Happy Face by Paul Romhany

Alright, let's take a look at some of the pros and cons. First let's discuss what you receive then we will get into the routine and the accompanying DVD.

When you purchase Happy Face you receive a 5 cards, printed on very thin stock, that measure about 5.5" by 8.5" semi-glossy on one side only. The lack of coating on both sides means that some cards with faces on them have a semi-glossy face on one side and the same card changes to have a new face with a dull side. Perhaps a small detail but something to consider nonetheless. I would have opted for the extra few bucks to produce the cards with semi-gloss coating on both sides it just lends a better feel and look. I'm also bit concerned with the durability of these cards. They are very thin. I was hoping for something a bit thicker or possibly even something plastic coated or laminated for longer lasting props.

Alright, the cards are a very nice size, easily handled and the provided routine is dead simple. Unfortunately we do not see Mr Romhany performing this for a real live audience. It would have been nice to see what Mr Romhany gets out of this item in a real paid performance.

The effect is this, 4 cards with sad faces are shown, and placed on display. Two of the 4 cards placed down are faces towards the audience and two have their backs towards the audience. The last remaining card is a smiley card! By rubbing the smiley card against the frowning cards they each change into smiley cards as well. This is of course a variation on the classic Wild Card plot by Peter Kane.
Nothing particularly spectacular is taught in this trick, you are really paying for the cards and the smiley/sad idea. I tried this out for a few youngsters and they were quite receptive to it. I'm sure with a little work you could make this a good routine in your children's program.
Mr Romhany mentions on the back of the DVD that he uses it for his Humor Seminars, which is all nice and dandy, except he never teaches it, explains about it, or performs it! This was a let down. For those of you looking to purchase this item for any humor seminar, don't expect to get a presentation from this Trick/DVD.
Onto the actual DVD, which is shot in Mr Romhany's living room with a handheld camcorder. That being said, the video quality is quite good. Mr Romhany presents the trick and uses an artist's easel to hold his cards up, this is great but unfortunately they are expensive and the only solution given on this DVD is take a piece of cardboard and putting a section along the bottom for the cards to rest on. I suppose it would work but I would hope for something bit better than a piece of cardboard or two.
The presentation is fine, but basic, it is clear that this has been performed for audiences before by Mr Romhany. One this that did bother me was the errors made during the explanation. Mr Romhany apparently didn't prepare a script for the explanation and it is clearly seen when he flubs up a few times. Why didn't he just shoot it again? I'm really not sure but the errors seem significant enough to me to do a second take.

All in all, this routine could be good for the children's performer but I would not consider performing this for an audience of adults, especially considering no routine for adults is really given despite the mention of one on the package.

The DVD is short and the routine could be learned in a one or two viewings at most. The sleights involved are a glide and a double lift. Mr Romhany teaches both, part way through the whole packet is turned over which is made out to be a move. I thought this drew too much attention and could easily be replaced with a gentle turn of the body or lowering the cards down and lifting them back up reversed.

For the $29.95 price tag I think your money could be better spent on other items. If you are looking for a piece for your children's shows, this might be worth taking a look at. I'd recommend viewing the demo which is taken right from the DVD HERE .

If you find this routine might be right for you then 30 bucks might be worth it but it seems like a 15-20 dollar item at most especially considering the low quality cards provided. For the 30 dollars I would hope digital files of the card be included in case you wanted to make more cards when these wore out, which I assume would be within a few months for any working children's performer.

Not recommended for anyone but the children's performer and only if Mr Romhany were to provide a link to download the files and print your own cards as well.

Happy Face sells for $29.95 from Hocus-Pocus Magic or Paul himself at http://www.paulromhany.com/

On a happier notes, the music on the DVD was very pleasant! I would have liked to have that in a format I could use, it sounds similar to most royalty free music but you'd have to confirm with Mr Romhany

A Review of an older book...

Actually, it's a set of lecture notes. I am a big fan of books in magic, they are efficient, beautiful, and often contain the detail and excellent tricks that people are looking for! The practical stuff, a magician's life of magic in a volume. Any magician who has accumulated a significant library knows there are certain hidden gems. Specific books that people disregard, but you know better than that. Under appreciated works full of information most people are constantly looking for.

