Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

Review area devoted to Magic books, leaflets and other printed material

Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

Manufacturer of modern & unique magic apparatus! World-Of-Magic, Suppliers of quality Magic Worldwide Aeternum Servare Secreta Best prices around! Web Design for Magicians Sorcery Shop - Home of the ITR

Postby Jean » Jan 29th, '09, 23:51



It seems my list of 'need to buy' items always grow when I have promised not to spend any more for a few months.
Moving to the top of the list.

Invoke not reason. In the end it is too small a deity.
User avatar
Jean
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1561
Joined: Sep 8th, '08, 01:15

Postby Jason_T » Jan 30th, '09, 12:07

Point taken, he clearly seems to have some friend/fans here.

I ordered the book this morning - best to form my opinions based on what I read.

Jason_T
Junior Member
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 27th, '09, 12:52

Postby RobMagic » Jan 30th, '09, 12:26

It's a great book and I believe highly recommended by the Mystery School for its pupils.

The information is like a gold mine but there are errors and its written in a way that anyone could pick it up and understand (probably a great thing)

There are two copies in household

User avatar
RobMagic
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1445
Joined: Apr 13th, '07, 10:55
Location: Manchester (32:SH)

Postby Jason_T » Jan 30th, '09, 12:27

Agecroft wrote:It's a great book and I believe highly recommended by the Mystery School for its pupils.

The information is like a gold mine but there are errors and its written in a way that anyone could pick it up and understand (probably a great thing)

There are two copies in household



What errors? I am feeling buyers remorse now.

Jason_T
Junior Member
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 27th, '09, 12:52

Postby RobMagic » Jan 30th, '09, 12:29

no no nothing major and most people will miss it (grammar mainly).

Like I say there are two copies in my household such is the value of the intformation in the book.

It's certainly worth a read and gets you thinking, In fact I think I'll read it again starting this weekend.

User avatar
RobMagic
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1445
Joined: Apr 13th, '07, 10:55
Location: Manchester (32:SH)

Postby Jason_T » Jan 30th, '09, 12:35

Agecroft wrote:no no nothing major and most people will miss it (grammar mainly).

Like I say there are two copies in my household such is the value of the intformation in the book.

It's certainly worth a read and gets you thinking, In fact I think I'll read it again starting this weekend.




Remorse over I can handle some grammatical errors.

Why do you have two copies though?

Jason_T
Junior Member
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 27th, '09, 12:52

Postby RobMagic » Jan 30th, '09, 12:38

Because it's that good! :)

User avatar
RobMagic
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1445
Joined: Apr 13th, '07, 10:55
Location: Manchester (32:SH)

Postby Jason_T » Jan 30th, '09, 12:44

Agecroft wrote:Because it's that good! :)



That makes no sense at all, you cant read two copies at the same time!

Jason_T
Junior Member
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 27th, '09, 12:52

Postby Mandrake » Jan 30th, '09, 12:46

But it spreads the wear and tear over two copies :wink: !

User avatar
Mandrake
'
 
Posts: 27494
Joined: Apr 20th, '03, 21:00
Location: UK (74:AH)

Postby bronz » Jan 30th, '09, 12:48

Yeah but what if you drop one in the bath....



Drop the book, I meant the book.

The artist who does not rise, descends.
User avatar
bronz
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1206
Joined: Apr 28th, '06, 15:10
Location: Ashford, Kent, UK (28:AH)

Postby Part-Timer » Jan 30th, '09, 21:09

Jason_T wrote:
Part-Timer wrote:Jason, you clearly wouldn't have liked Hector Chadwick's book.



I did actually. Not sure why you said that?


Who is Hector Chadwick? I don't mean who is he really. You've found out about, bought and enjoyed his book, yet you have never heard of Paul, or even tried to research who he is. In spite of not making any effort to find out about Paul, you called him into question.


Jason_T wrote:I do have to question why I have not heard of this guy before as I buy a lot of mentalism.


If I am honest, I questioned it too. :) Paul is fairly well known, and I am surprised that you haven't heard of him before now.

Sorry that my last post was so oblique. I just think that magicians, and mentalists even more so, should be sharp people, and capable of thinking things through and reading between the lines. They should also, in my opinion, be capable of doing a little elementary research into a topic.

I hope you won't take the responses you got on this thread discourage you from sticking around. I think you just got off on the wrong foot! We're a nice bunch, and loyal with it (hence the replies you got).

Part-Timer
Elite Member
 
Posts: 3085
Joined: May 1st, '03, 13:51
Location: London (44:SH)

Postby Craig Browning » Jan 31st, '09, 17:01

Sorry that my last post was so oblique. I just think that magicians, and mentalists even more so, should be sharp people, and capable of thinking things through and reading between the lines. They should also, in my opinion, be capable of doing a little elementary research into a topic.



My dear friend, I hate to burst you bubble, but the majority of magicians I've known over the years never came close to the idea of human being you describe. Most seem to be lethargic, argumentative drunks too lazy to get off the couch, that live by what they read from this or that magazine or saw on a video vs. true life experience. Then we have the real winners; the guys that "work" but still have a chronic drinking issue as well as some serious sexual kinks.

I certainly know of the kind of "Magician" you speak of -- the Harry Blackstone's as it were. I fear however, most would prefer to live down to the above image than apply themselves in ways that would negate the public's low opinion of us and the ugly truth so many have created around this craft; a condition that has become far more grotesque via the advent of the internet and ease of access to both, prop systems and secrets. Case in point; the arrogant spoilt brat with an opinion on things he knows nothing of. :?

User avatar
Craig Browning
Elite Member
 
Posts: 4426
Joined: Nov 5th, '05, 14:53
Location: Northampton, MA * USA

Postby Part-Timer » Jan 31st, '09, 19:24

Craig Browning wrote:My dear friend, I hate to burst your bubble...


It's OK; that particular one was burst a long time ago.

But I live in hope.

Part-Timer
Elite Member
 
Posts: 3085
Joined: May 1st, '03, 13:51
Location: London (44:SH)

Postby Jason_T » Feb 3rd, '09, 09:14

Got my copy now. I was impressed with the customer service as it was swift and efficient. My first impression is pretty good and I was shocked with the thickness of the book.

Due to snow I have the day off so will delve into it today.

Jason_T
Junior Member
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 27th, '09, 12:52

Postby A J Irving » Jul 4th, '09, 11:51

I just got this and I've read about 50 pages and in my opinion, £38 is way too little an amount to ask for this fantastic book. For a start it's just under 400 pages long and only after the tiny amount I've read, it's already got my brain buzzing with ideas about how to change and improve what I do. I haven't even looked at the effects yet and even if I never do, I know I'm going to get so much out of the rest of the book that can be used in each and every performance.

Just the first section on it's own could warrant it's own book so for Paul to fill another 300 pages with what I'm assuming is equally awesome stuff makes him quite possibly the most lovely man on the planet.

Now back to the book.

A J Irving
Senior Member
 
Posts: 713
Joined: Jun 18th, '09, 11:07

PreviousNext

Return to Reviews - Books and other printed formats

A web site set up to sell my book, THE STRIPPER DECK, and future magical/mentalism titles. MagicWorld Magic Shop for Magic Tricks Visit Magicbox for all the latest and best effects! Dude That's Cool Magic UK's Online Magic Tricks and Jokes Shop offers kids and beginner magic tricks and jokes. Playing Cards for Magicians Best prices around!

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest