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Magic Matters by Robert E. Neale Reviewed

Nearly 50 effects, 281 pages and $40 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect/Method

Only in the house of Bob Neale can we find subjects like waterboarding, force-feeding sacramental wafers to hand-puppets and buffalo poop under the same roof. Yet at the same time this home/book covers subjects such as love and the beauty of magical gifts. Yet The Holocaust, the death of innocent women under the guise of witch hunting and other dark themes are explored. Yet, mother, teddy bears and fables are also examined.

It's no wonder that I feel conflicted when completing any given Bob Neale book. I feel happiness and sorrow simultaneously. I feel love and anger together. I feel giddy and offended all at once. It is a wonder how he can do it over and over again. Regardless of how I feel when I'm done reading, I always have been enlightened, encouraged and energized. All of the effects start with an intriguing premise, a premise that will capture your audience's (and your) imagination. Of the nearly 50 effects, I'm sure you'll find plenty you'll hate and plenty you'll love. That aside, you'll learn, by example, what an effect should be like.

The methods are simple and within the grasp of just about any skill level. In addition to roughly four dozen effects, you also receive nearly a dozen eye and mind opening essays that will twist you, thrill you, jab you, move you and improve you.

Ad Copy Integrity

In the ad copy, there is a quote from Max Maven:

"If this book doesn't tickle you, you're not feeling.

If this book doesn't annoy you, you're not thinking.

If this book doesn't inspire you, you're not breathing."

I can't think of a more perfect way to describe this book. I've said this of other Bob Neale books, "If this book doesn't move you, you're dead." A+ on the ad copy.

Product Quality

The book is extremely well produced. It's hardbound and sturdy with thick paper that will stand up to Father Time with no problem. Though the essays were deep and required multiple readings to fully absorb, they were well written, and the effects were well taught with plenty of illustrations and solid instructions. And of course, let's not forget that ever-inspiring bibliography at the end of the book — typical Bob Neale.

Final Thoughts

The title of this book says it all. In a world of meaningless droning on . . . er . . . um . . . I mean . . . patter . . .  it's about time someone published a book like this. You don't have to like any of the effects, messages, essays, methods, etc. in this book to learn from this. Too often, magic is looked down upon and mocked and misused and abused by lay people and (so called) magicians.

Through the essays and effects found in this book, through the vast expanse and broad range of subjects from the juvenile to the divine, the beautiful to the truly dark, Bob has successfully taken on the task of proving that Magic Matters.

Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM.

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