Hi all
This is my attempt at a review for
Paul Harris' The Art of Astonishment
Contents:
3 beautiful hard back books
Price:
£79.99 for all 3 Volumes
£28.99 separatley
From:
www.magictricks.co.uk and if your magic supplier is good, they should be able to get this Holy Bible
These 3 books, or as I now refer to them, the gift from above (and my pocket
) are priceless.
There are 222 detailed effects, and 2000 illustrations, and very detailed instructions on how to perform these miracles. If you were to buy each effect separatley, you would spend thousands.
Some of the effects, just require pure nerve to pull off, but the way he describes and explains them, you will want to do them!!! Its not a book full of jargon, he does have the beginner in mind, although some of the effects are very advanced, and will need considerable practise no doubt.
He describes the effect, gives credit to whose trick it was originally, cracks a joke, tells about how he came of the idea, (again, usually something funny) then gives a detailed explanation, numbering step by step the way to do them. Unlike some cheap booklets, full of typo's this has none, and he even prints a page 3 and a half (for a particualer effect
) well, the publishers do it for him anyways
He has not one, but THREE linking card effects, one of which can be done completley impromptu!!!!! I kid you not!!
His sense of humour throughout the book, makes you not want to put it down, he gives "PHOOTNOTES" at the end of each effect, for other methods to do it, and sometimes, just a wise crack
(you are funny Mr Harris)
Some other effects -
Counterfeit Spectator - On a borrowed dollar bill, the printed signature of the Treasurer of the United States transforms into the spectator's name. Unfortunatley, not possible with UK money, but still a killer effect.
McGimmick - You levitate a milkshake using only your finger...then you completely vanish the milkshake leaving only its crumpled container.
This is GREAT, watch the look on the McD's staff when you do this. It causes a roar of laughter!!!
The Anything Deck - Place a small packet of cards under the case...ANY word or name is called out...you spread the packet to reveal the exact same word, written in thin black marker across the backs of the cards. A completely new principle for releasing deep astonishment. Yet another!!! With practice, this is superb
There are so many card, coin, and everyday object tricks in this, it is indescribable. I really recommend this series to anyone, you will go back and back to it. There is just about every kind of effect, from the silly, to the Deeply Astounding. David Copperfields linking card routine?? Its in here!!!
Critisism??
A review should have good, and bad points. The only tiny, minor critisism I have, is that some of the drawings are hard to follow, you need to look at them a few times, then you will see.
They ARE heavy books, and will not fit through your post box. Magictricks.co.uk offer a great delivery time, and this books will last you a lifetime, and I doubt they will ever decrease in value. For me they are also an investment.
I hope this review hasn't bored you all stupid (if you got this far) I did copy the effect description and pasted, but the review is my personal opinion of the said items.
Anyone who is serious about magic, this is the one. Well, 3, actually
Mark
