Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Hearts Breaking Even By Bon Jovi

The title of this book says it all . . . or should I say the Subtitle of this book says it all, 'Creating Magic Out of Tricks.' In a world full of YouTube magicians who have never seen a real magician perform, this book is a much needed tool in the proverbial magic toolbox. It's also, unfortunately, the most commonly overlooked aspect of magic, and the aspect most people just plain think they don't need.

The bottom line is this: if you plan on ever showing any 'magic trick' to anyone ever at any point in your life, get this book. This is not a book of tricks. It's a book of magic . . . magical presentations. All too often we perform magic with no frame of reference or meaning. Sometimes it's not easy to find meaning. In fact, Dr. Hass found meaning in places that I never thought meaning could be found.

In this 175 page book, you'll find 7 essays about presentation as well as 11 effects all of which are a huge lesson in presentation. Each effect begins with a brief intro to the effect that I found, in almost every case, to be very interesting and thought-provoking. Following the introduction you will be treated to the performance script with brief notations about what the performer might be doing at key moments in the script.

Following the performance is a complete breakdown of the script, the effect and the method and how they all tie together. Forget about the fact that you are being handed on a silver platter some brilliant ideas for performing for just a moment and consider this: You are taught what I believe to be one of the greatest effects in all of magic, Fading Coin by Tomoyuki Takahashi. Add to that not only Larry's presentation, but also Eugene Burger's . . . this is almost worth the cost of the book alone.

Additionally, you learn Paul Harris's Ultimate Rip-off. For those of you who've not heard of this (both of you), this is another piece that is just a killer effect . . . plus Larry's presentation!

How 'bout John Bannon's Play it Straight Triumph (a.k.a. The Bannon Triumph) . . . one of the best versions of Triumph ever devised. And again . . . Larry's presentation.

There is so much more . . . the essays . . . if you read those essays and aren't inspired or 'thought-provoked' you're need to change your diet, 'cause something ain't right.

The intent is not to have you become a clone of Larry or Eugene, et al. The point is to be inspired to create your own presentations. Between reading the examples from Larry's repertoire and the essays, there is something for just about everyone in here.

The product is well produced; the content is extremely well written; the subject matter is superb;

Final Verdict:
4.5 stars with a Stone Status of Absolute GEM!

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