A common day example would be the Dale Carnegie book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. I recently found a set of lecture notes by Denny of Denny and Lee's in a bargain bin at my local brick and mortar.

Let me tell you first what these notes are not, they are not full of tricks (there are actually no tricks at all!), this set of notes is a very concise clear set of instructions on defining yourself in the magic world and making a real living from magic.

My first impression was that these notes are dated, and this is true in many ways, the advice on using a tape player instead of recorder for example. Also these were written in a time before the Internet, so no info on that either.

But this book does write a few things that are must knows, a formula for a "club date act", how to charge 5 times more than everyone else doing close up magic and have the client be HAPPIER about it!
Some great tips on getting your publicity together, although he advocates black and white photos over colour, I'm not an expert in this field but from an expert, Paul Romhany, states in his cruise ship book, that a black and white is advisable but colour photos are worth the extra cost. I would wager that the artistic integrity and feel of the photo lends itself to being either black and white or color. Take a peek through some posters at a music store and you will see black and white and color ones, if either were the other way (black and white being in color instead) they would lose a certain flavor I'm sure.
The notes are 41 pages in length, and to be honest I was slapped in the face after reading these notes. The ins and outs of performing magic for a living are all covered and I couldn't be happier!

I would highly recommend these notes, although I would love to see them updated. At 12.50 from Denny and Lees I don't know how any working pro or wanting to be working magician can afford to be without these notes. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get them!

Update: L and L Publishing and The Pendragon DVDs

I am happy to say that L and L publishing has signed on and will be sending the Pendragon DVDs on Illusions for review.

To all other potential product producers, I will begin reviewing items within one week of receiving them.

Update: Review Items

I see people are starting to vote in the poll I have set up. I will be reviewing tricks in the near future, including, Happy Face by Paul Romhany, The Shakespeare Experiment by Todd Karr, and Cardiographic Signature Edition by Martin Lewis.

Until then I'd like people to know that I have contacted Stephen Minch, L and L Publishing, and The Pendragons to review DVDs and books that have recently hit the shelves. I will post updates as these suppliers choose to sign on or not.

Update: Miracle Factory News

I have just heard great news from Todd Karr. He will be submitting a whole host of products for review. I will not be reviewing the very exclusive items from Todd Karr as I believe a certain amount of secrecy should surround products like that. I will be reviewing the Erdnase Scroll though as I am a big fan of all that is Erdnase! Products to be reviewed will include the DVD and CDs from Miracle Factory, The Shakespeare Experiment (Which I have yet to find a real honest review on) and hopefully The Erdnase Scroll.

Again anyone who would like products reviewed please email me first.

Update: A Paul Romhany Update!

I have been in touch with Paul Romhany following the review of his book and have some wonderful news! First, Paul is doing very well financially and the startled feel at the cheap prices was because of the shock at how inexpensive things in South America were, not so much today sadly. Also Paul is a "citizen of the world" you can google it to find out more information about that. I am also very happy to let people know that Paul is sending me a copy of Lunch is Served his new book on the out to lunch principle. I will be reviewing it as soon as I receive it and look forward to more releases from Paul.

Anyone else liking a review of an item can email me and we can discuss it then. Also a big THANK YOU to Paul for appreciating that this review site is not the pat on the back boys club that we seem to finding so frequently in magic magazines available at your favorite magic store or mailbox.

Entertaining on a cruise ship: The Ultimate Guide

I've always been a fan of business books in magic. Unfortunately my magic brethren often do not share the same feelings. So with that in mind let me introduce you to Paul Romhany's most recent book, Entertaining on a Cruise Ship: The Ultimate Guide.

