talkmagic.co.uk

I am no good at writing reviews and I can't follow that template thing which is beyond my understanding.

I shall simply say that I recently acquired one of those e-book things that I hate with a passion. It is called Skills that Pay the Bills and the title attracted me.

It is a neat little book with a lot of practical material written up nicely by a full time professional who does nothing else for a living. There seems to be something for everyone there.

The sheer practicality of the book prompted me to write this little review. I don't normally comment on books but on this occasion I thought I should.

I think it is a good buy and it costs a mere $30 which in British money is around 15 quid. There are only about 60 pages but not a word is wasted.

The author is a British expatriate and can be found at orders@magicsells.com

Looking at the website it seems the cost is actually $25

The magician in question is James Munton

So, Mark - maybe you could discuss a couple of the effects or ideas that are included in the book. You actually have said very little except for the fact it has a lot of practical material in it. Tell us about some of this practical material...

Actually I would far rather talk about my own book which is infinitely more important than Munton's. The trouble is that I haven't bloody written it yet and it is sheer purgatory doing so. It is called The Lives of a Showman and will be published by David Ben of Magicana in May of 2009 if I should ever finish the bloody thing. They are chattering about it on the Genii Forum and poor old Kaufmann nearly fainted with astonishment that David Ben who has published stuff about Stewart James, Herb Zarrow and Dai Vernon has added Mark Lewis to the list.

As for the Munton book I am afraid that I do have one mild criticism. There is one trick in it where he talks about nose emissions and I do not approve of such talk.

I have only just received the book so haven't had a chance to try out any of the material yet. I am merely of the opinion that it seems quite practical. James is always busy and earns pots of money so I think that in itself shows signs of practical material.

I am no good at book reviews but I think I will apply for the job at Genii Magazine just to annoy Kaufmann.

Mark,

Thank you for the kind words. Although, your second post wasn't nearly as helpful. I was wondering how long it would take you to start talking about yourself.

As for nose emissions, I feel they are an essential (and under-utilized) part of magic. I am not ready to tip my impromptu Card on Ceiling, but let's just say that magicians who suffer from nasal drip will discover they have a fantastic new weapon up their sleeve (or more correctly up their nose!)

The notes are indeed priced at $25.

There is a list of routines on the web site. Marked Cards is actually three different tricks in one.

Every single routine is a worker. They are routines I have performed hundreds if not thousands of times in my paid performances.

Originally I was going to sell each one individually for $5, but I have a rare lecture coming up so I decided to put them all together in one book.

I just wanted to remind my British brothers and sisters that although I now live in Texas, I am happy to pay for the cost of shipping to the United Kingdom. So if you decide to buy something else on my site (I can strongly recommend Hollywood Squares and Three Card Bunny in particular) you'll have it shipped at lightening speed and for no extra cost!

I had no idea this site existed, so I'm looking forward to browsing. Any place that allows Mark Lewis to remain a member is either completely bonkers or quite wonderful.

James Munton wrote:I am not ready to tip my impromptu Card on Ceiling, but let's just say that magicians who suffer from nasal drip will discover they have a fantastic new weapon up their sleeve (or more correctly up their nose!)

Sounds yummie, James! If you're going to pick a winner, let me know.

Good grief, Starsini's here as well?

Oh we all are. Kimmo is wandering about as well.

It won't take them long to figure out that you put me up to the review in exchange for you bringing my thread back to the top on the magic cafe.

However now that you are here you can make up for my lukewarm review of your book by telling everyone yourself about how wonderful it is.

I still stand by my statement that the material is quite practical even though I haven't actually read any of it. Apart from the disgusting remarks about nose emissions in the book I did think it was worth reading and I will concede that it seemed well written.

You ARE a professional performer who does nothing else for a living so that in itself must make your material worthy of consideration. And I DO stand by my statement that not one word is wasted.

I also consider you have done a wonderful service to magic by forming that wonderful abratube thing. And this is one of your less greedy ventures although in the end it will make you money because it raises your profile among magicians.

Now that I have thoroughly discredited my own review I think I had better let you take over since I seem to be making a mess of things.

I would have done a far better job of it if you hadn't put those nose emissions in the book.

What a pointless thread so far!!

You see, Mark, you've ruined everything.

Now you've upset Mr. I.D.

Dear I.D,

Ignore Mark Lewis. I think your time would be much better spent buying my lecture notes and studying them with a passion. I think you would especially enjoy my book test which uses a unique method and allows you to use any book. No peeks, no magnets, no threads.

It also has an entertaining presentation which is so lacking in much of magic today. I have a hunch presentation is important to you. Your goal is to assist your audiences on a journey as they experience the wonder of a powerful mentalism effect. Yet you are also a storyteller, I sense. One who uses your art for a greater purpose.

I think we are very similar in many ways even though I know nothing of you. It is just a feeling. I hope I am correct.

I accept PayPal.

Best,
James

My God you sound just like mark lewis!! Except me and Mark have nothing in common. He just doesnt know that..

Presentation is very important to me and thats why Im currently reading Darwin Ortiz Strong Magic

I think I'll give your book a miss, or put on hold till we get a proper review. But all the best James...

This thread is getting increasingly surreal. I don't know quite what to make of it.

My God you sound just like mark lewis!!

Please say it isn't so. I've been spending far too much time in his company.
I need a vacation.

By the way, if you would like a totally credible review of one of my other products, check this out...

Cheers,
James

I have James Munton's lecture notes, and they really are superb. At around 6O pages, it is more like a book. As Mark Lewis seems awfully keen on promoting his new book, I thought I should chime in with information about my new book.

www.SpiritualStage.com

Just four the record, Mark, James and Myself are all of British heritage, although we have all taken up residence on a different continent! JR

Why is it nobody can say something nice about my lecture notes without plugging their own bloody book?

James

Why is it nobody can say something nice about my lecture notes without plugging their own bloody book?

James, old chap..........I said your lecture notes were superb! It is not possible for anyone to give a review of either Mark Lewis's book or my book, as they have not yet been written. When my book is eventually written and published, I would be more than happy for you to give it a nice review, and mention your lecture notes at the same time!! Now, don't get your knickers in a twist!! JR