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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Books, Pamphlets & Lecture Notes » » Gene Anderson The Book (1 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

motown
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Atlanta by way of Detroit
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I saw in Genii, that Gene Anderson has a new book out.

It received a great review from John Lovick.

At 256 pages, the book has over 800 hundred illustrations and photos. It has many routines, including his we'll know Newspaper Tear. A couple of things that caught my attention are his handling for the Professor's Nightmare and Gypsy Thread.

Love the clever cover concept.

I always enjoyed seeing Gene at the Abbott Get-Togethers.

Looking forward to picking this up.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain
ekins
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Portland, Oregon
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I've let my magazine subscriptions expire and hadn't heard about this book. Here's some more info for any else that's interested.

http://www.geneanderson.com/thebook.html

-Brian
motown
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The 890 illustrations and photos should be a tremendous aid in learning the routines in the book.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain
motown
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Magic magazine's review of Gene's new book, starts and ends with the words "Buy this book".
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain
puggo
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I ordered this book from Gene. I'm in the UK but got this really quickly - the service from Gene was top class.
While I have not had this for long enough to give a proper review, I will say that the writing style, layout and depth of explanations are excellent. Some of the pieces will need a fair bit of set up and practice, while others not so much.
Definitely a book to read over time..
motown
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I'd be interested to know what you think of his Gypsy Thread.

I plan on ordering a copy myself.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain
Gordon
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Read every trick, every chapter. Lots of good advice throughout.
silbo
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Are any UK dealers stocking this, or planning to? The p&p is prohibitive, especially as we have such a weak exchange at the moment...
Tim Hannig
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Image


Got my copy and it's evident that Gene put years into this book!

Highly recommended.
Author of PERFORM, the 2020 Magic Cafe Book of the Year

"I loved this book!" Ken Weber

"4 out of 4 stars!" Nick Lewin

"This will be a classic of magic!" Mark Pocan


performbettershows.com
Peckham
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Great book, well written and illustrated.
ekins
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My order finally went in. Looking forward to reading it.
casinoboss
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This book looks great. Would love to hear what people think about it so far.
David Todd
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Quote:
On Aug 11, 2016, casinoboss wrote:
This book looks great. Would love to hear what people think about it so far.



5 years on , I'm a bit surprised at how little discussion there has been on the Magic Café about Gene Anderson's book. (THE Book) So I'm going to chime in that I believe this is a fantastic book. I can not emphasize what an essential book this is. Get it. (get it before it goes out of print eventually and then you'll be sorry because the out-of-print prices are going to be way more than what you'll pay for it now) You are getting not only very workable, professional routines (honed to a fine point over years of performing), but Gene also teaches how the routines were developed and his philosophy behind why he does what he does in each routine. You are getting to go inside the mind of a man who is an entertainer but he thinks like a scientist (which, he is ... he earned a PhD in Chemistry and spent 32 years at Dow Chemical Co. in between performing magic shows) He gives many important tips on improving your own performance (apart from performing any of the routines in the book; whether you do or don't perform any of his material in the book, he will help you improve the material you are currently performing.) Very practical, real world advice on routining, scripting, building props, tables, packing ,and prop management.

The Book stands on its' own merits as is , but there is also Gene Anderson's Penguin Live lecture that covers much of the material in The Book. He performs many of the routines from The Book in front of a live audience, then the video switches to lecture mode (for a smaller group of magicians only) where he breaks down each routine step by step. Here is what Gene says about the lecture: "The Penguin Live lecture is a good companion to The Book, but it is not a replacement for The Book. Some things really do need step-by-step instructions. Folding paper objects is a good example. The benefit of seeing something performed on video is in the overview perspective that provides. When you see how it's presented, you realize this actually might fit you, and that it is something you wish to pursue."