For many magicians the cruise industry seems like a dream come true. This can be the case but it is also hard work. Aside from seemingly high pay, the industry also has a high school feel to it in terms of on ship politics as Mr. Romhany explains. You also need a truly spectacular act... 2 of them. So before you consider jumping in to cruising remember that you need 2 acts 50 minutes each and perhaps another 15 minute act, all A material. Without this you have no chance. So if you don't have this already, you might be better off working on the stage shows before diving into a book on how to book shows you are not able to work yet. That being said, if your GOAL is to be on ships then this book is a must buy at 30 bucks it's a deal and a half. As per usual I will be hyper critical where necessary.

Let's take a quick peek at some basics of the book. You can buy it at Amazon.com for 29.95 which should get you free shipping. So buy it there if you choose to. Second the book is a misleading 265 pages in length. We will discuss this more later on.

Let's take a quick peek at the table of contents for this book.

Chapter One is a history of cruising, the ships, and the destinations. Not a must have in this book but I actually enjoyed reading the history behind it.

Chapter Two Dives into the life you could live on a ship. Whether or not you are a passenger or crew, nightclubs on board, your potential accommodations, dos and don't, etc. A great chapter for prepping but really I was more anxious to find out magic related specifics.

Chapter Three is a good look at things you need to know, who people are on board, there positions and power, who to be nice to, etc. This is the chapter I was looking for because it discusses at length, Requirement of Shows, Length and Number of Shows, Your Schedule, Performance Material, Cue Sheets, Live Animals, Theatre conduct, Contracts, Dress Code Gratuities on board, Money, Passports, Selling DVDs of your show or teaching DVDs, baggage, Even how to travel with a guest who IS NOT part of the act for a small fee, How much money you can make (You will likely turn here first so I will ruin it, 1500-3000 per week US Dollars, but your agent will take 10-15%, something to keep in mind).

Romhany does a good job of being honest with you about cruising. Some books glorify everything, this book does not. Sea sickness, disease and viruses on board, what type of visas you need. (Romhany is from New Zealand, lives in Canada but is a resident of nowhere, so pays no taxes. A very strange place to be in for anyone!)

There is also a great section on EXACTLY what you need to find work on ships. This was a fantastic section! This is not all business Romhany goes into relationship issues. What about cruising with a wife or kids at home? That's a lot of problems potentially!

We also get a few travel tips, which covers things like viruses on board and then we get to a fun chapter. Cruise Line Entertainment Bookers. This is the chapter that is very difficult to put a price on. Essentially it is priceless. Certainly worth 30 bucks at this point. To me at least. But we are only on page 101!

Okay, now Romhany talks to us about some business ideas, professionalism, attitude while on the job, Dress, Performance, Preparation, Back up shows, Promoting yourself, business cards, brochures, photos, websites, even free publicity.

We are at about page 123 and my biggest complaint has to be the lack of editing. The book is riddled with spelling and grammar errors, it makes the book very difficult to take seriously sometimes. I suppose this is the bi product of self-publishing. While it has opened the door to everyone to become an author it has also dropped the quality control tremendously.

Paul, you need to send your books for review by friends before publishing!!

There are over 15 errors within less than 50 pages. That is way too many in my mind.

My favorite has to be on page 157, this is the "Excerpts from Journal" Chapter, and we start with.

"Note: This section has been taken direct from my journals - no editing has been
applied in order to keep it real."

I am a fan of keeping it real, that is what this review site is all about! But I like to keep it real easy to read and real professional. This book should have been sent to a professional proofreader. Also, after about page 125, it is a lot of blog entries, journal excerpts and stories, including a section entirely dedicated to cruise ship jokes, which are funny. It just seems a lot of pages are used poorly. The blog chapter is 11 pages long, too much if you ask me, then the journals run another 43 pages!! WHOA 43 pages of journal entries! This was too much.

But reading them did give me insight into Paul Romhany the man. They often focused on the price of things and how cheap things were, which leads me to believe that perhaps the money you make on cruise ships looks like a lot but somehow isn't then again I know very little about Mr. Romhany's personal finances. To me it just sounded like the money working a ship isn't as great after the fact as it sounds.

