|
|
fmpilot Loyal user of a fence with 245 Posts |
I have had the extremely good fortune of checking 5 books off of my "must have" list--all within the last week! Of course my game plan is to voraciously devour each one of them but I'm curious how some of you would approach this desirable dilemma...
The 5 books: Williamson's Wonders Secrets of Brother John Hamman Complete Works of Derek Dingle Collected Works of Alex Elmsley I & II The questions: Which one first? Skip around or read cover to cover? Practice effects as you go the first time through?
"You can observe a lot by just watching."
- Yogi Berra |
Kimura Special user 519 Posts |
When I buy multiple books, I take a quick read-through of each. I read the introductions or forewords and then scan the effects. If the effects aren't described I just look at the pretty pictures
I then go back to effects that stood out to me the first time around. Eventually, after some time, I'll have read most of the books. Then I start to practice. Either way, those are great books (I have Dingle and Williamson and Hamman is on his way to me now), and it will take you a while to chew through them all. I can't think of any particular order to read them though. |
Peo Olsson Inner circle Stockholm, Sweden 3260 Posts |
I agree with Kimura here about what order to read them in, as we all have our specific tastes in magic books.
I am lucky to have all the books mentioned. I bought them when they come out, both from Kaufman & Company and from Hermetic Press. I can still recall the sensation I felt when I read trough the Dingle book, and it was my favourite for a long time. A must if you are into cards, coins and what have you. Has just been reprinted. But it was soon overshadow by Brother John Hamman's book. I absoloutly fell in love with it. I know I am biased here, Brother Hamman is one of my big card heros. He was a true master in every sense. If you are into cards only this book (which has just been reprinted) is HIGHLY recomended. Of the two Elmsley books I just can say you have LOADS of material to go through, mostly cards. Sadly volume 2 has been out of print for some time. Williamsons book is a lot thiner, but equal good as the others. Peo
Pictured to the left my hero and me during FISM 2006 in Stockholm.
|
Tom G Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Good list to work with. For me personally I'd look into Williamson and Dingle first just to have some variety. If you're a hard core card guy, then the other
two choices would be better. The Williamson and Dingle have some incredible card effects they also have some coin and a couple of other odds and ends... Tom |
Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
Agreed with the strategy to look at them at. I techincally own all of them. I sold my Bro John Hamman book to pay for a first edition version of the book that was signed by Bro John Hamman, though I'm still waiting for it to arrive.
The Derek Dingle book isn't for the beginner. Some of the instructions are brief, but that doesn't defer from the actual effects and methods |
fmpilot Loyal user of a fence with 245 Posts |
I usually tackle the forewords and introductions first as Kimura mentioned. My biggest "problem" is the wrestling match between my desire to quickly gather as much info as possible and my desire to grab my cards, coins, or whatever props to practice as I read each effect.
Thanks for the responses. I'm really enjoying learning about the various personalities who frequent the Café.
"You can observe a lot by just watching."
- Yogi Berra |
Magiguy Inner circle Seattle, WA 5467 Posts |
What a great list of books! I have them all and love them all, each for a very different reason. I would agree with the strategy of reading the introductions, forwards, and contents of each if only to savor and relish the thought of what you now lay claim to. My favorite based on variety and flat-out fun is Williamson's Wonders. My favorite based on overall depth of scope is The Complete Works of Derek Dingle. My favorite based on ingenuity, brilliance (and mathematics) is The Collected Works of Alex Elmsley. My favorite based on effect and routine is Secrets of Bro. John Hamman. Frankly, no matter where you start you will very likely be pleased.
|
stache New user 69 Posts |
Hey FMPilot
I'm happy to see that you are thinking about a plan of attack for this huge book selection, I hope that you keep thinking while you are reading these books because there is some of the best magic in these tomes. To tell you the truth I thought about what order I would read them in and I have to say that I couldn't come up with a thing. I think the reason is because all the of books that you named I have already read at least three times. I guess what I am saying is that it doesn't matter what order you read them in because you will keep coming back to them throughout your entire life in magic, they are just that good. With that list of yours I can tell you are going to have many happy hours of reading and practicing, I hope you have fun. Stache |
fmpilot Loyal user of a fence with 245 Posts |
Thanks Stache and everyone else, I am having a blast. Little did my wife know that her anniversary gift to me would make me so "unavailable". So far, I have explored the most in Elmsley's vol 1. I particularly enjoyed his essay on performance. Williamson's Wonders, I have found, is full of magical treasures and I went right to Dingle's techniques on the Pass. I haven't had a chance to meet Brother John...yet.
"You can observe a lot by just watching."
- Yogi Berra |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Books, Pamphlets & Lecture Notes » » Brother Williamson Elmsley Dingle's Dilemma (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.01 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |