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Rennie Inner circle I think I have about 1826 Posts |
I would appreciate an honest review of this book. I like a lot of John's work and am in the process of ordering this book as it is one I do not have.Thanks for any info.
Rennie
The effect is the important thing, how you achieve it is not.......
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barkmagicman New user 92 Posts |
Well...the book is a good book...kinda. I'm sorry for the weird comment, but it's the truth. The stuff in the book ranges from marvelous to waste of paper. He explains the working behind his every card trick in the world effect, how to build the shrinking card case, and so on. but as for the normal effects, they are pretty lame. there are one or two ok effects, but nothing special. also it is written by the horrible lance pierce(blegh). that guy is such a bad writer. there are also some funny pics to..
all in all, if you are looking for material look elsewhere |
Rennie Inner circle I think I have about 1826 Posts |
Barkmagician,
Well I guess that is a no holds barred review and I appreciate it.If I am able to get the book at a good price I may still get it.I would definitely not pay the retail price of $45.00.Thanks again Rennie
The effect is the important thing, how you achieve it is not.......
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George Bleeks New user Belfast, Northern Ireland 94 Posts |
I really don't think that this book does John Cornelius justice. He has some great ideas but,for some reason, this book just falls flat.
George Bleeks
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scott b. Special user 732 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-12 09:08, Rennie wrote: I believe A1magicalmedia has the book for around $25 on their website.
Thanks! Scott B.
"I don't know the key to success . . . but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-12 01:33, barkmagicman wrote: Are you totally nuts or what? Maybe the material in the book doesn't appeal to you, or doesn't fit your style, but the book is an analysis of how John created some of the most original magic of the 20th century. Maybe we could take your post seriously if you identified yourself, but you use an anonymous handle to conceal your identity. I can't take this review seriously at all.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Rennie Inner circle I think I have about 1826 Posts |
Bill,
Since I really respect your reviews and what you have to say in general I will be getting the book.I have read many posts by you and realize you are very knowledgeable in the art of magic.Thank you for making up my mind, I also feel very strongly about the ingenuity of John Cornelius. Thanks again, Rennie
The effect is the important thing, how you achieve it is not.......
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Rennie:
Most people have no concept of what this book is really about. It's not about the tricks, it's about the thinking that went into them. The things in this book are the ones that won John the FISM title. Some of them may not be practical for the average magician. But the principles that John used to create these items are undeniably ingenious. The production of a three-tiered cake, complete with candles won John an originality trophy in 1991. And the pendulum principle is the one that Danny Korem used as the basis for the "Upside Down Toppit." If all you get out of this is a peek into the inner workings of John's mind, you will have more than your money's worth. I've known John for more than 30 years. He calls me up from time to time and says something like "how about a trick where you are sitting at a table and a ...." and then he describes a miracle. Just don't ever go to a surplus electronics shop with John. You will never get out of there. He will invent 15 tricks before he gets from the door to the cash register. Out of those 15, 5 will be workable. He throws away ideas most people would try to make an act out of.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-13 02:49, Bill Palmer wrote: And the candles are lit, using a "low-tech" method that's ingenious! John Cornelius is one of the most brilliant thinkers in magic and has been for a long time. |
Rennie Inner circle I think I have about 1826 Posts |
Bill / Larry,
I definitely agree with both of you on the brilliance of John as I have an effect from the 70's called Pinnacle Slate which has little pieces of white & black metal inside and by using a magnetic wire and putting it on the slate ( inside an envelope ) the slate will actually form words.I understand this is fairly difficult to find. Bill very interesting post on your relationship with John thanks for sharing these little tidbits. Rennie
The effect is the important thing, how you achieve it is not.......
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John Pezzullo Veteran user Sydney AUSTRALIA 354 Posts |
A review of this book was published in the February 2003 issue of "Genii". The review, written by Eric Mead, provides an overview of the book's strengths and weaknesses.
"One arrow. One life."
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barkmagicman New user 92 Posts |
Bill, obviously you didn't read my post, I said if your looking for effects look elsewhere. This in no way implys that John is a bad performer, I've seen him do his version of Benzais 4-d and every card trick in the world, it is a beautiful thing. Don't get all up in arms, books can offer different strokes. No one is going to buy the Five Points to learn tricks, just like no one is going to pick up a copy of the great hockman exposes himself for theory.
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Magicbarry Loyal user Toronto 276 Posts |
Quote:
If all you get out of this is a peek into the inner workings of John's mind, you will have more than your money's worth. This is pretty much what I was going to say. There is a lot of great magic in this book ... but to me, that's not it's strength. The strength of the book is that you see a creative mind at work. Too often, books, manuscripts, DVDs, etc., only offer us different handlings and variations of established effects. Cornelius is a magician who truly "creates" magic. He steps outside the box and looks at effects from a completely different angle. It's thrilling, to me, to see what he comes up with. It's the kind of creativity that we should all aspire to. |
meilechl Special user 657 Posts |
I had mixed feelings about the book. On the one hand there's nothing really useable (barring some bits and pieces that may be incorporated in a routine), but on the other hand the book is full of genius and was a really delightful read and re-read (and re-re-read...).
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-14 12:37, barkmagicman wrote: I did read your post. And I stand behind my response. There are at least a half dozen items from this book that I use quite often. I don't use "Moonshine" as often as I used to, but "Fickle Nickel," "Baby Boom," and his cigarette bits are all things that I use on a regular basis. And Knot so Tuff is still as good now as it was when he first came out with it.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
bsears Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 1040 Posts |
I agree with the (very common) review that the book is interesting, inspiring, but probably doesn't have anything you'll use. And yes, the author's writing did not do john justice.
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barkmagicman New user 92 Posts |
I will make one concession, I used to perform marked for life every day....There, are you happy. Haha
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KyleLeon New user Ottawa, ON 25 Posts |
Ok hold the phone.
Are you guys out of your mind?? Anyone who thinks this book isn't worth the money or contains a lot of effects no one would ever use etc. is completely crazy. First off, the book retails for $45 USD – chicken scratch for a magic book of a magician of John's caliber. No question about that. Secondly, my all-time favourite packet trick is Marked for Life. That effect alone is worth $45 and I am not ****ing around when I say that. I have spent a hell of a lot more on one-off gimmicked effects online and they sit on my shelf collecting dust. This is a great book by a great magician. Here's a little inside tip: Magic will often disappoint those who only give a **** about methods. Stop buying magic for the secrets, stopping caring about methods. Methods suck. Presentation and interesting effects are where the real secrets are. Oh and my biggest pet peeve is reading an amateur magician's ****ty thoughts on magic |
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
Only 15 years too late for any of them to care.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
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