So, you don't absolutely NEED the video lecture. All the material he covers in the lecture is explained in more detail in the book, but I enjoyed seeing Gene speak about his work. To me it was worth it to have the video lecture to augment the book.

https://www.geneanderson.com/thebook.html

https://www.geneanderson.com/penguinlecture.html

(Tip: buy the Penguin lecture download directly from Gene . He is selling it for $15.00 , which is half off the full price ($29.95) you would pay on the Penguin Magic website. He doesn't have an unlimited number of these lower priced downloads available , so when they are gone they are gone. In the meantime if you purchase it directly from Gene you get it for half off the price it costs on Penguin. )

Quote:
On May 25, 2016, motown wrote:
Magic magazine's review of Gene's new book, starts and ends with the words "Buy this book".


I hope it's appropriate to post that review here.

Quote:
The Book by Gene Anderson
Reviewed by Peter Pitchford
MAGIC Magazine, June, 2016


Buy this book. The end.

I really would like to end my review there,
but I don’t think Stan would be happy about
it. So I will continue by telling you what this
book brings to the table:

A lifetime of wisdom and experience.
Gene Anderson has performed these routines
thousands of times. He has worked out all
the kinks and polished each routine. His
scripting is immaculate.

His transparent thought process. Gene
welcomes you into his brilliant mind and
allows you to see why he does what he does.
His justification for each method, action,
joke, etc. is worth the price of the book.

Incredible pedagogy. Gene teaches, in
detail, every minute element as clearly as
any book I have ever read. No stone is left
unturned. I never felt frustrated, like I had to
fill in any gaps in the teaching. He even cites
sources for where to purchase necessary sup­-
plies or ingredients.

The photographs and illustrations ,tons
of them, all crystal clear. Each photograph is
just right for what Gene is trying to accomplish.
Where needed, he added small touch-ups,
such as painting a thumb tip white to show up
clearer in the photo, or using a smaller rope so
it would frame better in the picture.

The content. Most magicians know Gene
from his newspaper act. Yes, that is included
here, and that alone should fetch a hand­
some fee. But there is so much more here.
The effects are fun, funny, and amazing. I
especially loved his Picto Transpo. An audi­-
ence member is invited on the stage. Gene
draws a picture of her (and signs the back)
as she draws a picture of him (and signs the
back). Both pictures are placed in envelopes
and each “artist” holds his/her respective
drawing. The drawings magically transpose
without coming near each other. I also liked
his Die Box routine. I have never written
or spoken the words “like” and “Die Box
routine” in the same sentence before. But
Gene’s is clever and funny and different.
He has a version of Robert Harbin’s Card
in Bottle that is killer. Gene has so much
excellent advice and even a stellar chapter on
magic tables. For the performing magician,
that chapter is so valuable. He has especially
outstanding advice on developing an act to
actually perform.

The finished product. Immediately, I could
tell how much effort was put into this book.
The crediting is deep and careful. The side
quotes are appropriate and amusing. The
layout is easy on the eyes. The cover art is
incredible.

Gene Anderson is a master at his craft
and knows how to communicate that to
others. His advice needs to be considered by
performing magicians and those interested in
becoming performing magicians. This will not
appeal to those wanting to freak someone out
in the coffee shop or the lunchroom. But if
you want to perform onstage or in stand-up
situations, this work is a must-have.

Buy this book. The end.


Available exclusively from Gene Anderson: https://www.geneanderson.com/thebook.html


.
Rspangl
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David. Thanks for the reminder about the Penguin lecture as a companion to the book. The Gene Anderson Newspaper tear is in pretty much all of my shows. I know there are other variations, but this is the one I learned and am sticking to it. And, I love Gene Anderson. He's the kind of guy who makes you feel like he's so glad to see you. This is really good to document so much of Gene's work over the years.
Ron Spangler
David Todd
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Illusion77
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Is this book available only from Gene?

His Penguin lecture was definitely enjoyable as well
David Todd
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Quote:
On Dec 23, 2021, Illusion77 wrote:
Is this book available only from Gene?


Yes. Only available from Gene. And he will autograph it to you if you ask !



Quote:
On Dec 23, 2021, Illusion77 wrote:
His Penguin lecture was definitely enjoyable as well.



Oh, yes, it is ! I hope Penguin (looking at you, Dan Harlan) will get him back to do another LIVE lecture. Gene's full "Part Time Pro" lecture would be amazing to have on video.
Illusion77
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Thanks for the info! And I'll definitely check with Gene.
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