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The Effect

The Osterlind Trilogy - By Richard Osterlind

Not really an effect - instead it brings together three previously released e-books into one volume.

They are:

Making Magic Real
Making Real Magic
Essays


Cost

£24.99 - I got it from MAGICmagic, but seems to be available from a few places if you search about.

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

2 - No sleights.

There are only 2 routines in the whole book so I would say no sleights - but the book in general isn't really aimed at a beginner.



Review

"What they say"
Three acclaimed books now together in one deluxe volume!

Thousands have read Richard Osterlind's e-books Making Magic Real, Making Real Magic and Essays and many have reported that the way they approached their magic—and even their lives—was changed forever.

Now, for the first time, these three ground-breaking books have been assembled into one beautifully-bound softcover volume that can change your life and magic.

You’ll find the secrets to what really makes magic not only memorable but relevant to today's sophisticated audiences. In a recent survey, Richard Osterlind was named the most influential mentalist of all time and in these pages, you’ll discover the exact methods that have made him one of the world’s most successful mystery entertainers.

Also included are three powerful effects, including the original Osterlind Design Duplication System, Osterlind’s Amazing Memory Demonstration and a wonderful handling for the classic Haunted Key.

If you’re ready to take your magic and mentalism to the next level, The Osterlind Trilogy is now ready to help you there.

Pages 148 - Paperback


What I say:

I guess before I review something it's worth mentioning where I'm coming from in terms of my approach to magic/mentalism. I started out with a keen interest in card magic a couple of years ago and have been reading through Card College, royal road etc. After a few performances (nothing major) I decided that a more mentalist attitude to what I do suited me and my personality better. At the same time I'm also still looking at doing some card routines so without getting into the old magic or mentalist debate I'd guess you'd say I'm aiming towards a mixed approach - 'magic-alism' you might say:-)

Anyway, I'm reading through the basics (13 steps & PMM) and I wanted something that addressed more the performance and approach to mentalism. As I seem to know spend half my day perusing the ineternet for magical paraphenalia that I can buy it wasn't long before I came across Richard Osterlind.

As mentioned above this is a combination of 3 different e-books previously released individually. I found the book in general a fairly quick and easy read but this was more down to the easy writing style of Richard Osterlind than anything else. Even from my point of view (as a relative beginner) I found the book extremely interesting and a huge treasure chest of valuable information into how to approach mentalism in general. The book is essentially challenging your approach to magic and offering up several hypothesis that will certainly make you sit down and think about how and why you present in a certain way. There are two chapters that particulary jump out at me as being worth the cover price alone - Mental State of Mind & The Magician in the Physical World. neither provide that killer routine - rather they give you a couple of methods on how to present and prepare for your magic - even if they are not for you, there is certainly food for thought.

There are two routines in the book - one of which is almost directly from 13 Steps - but even bearing that in mind it is still fascinating to see Richard Osterlinds interpretation of it.

Overall a really interesting book that not only makes you stop and think but also gives you some excellent tools to help improve your performance.


Overall

10/10

Seems great. I probably wouldn't get much use out of it, but others probably could, am I right? Is there any change at all from the original e-books? (I like asking questions.)

I don't think there is any change from the original e-books but I couldn't be 100% sure on that (so not very helpful there to be honest!).