I would love to be in a position to be on a ship performing to let people know first hand what costs are like and how much you come home with. When it comes to cruising the only alternative to this book seems to be Fred Becker's book, The Cruise Ship Magician's Handbook, but it is difficult to find, Mr. Becker doesn't even have any for sale! He should consider republishing perhaps.

I would recommend this book by Paul Romhany to anyone with 2 solid 50 minute stage acts or a VERY intense desire to work cruise ships. If you are merely curious then pass on this book. I should also mention Romhany has thrown in a handful of magic tricks and routines in the back of the book. One I will be using immediately is the production of a bottle of wine at the end of a paper balls over the head routine. The tricks are decent but I wouldn't buy the book for the tricks. At 30 dollars this book is a steal if you ARE SERIOUS about cruising. Otherwise spend your money on Rick Marcelli's book, it would do more for your career over all than this book will. Paul's book is available from Amazon.com with free shipping in the US. Rick Marcelli's book can be bought here

Update: Voting

I'm glad to see people voting on here. I'd also like to let people know that if they would like an item reviewed please email me via erdnasestudent@gmail.com and I will let you know how we can continue. Also the voting on our poll for what types of things to review is very important for me to know where people's interests lie. So for those voting please email me and let me know if there is specific magic you'd like reviewed.

Verbal Magic by Juan Tamariz

The other books I have reviewed so far have had rather lengthy reviews. This book is a little bit different. I am going to attempt a rather brief review and see how I feel about it afterwards.

This is a remarkably difficult and amazing book to read. Sometimes the effects are mind blowing and other times you get the feeling the effect is a little bit childish and perhaps something is lost in translation or perhaps it is cultural. But I have never had so much fun fooling myself over and over again with the items in this book! I would recommend it ONLY to those who will be doing magic remotely, or to those who want to fool themselves and experience a childlike joy that we had upon our initial introduction to magic.
This book is a compilation of translated tricks that Juan delivered to audiences over the radio in Spanish. So you can imagine that a little bit will be lost to an English speaking audience. That is understandable. Many of the tricks float around an oil and water idea with cards separating. I enjoyed playing with many of the effects and some of them just left me bored, so I skipped them. But one thing is for sure, this book is a treasure trove of cool trick that will fool YOU! I've rarely come across a book like this.

Anyone who reads this bad boy, and likes it, would do well to get copies of Impuzzibilities and Further Impuzzibilities by Jim Steinmeyer. Both are very cheap and have very fun routines!
If you have every wanted to magic over the phone then the set of three books mentioned will be a treasure trove!

*Also if anyone has any other titles similar to these in nature please let me know! I'd love to read, review, and recommend them if they are good! Even individual items from magazines would be nice. Thanks!!*

So in short, this book will teach you the tricks by following along exactly as written, I first did them with my partner beside me following my reading from the book, cards in hand, and they all worked! I tried again with a conference call and found the tricks from Verbal Magic were better received than those from the Impuzzibilities books but I am sure that it was presentational and some refining could turn all these tricks into amazing miracles! That being said I would not be surprised to see many YouTube videos performing the tricks from Verbal Magic. It would be nice to see Juan doing a few videos like that online for us to follow along so the impostors get squashed before they ruin this brilliant, fun book!

For a nice change of magic, go get this book, then call a buddy on his cell phone and make sure he's got some business cards or better yet a deck of cards!

Mind Blowing by James Biss

I'm going to start off in a rather unorthodox order. In reading my previous review it struck me that there was A LOT of reading before you got to a conclusion. So I am going to begin each review with my recommendation for those with little time and then elaborate.

As a magician mentalism never struck me as particularly fun to perform, and it still doesn't. I'm much more in touch with magic as a visual or physical medium. That being said this is truly one of the very very few book on mentalism I can work my way through without wanting to slit my wrists.

I'd buy this book again even with the DIY aspect of many things and the few expensive gadgets to buy to utilize this book properly. If you DON'T want to spend extra money don't buy this book there will be about 500 bucks in extras to buy if you want to do EVERYTHING in this book, possibly more. I HIGHLY recommend this book for many reasons, the most prominent for EVERY performer being:

Part Seven-Mental Devices

Mind Changer Bags

"The Mind Changer Bag is a transparent plastic force bag. Unlike most change bags available they look completely innocent because they are made from ordinary Ziplock-type bags." Detailed instruction on how to make this with images is included.

