I've been on a reading kick of late and two books: Michael Ammar and Adam Fleischer's "The Magical Arts Journal," and John Guastaferro's "One Degree" are among the best that I've read in long time.
"The Magical Arts Journal"
This book strives to explain "The Art and Business of Magic" and largely succeeds. In fact, it's practically required reading for anyone who considering going pro.
The handsome and comprehensive book is actually a compilation of "The Magical Arts Journal" newsletters from 1986 to 1990 that includes articles about and by a who's who of magic of the era that includes: Dai Vernon, Larry Jennings, Tommy Wonder, Paul Harris, John Kennedy, Jay Sankey, John Cornelius, David Roth, Martin Gardner, Jamy Ian Swiss, Chris Kenner, Roberto Giobbi, Doc Eason, Eric Mead, Richard Sanders, Gary Kurtz and more. And there's lots of fantastic material from Michael Ammar.
On the business side, there are columns that discuss working restaurants, comedy clubs, cruise ships and tradeshows. Although the advice was written some 20 years ago, it's as relevant today as it was then, despite the advent of personal computers, databases, e-mail and the internet.
There are essays on performing magic and improving one's routines - I particularly enjoyed the insightful essays by Jamie Ian Swiss. The journals teach lots of effects. A stand out, the bar issue, featured tricks and advice by Doc Eason - among the most useful information about the topic that I have seen. There's another amazing issue dedicated to the work of Paul Harris that teaches his (at the time) close-up set (many of the routines are now classics).
Finally, there are the many essays and effects published by Michael Ammar. I recognized many from Ammar's later videos. But in the Journal, you get to see many of these published for the first time. This includes Ammar's bottle production, Dai Vernon's wand spin and more.
Since the newsletters are compiled as they were sent, I also enjoyed reading the vintage ads for magic products. It's almost like a time warp to see what was popular in the era, what was brand new and common now and effects that I had never before heard of.
"The Magical Arts Journal" is a powerful reference and an insightful and entertaining read. This is one worthwhile book that I'll be constantly referring to.
One Degree by John Guastaferro
John Guastaferro's excellent "One Degree" offers 20 first rate card routines and five insightful essays on connecting with audiences and improving one's magic. It's a classy book with great material. In addition to being a magician, Guastaferro works in advertising. And his background lends to some powerful themes and connections that add value to his first rate effects.
In the first couple of chapters, Guastaferro blends multiple effects into powerful close-up sets. My favorite was the first set and especially, its opener, "Truth in Advertising." In this card effect, you talk about the influence of advertising as individual playing cards and the deck print themselves and go blank. It's a great marriage between a fantastic trick and a brilliant idea that creates synergy. The second and third effects combine audience interactions with powerful card revelations to round out the set.
The second chapter explains a set that emphasizes interaction with audience members. I like the four-card production that can be used for a multiple card control and revelation or to produce four of a kind of your choosing. The third chapter presents three excellent routines with "four of a kinds" that ends with a "traveler's" sequence to the pockets of your jacket. Most memorable is an "invisible" palming of a card that appears to be caught in mid vanish in your hand. Hard to explain but an amazing idea.
In the next set, I liked "Key Club," a five-way multiple out that is cleverly self-contained on a key ring that you can always carry with you. In the book, Guastaferro delves into classic "Triumph." There's also a chapter on useful card moves.
The hardcover book features first rate and thorough explanations and lots of pictures. It's a handsome book that is elegant in every way. I highly recommend this one.
More Reading
Book Review: Restaurant Magic Reader by Jim Sisti
Book Review: Scripting Magic by Pete McCabe
Comments