talkmagic.co.uk

I've stumbled upon a mentalism book called "Mind, Myth & Magick" by T.A. Waters.

As I understood, this book comes from the 80s or so.

However the fact that it is of about 800 pages and the price is around $290 on Amazon attracted my attention.

Any good or bad feedback on this read? I have to be sure it's worth it before I spend nearly 300 bucks on a book.

Cheers,
darkside

There are discussions on this from many moons ago. Try the search function which will show a thread or two.

At the original in-print price it was a bargain. Whether it's worth paying those ridiculous op prices is another matter.

I'm hanging on to my copy ...

There is a DVD/download set of Waters performing some of the material (L&L, I think). This may be better value (although I personally much prefer books anyway).

Barry

Wow is that really what it's going for now?!

It's a cracking books that's chock full of some really nice ideas. That is a lot of money though, I can't remember how much I paid for my copy but it was nowhere near that sort of price.

It has always been expensive. And I too will not let go of mine anytime soon. Because this is a very expensive item I'll give you my two cents.

The book was reviewed in MAGIC magazine, (I think it was Magic Magazine) when the book first hit the market. The review was simply amazing. Of course it was T.A. Waters who reviewed the book.

Despite that, the book is a gold mine if you know how to read it. Forget the effects, don't get me wrong there are good ones. Most have obviously never been performed. Many could not be performed. I was really excited about making a four foot demon appear as I love bizarre magic, I was even thinking even if it gives me an idea it would be cool. The particular effect was featured as part of the advertising, I was greatly disappointed it would be easier to make an actual four foot demon appear than perform the effect in the book.

What is of value, and it is a lot of value, is the thinking. The snippets of inspiration, the thinking behind the effects, the perspective he gives. T.A. Waters is really an incredible thinker, I've only seen him perform via the internet and on Video back in the day. Not exactly my style but he was okay. But that didn't take away from the book.

So some basic questions and answers.
Will you be able to use the effects in the book? Some yes, most no.
Will you gain a finer understanding on presentation, mentalism and bizarre magic? Yes, at least I did.
Will you find inspiration and make you look at performance in a different light? Yes again for me.
Will going through the book make you turn a corner and be the best thing since sliced bread and in turn get you more gigs? No, For that you need to take a course on marketing.

Is it worth it. Yes if you have the money, don't mind spending the money, and really serious about magic and learning theory and you know how read between the lines to get at that theory.

If you are just looking for effects? No, not worth it.

Of course those are just my feelings. Oh and I know quite a few people who have the book, but I don't know anybody willing to part with it.