Remote Control Change Packs

This is a modern version of the magicians double envelope. Created using those padded mailers from the post office. Opaque and brilliant in design. Again a great deal of detail in how to make these yourself, and I highly recommend you do.

Felt Tip Thumb Tip

A secret writing device similar to a swami but allows you to write in felt tip marker. A vast improvement. Who on stage write with pencil and expects the audience to see it?

The Rock Star Writer

Similar in concept to the above writer but allows you to use just about any type of writing implement. Also explains the use of one which appears to be marker and is easily wiped away afterwards. Very clever!

Loonie Page Force

Using a coin (loonie is the slang term for a Canadian dollar), Mr. Biss teaches you how to do a book test on the spot. I believe this idea might have been published before but don't have a reference to compare to. If anyone knows I'd love to hear from you.

Magical Markers

This details the construction of a magnetic marker, I needn't say more.

Digital Retrieval Devices

I enjoyed this so much I'm not going to comment on it. It is diabolical, the biggest leap in mentalism in 100 years.

Okay, now for some other info, the book is the same as Mr. Biss' first book Messing With Minds in that all the effects are presented and the methods explained at the end of each chapter. Contrary to most books with effect, method, effect, method, etc. Personally I find this particularly frustrating to read. That is a personal opinion, mind you, and I would not be surprised if those not familiar with previous magic literature found it to be easier to choose material. I suppose it depends how you read your magic books. I'd like to make one more complaint, the effects are described in GREAT detail, which for the performer skimming for something makes it a very involved process to read through 4-5 pages of just the effect/script as seen by the audience. It would be nice to have a brief high-concept sentence or two. For example,
"Reproduce thought of images by spectators without any assistance."

Part One of this book is a series of intriguing essays.

It appears as though Mr. Biss is quite spiritual and it is reflected strongly in his writing, I'd also assume rather left wing, but nonetheless the essays are well written and the points are quite fascinating with regards to bullies on stage, progression as a performer and various looks at topics like Verbal vs. Visual, Matter vs. Method, Empowering vs. Egotistical, etc. I particularly enjoyed this part of the book.

Part Two details the Impressionable Mind Board.

A utility device available for about 60-70 bucks from your favorite magic supplier (who has it in stock). It is a white plastic board with the ability to provide drawings for you made be the audience. It is a great prop but with all the devices explained in the book and about 32 pages devoted to a 10 minute, minimalist routine which is also our first introduction to the mentalism in this book, you'd expect instructions on how to make one would be included. Otherwise don't make it the first tricks in the book! Now the routine if very good, very very good, and it will fool the magi in your life. But shouldn't the first tricks be performable right away? The routine is a solid routine but please don't detail the tricks which are available to me when I have to purchase the board, it wastes paper and time.

Part Three, ESP Mind Set

This is an introduction to ESP cards and a plug for Magication, the producer of large, stage suitable, vinyl ESP cards. We open with a few pages of the history of ESP cards, more specifically JB Rhine's story. The effects to follow are good effects but I could see some not liking them. A design duplication to the Nth degree, out of this world with esp card, and a routine requiring double backed ESP cards that I just couldn't read through. There are a number of either grammatical or logical errors that I wasn't in the mood for, sorry. Again I am a touch perturbed by the author for presenting something requiring me to purchase magic specific items from a dealer. So far you can do nothing from this book without going out and buying a few magic props. That's all fine an dandy, the routine are good, but for the magic enthusiast this might be discouraging and this book might find it's way to a shelf near you or to someone else's shelf via E Bay.

