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casinoboss New user 75 Posts 
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I'm about half way through the book and agree that it's fantastic. Ben has definitely put a lot of thinking and refinement into every aspect of the effects in this book. Ishin-Denshin is a great example. I can imagine the method being described in one short paragraph in Hugard's Encyclopedia of Card Tricks. In Asymptotes, Ben takes several pages to fully describe the motivation behind every single action and line of patter. Great stuff.
One small annoyance is that there are a LOT of minor typographical errors in the book (e.g. extra spaces between words) that I found rather distracting. Somewhat surprised this hasn't been mentioned by anyone yet. |
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casinoboss New user 75 Posts
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Finally finished the book. In addition to Ishin-Denshin, I'm really liking The Caussand Effect. It takes an old effect that I always found somewhat problematic and adds several improvements that solve many of the issues I had with the original. It's not going to full magicians but I can see this fitting nicely between OOTW and Triumph. Additionally, the scripting gives a nice excuse to use a different deck which provides a great opportunity to switch back in a stacked deck afterwards.
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Maestro Special user 802 Posts
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I haven't read the book, but I do not think it will be for me if the demo for Ishin-Denshin is any indication.
I felt like the effect is so unclear. Is it an ACAAN, a divination? Is it one spectator reading the other spectator's mind, is the magician reading the spectators mind? There is so much handling and it takes so long. Just my opinion, Maestro |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts
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Quote:
On Oct 30, 2016, Maestro wrote: A lot of people don't "get" my material. That's fine. ASYMPTOTES probably isn't for you. Thanks for considering it, though. -Ben Blau
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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brainman Special user 971 Posts
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Great book, great thinking..it is a treasure for people who REALLY dig into it.
EVERYTHING can be beaten to death with words on this planet. I need workers for my real life set. I found maaany goodies there! Thanks Ben!!!! Keep up the good work! |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts
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I'm very impressed by the attention to detail in Ben Blau's work. He also has a very engaging performance persona. Odd and intriguing.
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts
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Quote:
On Nov 4, 2016, Martin Pulman wrote: Thanks, Martin! I do my best!
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts
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I always admire an artist who ploughs his own furrow.
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rockbrunnen Elite user 431 Posts
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This book ASYMPTOTES has been kept in my Penguin wishlist for a long time, but I finally decided to purchase.
UNFAZED was soooo good and the bonus video came with it made me want to study more. |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts
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Quote:
On Nov 4, 2016, rockbrunnen wrote: Thank you, Rock! I really hope you enjoy it. -Ben
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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magic11ryan Regular user 116 Posts
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Just ordered - can't wait to read Ben's work
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Patrick Redford Inner circle Michigan 1751 Posts
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Such an enjoyable book!
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qualysoft Regular user Presidente Prudente/SP - Brasil 108 Posts
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Ben, just for curiosity. What is your (or more, if there is more than one) favorite routine in the book? Which one you most perform and/or are you most proud to have created?
Congratulations for the excellent book! |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts
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I have a special sentimental attachment to "Sort Of The Truth", because it was the very first mental card effect I ever invented. I still love it, and perform it a lot. I also perform Sophisthree quite a bit, as well as Manhattan and Ishin-Denshin (both of which are TOCATON effects).
Those are just my favorites. The people I've heard from have all kinds of favorites. Creepiest seems to be popular, although I admit I don't perform it much. Not enough people have worked hard enough to present "A Pale Blue", in my opinion. It's another one of my favorites that hits HARD. I don't think I've heard back from anyone who has learned Quicksand. That's a shame. I think it's a really novel way to do the classic 10 Card Poker Deal. Also, Con-Centration has some features that I'm proud of. Particularly the Futility Switch. What are you using from the book? Ben
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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qualysoft Regular user Presidente Prudente/SP - Brasil 108 Posts
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Hello Ben! Thank you for your comments!
For me, it's very interesting to read about the particularities and preferences of the writer. Currently my favorites are "Crimson Clupeidae" and "Sort of The Truth", but I will give it a try and start practicing "Manhattan" and "Ishin-Denshin". Would anyone else like to comment your favorites? Hugs! |
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dr_catman New user Singapore 74 Posts
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About to click the buy it now for this test great book.
Wanted to check with you Ben about what level of card art is required for these effects to go well? I know this is very subjective, just trying to get a feel. |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts
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Quote:
On Jul 21, 2017, dr_catman wrote: Not sure what you mean by "card art", but if you mean sleight of hand, I would say that almost none of the effects require manual dexterity with cards in that sense. You need to be comfortable with simple things like holding a deck of cards, cutting, overhand shufflng, riffle shuffling, etc. Most of the effects rely on subtlety and semi-automatic principles rather than sleight of hand. Thanks for your interest, Ben
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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dr_catman New user Singapore 74 Posts
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Quote:
On Jul 21, 2017, Ben Blau wrote: Thanks heaps Ben, yes I was referring to sleight of hand. Perfectly answered my question. Will be in my order cart on Monday, payday  👍
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts
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I'm grateful for your interest in my work! You can see performance videos of some of the effects on my website (in my signature).
Thank you!
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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dr_catman New user Singapore 74 Posts
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Quote:
On Jul 21, 2017, Ben Blau wrote: Those videos sealed it for me! Thanks Ben |
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| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » ASYMPTOTES. New book coming soon from Ben Blau (24 Likes) | ||||||||||
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Posted: Jun 7, 2016 08:05 am 
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