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E-book. Magic that’s fun…For profit. by Scott F. Guinn.

E-Book: $20 from : www.scottfguinn.com

Pre-Amble
It should be no surprise that I find myself reviewing another book by Scott F. Guinn. I think it is like finding an author of fiction you like. You really really like. (Good grief! I sound like a spice girl now)

Once you have read a few of their books, you can pretty much trust your instincts and know that everything they produce will be ok. Obviously that isn’t always the case but so far I haven’t been let down by Scott.

This booklet was of particular interest to me though as now I am earning money from magic, I want to make sure I am doing the very best for my clients and the very best for myself.

Who better to write on the subject than Scott F. Guinn. There are many full time magicians in the world, but I doubt that any get more work than he does.

The Review
The book is primarily aimed at the close up magician. It not only offers several close-up effects, ranging from cards, coins, sponge balls (well not actually sponge balls, but you will have to read on to find out what), and string and ring, but also there are a few parlour based effect, one for adults and one for kids.

If you could perform everything in this manuscript well, you could make a living as a magician. You pretty much would have all the bases covered.

Difficulty.
1=Easy peasy lemon squeazy, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used, 4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
Dificulty: 3

The Tricks
1. Red Hot Mama’s Lips

Based on Al Leech’s Chicago Opener, this is actually one of the strongest card tricks I perform at a table. It is sweet and endearing and is fantastic to perform to a couple. It does use some basic sleights, but they are all well taught in the booklet.

2. Idaho Travellers.
A simple version of the Dai Vernon classic “Travellers” effect.
Four queens are removed from the pack. The pack is shown to have no extra queens. One by one the 4 queens are placed in the deck and then they just disappear (as if by magic). Only to reappear one by one in four of the magicians pockets.

Strong, funny and very visual.

3. Visit to Boise
This is Scott’s handling of Larry Jennings’ “The Visitor”. Another classic of card magic. Possibly a little trickier than the first two card effects – but well worth putting in the time and effort to practice.

4.. Universal Appeal
Magic really happens in this effect, several times over. It uses the concept of chameleon cards which can mimic any card selected.

This trick is very visual.

5.. Ransomed Back
Possibly one of the easier effects performance wise – but just as strong. Some great thinking was put into this one.

6. Magic Western Union.
I could say this is just another coins across routine. I could, but I won’t because it is so much more.

Three coin magically travel from one closed hand to join the three coins in the other closed hand. The coins are then held in the hand of the spectator, and you take an invisible coin and vanish it (even I can vanish an invisible coin!), but it materialises in the spectators hand.

The kicker is the Jumbo coin production at the end. Beautiful stuff.

7. Glass Action Suit.
A coins to glass routine, that appears so magical because of the sound effects.

8. Rings off, Rings on.
This was one of my favourite pieces in the booklet. It uses to key ring rings that first penetrate a piece of string and then mysteriously link.

It doesn’t actually sound much when I say it like that, but it gets great reactions. It also makes a tres nice break from cards and coins.

9. A Trunk full of Nuts.
This is a two in the hand one in the pocket routine. Something that I think all magicians should learn as it teaches so much about performing sleight off hand magic.

This particular variation uses peanuts and an Elephant and is quite enchanting. If making an Elephant disappear is good enough for Houdini, then making one appear is good enough for me.

10. The Card or the Cash Visual Matchup
Scott says "This is probably the single stongest effect I have ever performed, in any venue".

I am not going to say a single thing about it. If you want to learn more then you will just have to spend the $20.

11. Million Dollar Chocolate
A sort of Misers dream with sweets.

If I did kids magic I WOULD do this. I would end with it. Heck I am tempted to do a kids show just so I CAN do this.

I know – where are my nieces and Nephews? Hhhmmmm. Next time I see them I will have to get them together with some of their mates.

To be honest I had fun just reading about the fun that the kids would have when you do this.

Bottom Line
I don’t think Scott will mind my saying that most of the effects are variations of classic effects. Scott’s strength for me is his routining of them and his ability to make them not just entertaining, but also a lot of fun to perform. I guess that is why the manuscript is called “…for fun, AND profit”.

My goal is till to persuade Scott to come to England and do the lecture circuit here.

I strongly recommend this booklet.

Other threads to look for.
“Great Scott it’s Magic”. DVD
The Magic of Scott F. Guinn. Card Magic
An article…
Great Scott, it’s Coin Magic
Belgian Blockbusters, The magic of Peter Vanspauwen

Thank you, Simon, for your very kind and detailed review. I truly appreciate it.

About five of the tricks in this book are also found on Scott's DVD. My favorite still is "Universal Appeal", a card routine with several surprises.
This one gets great reactions from the audience.
The great advantages of Scott's tricks are that they are 100% audience tested, that they are really entertaining and audience involving, and that they can be learned by every magician. Really real world stuff.
Although I've read and seen much of Scott's stuff, I don't know the last five tricks in this book. Perhaps a reason to spend another $20...
Peter