Part Four, Saving the White Taggers

Once more the tricks in this section require you to have Mind Changer Envelopes, something you will have to make or purchase, most of the routine could be done without though. The routine as it insinuates requires a "tagger" label maker, but the routines produced are brilliant. unfortunately again nothing that can be done without a bit of leg work. The routines are remarkable mind you, drawing random things written down and sealed in an envelope left with a spectator and finally asking the spectator to pull out a random one, which you immediately duplicate! A spectator successfully reads a crystal ball and the numbers another spectator has dialed on his phone, and fortune cookies successfully predict information. Now, there is a bitching recipe for fortune cookies in this book, so top marks there! The effects as you read them above are diabolical and there methods even better. I'd say the run around is worth it for sure.

Part Five, Psychic Segues

A compilation of tricks and thoughts on mentalism including a sudoku effect, how modern and pop culture appropriate! "If you really are psychic why don't you pick the lottery numbers?" I assume a common question to mentalists. Well Mr. Biss does just that! We also have a few impromptu-esque tricks to perform with much less preparation than the previous tricks mentioned. An interesting take on the Koran Medallion type effect, a card revelation with breasts (always fun). I've omitted a few tricks for you to find out about yourself.

Part Six, The Tesla Vision Files

This chapter interested me particularly because of the types of tricks. First, you have eyes closed back to a couple spectators on stage and you successfully with back turned determine who put their hand up by free will and which shoulder they tapped and how many times...
Finding a spectators keys hidden in the audience while you aren't looking. We get a tale of Nikola Tesla and Tesla vision and finally the methods for these effects, which I must admit shocked me pleasantly.

Smoke and Mirrors by Rick Marcelli

This book has received some significant hype but with one key problem. I have yet to find a review for it in a major magic magazine. Okay, so the book has yet to be reviewed by the big shots, Magic and Genii, but wait... that's odd, Magic gave Rick Marcelli a spread in the magazine to promote his book and it doesn't appear to be a paid advertisement. Something isn't right here. Let's take a look at this books introduction to the market. The first advertisement for this book was on page 3 of Magic magazine, and pg 49 of Genii both September 2008. Naturally this issue of Magic also contains an article by Mr. Marcelli on page 52, The Secrets of Show Biz, which gives your essentially some well edited excerpts from the book. A very good article for those wanting to know the feel of this book and type of information. October 2008 Magic Magazine has another ad on page 41 for the book but no article by Mr. Marcelli, an ad on pg 49 in Genii and once again no reviews! Nov. 08, Magic Magazine, ad on page 31, Genii magazine ad on pg. 46 but no reviews... no more ads from here on and as you can imagine no reviews!



This is a very unfortunate start for this book. The author claims he is David Copperfield's first manager and this is true. In forums online (The Magic Cafe) Rick Marcelli takes a bit of flack and Charlotte Pendragon chimes in on his behalf. There is something seriously strange going on here. Did all the magic magazines choose to ignore this book? It certainly seems that way.



Here is my take on this book. The book is a slim softcover book, 8.5 by 11, About 140 pages long. Here is where it gets scary, 75 bucks! 100 if you'd like it personally autographed. I will say this though, that includes shipping to the US and Canada. Which is an added bonus I suppose. I purchased the 75 dollar option.



The book is true to it's word, Secrets of Becoming a STAR in Magic! Let's take a peek at the table of contents shall we?



Ch. 1 Getting Started

Ch. 2 Getting Your Act Together

Ch. 3 Do You Need Representation?

Ch. 4 It's All In The Package

Ch. 5 What Makes a Star

Ch. 6 Show Biz Secrets for Magicians (sound familiar?)

Ch. 7 The Present

Ch. 8 The Future of Variety and Magic

Ch. 9 People I Sometimes Agree With

Ch. 10 Reading and Resources

Ch. 11 List of Contacts

Ch. 12 Final Thoughts



Well there it is, but at 140 pages this certainly seems like a lot of chapters and therefore not a lot of information per heading. Our first chapter takes us down the life story of the author, why you ask? Because it is to make a point, all celebrities were just like you and I at one point.



Our next chapter gets more into it! How to build an act, this means what lengths of time each trick should be and how long the act should be (20 minutes is suggested). We also go into some priceless information, including! How to spot trends in pop culture and television, where people really make it. If you want to be famous you have to be on TV there is no question about it. You also need to take risks and develop a persona, fortunately it is clearly explained how to do that.



