Price$30.00
Media TypeBook
CategoryPhilosophy
Date AddedMar 16, 2003
Magic Mirror, The
Neale, Robert E. & David Parr
Hermetic Press
(Based on 1 review)
The Magic Mirror shows how magic can be comic, serious, thrilling, playful, inspiring. Included is a selection of exceedingly clever effects with full presentations, to illustrate Dr. Neale's points. Among these are:
Baffling Borromean Rings—Three permanently interlocked rings change their configuration, even when a spectator holds them to make sure that this is impossible.
The Last Dream—With tombstone-shaped cards, the performer takes his audience on a nightmarish trip through mortality.
Counting Scarecrows—An origami crow mysteriously outwits a group of "hunters" who are guided in their movements by a spectator.
Whatsabox—A simple box of cardboard turns out to be far from simple. First it has an open top and closed bottom, then two tops, then two bottoms-and a ball placed into the box finds itself trapped inside, then just as mysteriously is released.
These and nine other effects are taught and amplified by the reflections of Eugene Burger, Max Maven and David Parr, who have peered into Robert E. Neale's astonishing Magic Mirror. Now it is your turn.
Hardcover, 182 pages.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Note From Joe:
I was given The Magic Mirror as a gift from my friend David Parr, one of the co-authors of the book. I have never met Bob Neale, but have corresponded in email a few times. I bring this up in the interest of full disclosure. This book has been on the market for several years and there are no reviews on it here at MyLovelyAssistant. I am writing this review because I feel it deserves to be recognized and talked about.
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I’m surprised how much this book has gone under the radar. Sure, it’s definitely THE most complex magic book I have ever read, and theory books don’t get talked about as much as the latest Buck Twins DVD.
The fact that this theory book delivers with some solid material that is suitable for the right situation in the real world is what sets it apart from almost all other books on magical theory that I have read.
I can’t really sum up what the book is about because, as I said it’s extremely complex. Each time I re-read it, I get a different point of view from the last time I read it. However, every time I finish reading it I feel excited about magic, and I learn something new to implement into my work almost immediately.
This is not a light read. It’s so complex and intricate, that it had to be restructured by David Parr after it was written by Bob Neale.
What also sets this book apart is not only how deep it is, but also how practical it is. Each section is broken down so you can understand it, and builds upon the previous section. Finally, we are treated to some pieces of magic created by Bob Neale. Even if theory and storytelling magic aren’t your thing, you should still take a look at this material because there are some really solid effects and clever methods in here.
There is an impromptu fortunetelling effect called “Quick to Tell” using a borrowed deck of cards, which shows you how to make a strange procedure in card magic make sense.
For those who like toys and gimmicked props, “Whatsabox?” will provide hours of enjoyment! It takes a little while to make one up, but once you do, you will have a wonderful time playing with this strange prop with many presentational possibilities.
“Valentines” is an extremely commercial effect to do for a couple on almost any day of the year. Perfect substitute for “Anniversary Waltz.”
“Swimming over Fathoms” is an interesting bill switch routine. It takes the old gypsy switch and makes it into another deep, yet practical effect.
Many magicians complain that this kind of material is too long for audiences, and doesn’t have enough magic. They are kind of right in that if they were to do the material exactly as written, it wouldn’t work for them. However, the material can easily be modified and rewritten, and it should be. The book is showing us how the authors have approached these themes.
As I mentioned, this book is a standout in magical theory, because it shows how Bob has implemented his thought into his work. While you may not agree with or understand everything he says, you will still come away with some solid ideas, exercises, and effects to use to enrich your repertoire and maybe even your audiences’ lives.
I was given The Magic Mirror as a gift from my friend David Parr, one of the co-authors of the book. I have never met Bob Neale, but have corresponded in email a few times. I bring this up in the interest of full disclosure. This book has been on the market for several years and there are no reviews on it here at MyLovelyAssistant. I am writing this review because I feel it deserves to be recognized and talked about.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m surprised how much this book has gone under the radar. Sure, it’s definitely THE most complex magic book I have ever read, and theory books don’t get talked about as much as the latest Buck Twins DVD.
The fact that this theory book delivers with some solid material that is suitable for the right situation in the real world is what sets it apart from almost all other books on magical theory that I have read.
I can’t really sum up what the book is about because, as I said it’s extremely complex. Each time I re-read it, I get a different point of view from the last time I read it. However, every time I finish reading it I feel excited about magic, and I learn something new to implement into my work almost immediately.
This is not a light read. It’s so complex and intricate, that it had to be restructured by David Parr after it was written by Bob Neale.
What also sets this book apart is not only how deep it is, but also how practical it is. Each section is broken down so you can understand it, and builds upon the previous section. Finally, we are treated to some pieces of magic created by Bob Neale. Even if theory and storytelling magic aren’t your thing, you should still take a look at this material because there are some really solid effects and clever methods in here.
There is an impromptu fortunetelling effect called “Quick to Tell” using a borrowed deck of cards, which shows you how to make a strange procedure in card magic make sense.
For those who like toys and gimmicked props, “Whatsabox?” will provide hours of enjoyment! It takes a little while to make one up, but once you do, you will have a wonderful time playing with this strange prop with many presentational possibilities.
“Valentines” is an extremely commercial effect to do for a couple on almost any day of the year. Perfect substitute for “Anniversary Waltz.”
“Swimming over Fathoms” is an interesting bill switch routine. It takes the old gypsy switch and makes it into another deep, yet practical effect.
Many magicians complain that this kind of material is too long for audiences, and doesn’t have enough magic. They are kind of right in that if they were to do the material exactly as written, it wouldn’t work for them. However, the material can easily be modified and rewritten, and it should be. The book is showing us how the authors have approached these themes.
As I mentioned, this book is a standout in magical theory, because it shows how Bob has implemented his thought into his work. While you may not agree with or understand everything he says, you will still come away with some solid ideas, exercises, and effects to use to enrich your repertoire and maybe even your audiences’ lives.