 Posts |
These are all great recommendations. I'll add two that I've been reading on and off for the last year or so. John Carney's Book of Secrets. Yes, it has tricks, but it's the theory and thinking that I keep going back to. Also, whether you're into busking or not, Eric E.'s and Nowlin C.'s Secret Art of Magic. I'm on my fourth time through this and I still get more each time. Either of these, or both, will more than occupy any free time you have this summer.
Mark
What would Wavy do?
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George Bleeks New user Belfast, Northern Ireland 94 Posts |
What about novels with a magical theme? - e.g. Carter the Great or 52 Ways to Magic America - or something historical like Jim Steinmeyer's excellent Hiding the Elephant?
George Bleeks
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
You might find "Small But Deadly" the packet trick book a fun read as it works on different levels, part history,part tricks, part reference, in fact it's just a fun read. However, there have been some great books recommended, but too much of the same might be too heavy. As George suggested, the odd magical novel might be worth including too, in the books you take. Another consideration might be size and weight! lol.
Have a great trip. Paul. |
tuffnavyrn Inner circle San Diego, CA 1238 Posts |
I would take Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz and Shattering Illusions by Jamy Ian Swiss. There's enough info in there to keep your wheels turning for quite some time.
Brian-
"That smart thing that somebody else said". |
Tyler_Magician Special user 509 Posts |
Wow, thanks for all of the great books. Now it's time to sort through them. If you know of any more, please list them.
-Tyler |
calexa Inner circle Germany 1635 Posts |
Hiding the Elephant - just for a little bit of history
Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
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Dan Magyari Regular user San Francisco, CA 173 Posts |
You have a lifetime of terrific suggestions already, but I'll add one more - my favorite of the bunch. That is "The Magic of Ascanio". One other suggestion, don't read too many of these at one time - you have to have time to distill them - apply them to your work. Have a great trip.
Everything you do -- everything -- has your signature on it. Regardless of whether you intend it that way or not. And that's how people perceive you.-George Ledo
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jrandcc Regular user New York 141 Posts |
Another vote for the Magic of Ascanio. If you can track down a copy for $60, the magic of ascanion is supposed to be(and probably is) one of the best books on theory of magic ever written. Strong magic, shattering illusions and others are great, but finally the magic of Ascanio is being printed in english, and is the best.
I know that the book was compiled of I think 5 lectures on misdirection, and other things. Each one of which was its own lecture, given by Ascanio. that's my suggestion. Spend the $60 and get the Ascanio, I think you can purchase it through H&R. good luck Josh |
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