talkmagic.co.uk

This is a first glance review.
Yesterday I arrived home to find in my post-box, a book I had ordered through Amazon. Its title, Hiding the Elephant.

I knew it would be a good read, because it's written by magical genius Jim Steinmeyer, The man behind so many of the impossible effects we see on television, and on stages all around the world. What I wasn't prepared for, was upon opening, finding it to be one of the greatest magical history books ever written.

Its basic premise, is to give the reader an insight to the goings on behind some of the greatest Illusions and illusionists. Think of a name, and it will be there. Not just modern day wonderworkers, but truly great names from the past.

for me, the highlight so far in what has been just a casual glance, is the history behind Jim's re creation of morrits vanishing donkey.The secret had been lost for 70 years, and had to be pieced together using almost Sherlock holmesian logic .
the result, something that truly mystifies.

I cant wait to get home, and settle into my arm chair tonight, and wallow in stories about Paul Valladon, and the princess of Karnack illusion, Houdini and his elephant, Devant, Maskelyne, Cooke, Selbitt, Goldin, and ....the list goes on, and on.

I no doubt will add to this review, when I get a chance to put the book down.

the book, is available from amazon.co.uk, for about £15.00.next day delivery...
Enjoy!!
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Sounds interesting, this goes on my Christmas list.

S

Thanks for that Dale.

I love books like that, I just can't seem to get enough liteature these days to satisfy my hunger for all things magic.

Personally I find it just as fascinating to read books with a more historical/reference aspect as I do books on tricks and technique and in fact I even find myself reading novels with a magic theme. ("Carter the Great" is a good example).

Anyway I look forward to any additions you may make to the review - and will consider this for my Christmas pressie list.

here is the link...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 11-6038802

Excellent coz that's what my wife just asked for. You must be "Physic"!!!!!!!

i knew you'd say that.

Well I finally got around to purchasing "mysterious stranger" since it was only £3.99. To me more precise one of my Kids bought it for me as an early Christmas present

Anyhow, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, if you haven't got it, I'd say with Christmas coming up, it's a must buy, much better than a couple of pairs of socks.

Have you found the treasure yet?

yea but don't tell anyone, I don't want to spoil their fun looking.

I very much like the sound of the 'Hiding the Elephant' book - so much so, it's in my Amazon shopping basket.

Many thanks for the informative posting...

Share and share alike!

Santa was very good to me and brought me this book (after a lot of hint dropping!) and I'm steadily working through it at the moment. The wealth of information and detail is excellent and it's a well written book.

As suspected, Houdini really wasn't a very nice guy and probably was a less than average Magician but the 'revelations' about the Maskelyne family are eye opening. I had the impression they were the epitome of style and brilliance in British Magic history and now find they were miserable beggars some of the time just like the rest of us. David Devant doesn't come out too badly but, again, had his bad side.

I haven't finished the book yet and I'm dreading the time when I turn the last page - with all the behind the scenes information I'll probably find that Sooty wasn't real either.

Indeed, this is a truly marvellous book. Had it since the start of Dec, and not really even skimmed the surface - just glanced through.

Like it. A lot.

And like Mandrake, I've avoided the 'final reveal' until I've read the lot in all it's awe, and will finally find out that Nostradamus predicted the second coming of a messiah arriving in a perspex box in the Capital City of England...

Cant belive it, its out of stock. Tried all the other book sellers..bummer!! Has someone here bought all of the uk supply of hiding the elephant!!
The question is, do i order it from the US and wait 4 weeks or do i hope that it comes in stock in the UK un the next week. I hate the wait!

Depends on the relative costs but it's worth waiting for if you have to. Have just reached the end of the book and will now go back and start again - there's a wealth of information in there and it needs an immediate second reading IMHO. Just to the whet the appetite, despite the title (the secret of which is explained eventually), it's also to do with the re-discovery of the Disappearing Donkey effect. I found it all to be thoroughly enjoyable so I'm verry happy with Santa!

Just arrived today. Wehey!!!