Chapter three, Do YOU Need representation? In short, if you have an act, a look, and a promo package, YES you do need representation. This chapter goes into much more detail. A very good read! Truly lays out what your manager does and doesn't do. We finish this chapter with a five-step plan to jump-start your career at any level, it is very accurate and it works!



Chapter four, your promo package. It is covered in here head to toe. I'm not going to go into too much detail as that is the purpose of this book but it lays out everything you need, from what promo you need, how to get the best quality photos, even photographers to research to get pose ideas, website or no website? Choosing photos, writing bios, Video all these are addressed. I hate to say it but this really is invaluable to any performer! I'd pay the price of the book for this chapter alone.



Chapter five, What makes a star? If you ever wanted to know this chapters answers it. Enough said.



Chapter six, Show Biz Secrets for Magicians. Want to know why you aren't as big a success and the talk of the town as you think you deserve? This chapter has some answers, how to be professional (might surprise you), timing your career, your big break(s)!, it's all in here. This is where Magic magazine got there chapter from. I'd recommend reading Magic Sept. 08 to get some info before the big buy.



So far we are on page 60 roughly, the rest of the book is a little bit odd. Next we have a chapter titled The Present, a strange chapter telling us where big name magicians are, Las Vegas. Also where is Rick Marcelli now? It is clear that writing this book was about stroking one's own ego as much as providing very real, practical information. Chapter eight present Rick's assumptions about Magic in the future. Sort of useless for the time being but I suppose it is an assumption to consider.



After this we have a VERY long chapter titled, People I sometimes agree with. This is tales, stories, and testimonials from Rick's friends telling you how great he is. A bit tacky if you ask me. We signs of ego stroking going on. The pretentious title to this chapter doesn't help either. These tales go on for 37 pages!! Holy shit!



Following this we have reading resources, a VERY good chapter with fantastic book recommendations. I happened to own many of the titles given and they are truly spectacular reads. So my hat is off for this list!



The list of websites on the other hand is useless, I know pages like the Genii and Magic magazine websites, The Magic Circle website is not a needed website, anyone who has visited this site would agree it is utterly useless unless I wanted to book the space, not to mention the actual location only allows magicians to visit 1 night per week... Truly a shame!



The chapter on contacts is terrible, it is a list of magic clubs around the world basically, a contact name and phone number with address if available.



So you might think I am being harsh on this little book, I think it is a brilliant book, well the first half is. The second half could have been easily edited down to a handful of pages or improved. I don't need to know magic club info I am more interested in agents perhaps. Where to find agents and their information, the proper way to contact them etc.



I truly like, perhaps even love this book! It delivers what it promises and the information is invaluable IF you are a dedicated magician trying to make something of yourself. It will help you form a nice career. No doubt about it there. But you can't expect to do it being a lazy ass.



At 75 bucks I'd say it is steep compared to other magic books. You'd expect a hardbound book with glossy paper and colour photos perhaps. Well, this isn't a magic book, it's a business book and a small text book targeted to magicians. There are no tricks to perform, just tricks for success and real world advice from a real manager in the business. I do feel the book is a must buy, but 75 bucks is hefty. I'd say it would have flown off the shelves at $55 with a couple reviews in 2 unnamed magic magazines (Where's JIS when you need him?).



So the verdict? NOT GUILTY. If you are serious about performing magic on stage and making it a career, go buy this book, 75 bucks is not a lot of money compared to a career in magic and this information and advice will CERTAINLY improve your career!



Available at Smoke and Mirrors Book for $75 USD don't bother getting it signed.

Update: Three books for review

I am going to open this blog with reviews of 3 semi recently released books. I have yet to find good reviews on them myself and as such I am dishing the dirt on the following titles:

Verbal Magic by Juan Tamariz

Mind Blowing by James Biss

Smoke and Mirrors by Rick Marcelli

All three books have some hype and hoopla surrounding them. So let's set the record straight for each book over the next week.