Authors: Scott Penrose and Stephen Short
(based on the original writings of Alan Shaxon before he died)
Publisher: self-published
MSRP: $60
Skill Level: intermediate / advanced
Page count: 197
Type of effect: Magic Book and Biography of Alan Shaxon
Manufacturer's Write Up:
Alan Shaxon and Anne entertained and mystified audiences all over the world with their magic act billed as "Sophisticated Sorcery". They met when they were young children and in 2006 celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. During their career together Alan and Anne made many friends in magic and won many awards in the USA as well as the UK.
Scott Penrose and Stephen Short have completed this book, which Alan had started before he sadly passed away in 2012.
Alan's life and career has been augmented by Stephen with many photographs and anecdotes from family and friends. Alan's friendship with Robert Harbin has been detailed.
Scott has updated and added clear and detailed illustrations to Alan's effect's including trademark effects such as The Hydrostatic Glass, Ultimate Nudist Deck and Aerial Fishing, which Alan kept secret from magicians during his career. Confabulation, which Alan created, is also explained in print for the very first time. In total there are more than 25 effects and routines from Alan's repertoire.
Key points:
This book is a wonderful addition to a magician's library who wishes to entertain with close-up, stage, cabaret or children's entertainment.
Is it well made: Beautiful hardbound book with photographs and easily readable illustrations
Is it well taught: Not everything was as clear as I would like it, but I have to consider that the author was from an older generation than myself - and that the editors were coming into the project late and with no instruction from the author.
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked):
Alan's most popular effects were: most popular tricks: aerial fishing, thumb tie and confabulation.
The first 100 pages are auto biographical about his life, great photographs and stories about the glory days of magic. The remainder of the book are tricks from his personal repertoire. Yes, a lot of them are tricks for stage, or tricks that are more suited to an age and era that is long since gone - but that's not the reason you would get this book.
You would get this book because Alan's name belongs next to the other greats of magic whose shoulders we all stand on. Plus it is an enjoyable insight into Alan's life and magic.
If you'd like to learn more you can visit alanshaxonbook.com
Overall score: 8/10
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link:
(based on the original writings of Alan Shaxon before he died)
Publisher: self-published
MSRP: $60
Skill Level: intermediate / advanced
Page count: 197
Type of effect: Magic Book and Biography of Alan Shaxon
Manufacturer's Write Up:
Alan Shaxon and Anne entertained and mystified audiences all over the world with their magic act billed as "Sophisticated Sorcery". They met when they were young children and in 2006 celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. During their career together Alan and Anne made many friends in magic and won many awards in the USA as well as the UK.
Scott Penrose and Stephen Short have completed this book, which Alan had started before he sadly passed away in 2012.
Alan's life and career has been augmented by Stephen with many photographs and anecdotes from family and friends. Alan's friendship with Robert Harbin has been detailed.
Scott has updated and added clear and detailed illustrations to Alan's effect's including trademark effects such as The Hydrostatic Glass, Ultimate Nudist Deck and Aerial Fishing, which Alan kept secret from magicians during his career. Confabulation, which Alan created, is also explained in print for the very first time. In total there are more than 25 effects and routines from Alan's repertoire.
Key points:
This book is a wonderful addition to a magician's library who wishes to entertain with close-up, stage, cabaret or children's entertainment.
Is it well made: Beautiful hardbound book with photographs and easily readable illustrations
Is it well taught: Not everything was as clear as I would like it, but I have to consider that the author was from an older generation than myself - and that the editors were coming into the project late and with no instruction from the author.
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked):
Alan's most popular effects were: most popular tricks: aerial fishing, thumb tie and confabulation.
The first 100 pages are auto biographical about his life, great photographs and stories about the glory days of magic. The remainder of the book are tricks from his personal repertoire. Yes, a lot of them are tricks for stage, or tricks that are more suited to an age and era that is long since gone - but that's not the reason you would get this book.
You would get this book because Alan's name belongs next to the other greats of magic whose shoulders we all stand on. Plus it is an enjoyable insight into Alan's life and magic.
If you'd like to learn more you can visit alanshaxonbook.com
Overall score: 8/10
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: