I'm not finished with it yet. About 155 pages in, and it is a joy to read, although I don't necessarily know all the words and have to stop at times to look up the word here and there. I think close-up or not anybody can get a lot out of the advice in this book. And although he doesn't talk about methods, he talks about how and even where he is hiding them which is more important. I feel that he reveals all the truly important secrets, since we don't need him for the methods. The methods he uses are all pretty standard anyways.
@EruditeMagic11 ай бұрын
Glad you like it - thanks for the comment!!
@AnthonyMetivierMMM Жыл бұрын
Bring on the big vocabulary. I’ve been reading 80s sci fi lately, and even if some things are stale, the word range is much more interesting. I haven’t read this one, but it seems like it would have wider appeal than just magicians and mentalists based on your description. I only saw him once and there was indeed a hangup in the show. But probably only people who know about dual reality, multiple outs and how obvious certain props can be to some extra attentive skeptics noticed D.B. squirm. I thought he handled it marvellously, all things considered.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
I hope you enjoy the book! 👍
@sc24evrАй бұрын
The book is back on sale in hardback on derren’s site!
@EruditeMagicАй бұрын
Thanks for the heads up!
@Davlavi3 ай бұрын
great review.
@SpeakerGregoryDwyer Жыл бұрын
Love the book and love buying old books from Don.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
And *I love to hear *that, Gregory! 💙
@waynewright2939 Жыл бұрын
@@EruditeMagic it has been a while since Don has done a discount… I keep waiting for a code lol 🤞🏼
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
I'll pass the word along! 😉
@MichaelCheney-nd3lt Жыл бұрын
Love the review. Got my copy earlier this week and while I have been too busy for much else, your review got me immediately into reading and note taking it. My copy (paperback) was a perfect copy and the packaging was intended to weather cross Atlantic travel.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
So glad to hear it - enjoy!!
@az7500 Жыл бұрын
Hey Jeff, your review is extremely helpful. I am hoping to get a copy when hardback edition is reprinted. I had an amusing encounter with Derren Brown. I went to see his show "Secrets" in NYC, caught a freesbee, went up as a volunteer....and after shaking my hand and inquiring about my profession ("Scientist"), he sent me back to my seat, stating something in the order "Apologies, but this is not going to work". LOL, but DB summarized our relationship status for many years to come.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
You may discover why he sent you back to your seat once you read the book...
@az7500 Жыл бұрын
@@EruditeMagic I prefer for this episode to remain a mystery.... it did not look very professional. It still bothers me that some of his TV presentations venture into the dark territory with use of stooges, paid actors, split screens and heavy editorial work.
@CraigDR Жыл бұрын
Fantastic review as always. Very thorough and thoughtful!
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@mysteriesinmind11 ай бұрын
This is the Erudite video I have been most excited about, and you didn't disappoint. I need to save nickels to get the paperback, but I'm psyched about it -- maybe especially because it isn't PERFECT, you know? Mentalism would be incredibly boring if it were!
@EruditeMagic11 ай бұрын
I'm so glad you liked it, Aden! Enjoy the book 👍👍
@davidalnwick Жыл бұрын
First off, great channel. If you can, do 'Our Magic,' it's one of the best. I was so looking forward to this review and it didn't disappoint. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a kick out of listening to a reviewer say the stuff I'm thinking, #validation. Totally agree, the book is damn fantastic. I can't wait to read it again. Regarding the controversy, price wise I think it's 'fine.' Ideally, I'd want this book in mainstream bookstores and have it sell for £10, because this is what young magicians should be reading. Still, I get it's niche, and the high price needs reflect that, and Derren is 'probably' the greatest living magician so his advice is worth it. Although yeah, my paperback copy felt low quality binding, which is a bit daft considering the price. Stylistically, I get it, the guy is a touring artist first and foremost. Formatting this book in any way other than diary style would have made it way more difficult to write, and as you mentioned his writing style is pretty great for it. I perform on stage full time, I do 3-4 shows a day at the Edinburgh Fringe festival every year (I'm here now) amounting to over 70 hour long performances (of three different shows) in 3 weeks. I'm lucky I get to do that, and I'm grateful for it. Reading Derren's stuff I felt 'seen', as the kids would say. The guy has gone through it all, and like you mentioned, it echoed my own experiences (and no doubt countless other performers). It's just nice to know you're not alone. As much of a privilege as it is, sometimes it's lonely on stage, and it's cathartic to know I'm not the only one who feels that. So yeah, 10/10 review for a 10/10 book. Lol, wouldn't it be a laugh if he just started releasing $5 downloads on penguin.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback and the validation the other way, David! Your punchline made me laugh 😆
@ExpertoenMagia Жыл бұрын
Great review. I almost finish my copy of the book and I personally found it very interesting and worth the price (magic books are expensive in general). I am from Spain and I am surprise to hear that Derren´s writing style is also difficult for english native speakers 🤣
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
It's not *necessarily difficult, but it could be if people aren't used to a British style
@thewiseturtle10 ай бұрын
Funny story, decades ago, Penn and Teller wrote a book that was cleverly also a set of magic tricks in and of itself. At some point soon after the book's release they showed up to the bookstore I worked at for their signing tour event. I had the unfortunate pleasure of letting them know that I'd discovered that there was a misprint on the back cover that made a trick fail. (Also, coincidentally, and not at all anything I had involvement with, basically no one showed up to the signing, because it apparently wasn't advertised!) While they were definitely not happy to hear my news, they were at least very generous and kind to me, and I got not just the book signed, but one of the event posters signed as well. So it's something to know that publishing a book is often likely to result in some sort of frustrating mistake that doesn't get picked up until well after it's been printed and delivered to the public's hands, no matter how careful and intelligent and attentive you might be.
@EruditeMagic10 ай бұрын
That's fascinating! Thanks for sharing your story 👍
@steveblack7552 Жыл бұрын
I purchased the paperback version as I assumed the delivery would be faster . The delivery from Derrens site was VERY slow and the communication awful. I did eventually receive an apology e-mail for the dispatch delay but no resolution . A possible explanation could be an under estimation of the popularity but it was unprofessional. I have now received my copy but it has unfortunately been confiscated by my wife until Christmas !!!!
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Sounds like it could have been a lot later, and you'd still be waiting until the same date to read it 😝
@Dr.Tinkerpaw5 ай бұрын
So I have an opportunity to drop a big chunk of money on a copy of Absolute Magic. But I've lived this long without it. Would I get as much or equal to from Notes From a Fellow Traveler? Darren's new book is still in print and under $100. Which I'm leaning towards, if it offers the same advice as the very expensive and out of print Absolute Magic
@EruditeMagic5 ай бұрын
They are not the same things. Absolute Magic focuses around the theory of presenting effective magic, while this book is geared more towards stagecraft, participant handling, structure of the show, etc., IMO.
@Dr.Tinkerpaw5 ай бұрын
@@EruditeMagic So what you're saying is, I need both.😃
@Ambo1009 ай бұрын
Would love to buy it but it seems very very expensive even for just the paperback version.
@EruditeMagic9 ай бұрын
Yeah, as I mentioned, he doesn't print many books, and this is intended to be a lifetime of lessons distilled into one book. I get it that it's pricey, and therefore won't be for everyone 🤷🏻
@Ambo1009 ай бұрын
@@EruditeMagic Have you read his other books like Tricks Of The Mind and Confessions of a Conjuror? I suppose they are more for the general population but I wondered if you had any thoughts on them?
@EruditeMagic9 ай бұрын
@Ambo100 I have not, since you are correct that they are for the general population. I'm more interested in books that are specifically for magicians and mentalists
@ScottRSmith1964 Жыл бұрын
I didn’t see a discount code for Don’s Magic and Books, did I miss it?
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
There wasn't one this week, Scott.
@ScottRSmith1964 Жыл бұрын
@@EruditeMagic thank you.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
You bet, my friend!!
@jonahberg9280 Жыл бұрын
What are your favourite Scott creasey effects
@eliyahuw Жыл бұрын
I heard this may be carried by American dealers at some point (so we wouldn't need to pay those exorbitant shipping rates). Any idea if that's true?
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Nope. But I doubt it 🤷🏻 I think Derren will continue to sell these himself, but that's just an opinion. I have no facts to back it up
@jonahberg9280 Жыл бұрын
Do you have billets for the modern mindreader by Julien losa and if so what do you think
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Nope 🤷🏻
@carlov574011 ай бұрын
Just an advise...DO NOT BUY IT if you are in europe. My book has been stuck at customs for the past 2 months and nobody knows how long will it takes.
@sashamagician11 ай бұрын
SAME!
@MexieMex Жыл бұрын
Is the writing style like Happy or more like his earlier books?
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Haven't read Happy, so couldn't comment. But, since it's not tricks, I assume it's like that
@MexieMex Жыл бұрын
@@EruditeMagic OK, let me phrase the question another way then. Does he appear to have an editor in this book? I really enjoy his two other magic books and his early non (fully) magic books, but Happy was such a slog to try and get through.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
@MexieMex yes, Alex Hansford is the editor. Also, James Hilston copy edited and proofread
@MexieMex Жыл бұрын
@@EruditeMagic Thanks, I'll probably pick up a copy at some point then.
@TheRealWinsletFan Жыл бұрын
It sold out in 6 minutes, not 15!
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
"under 15" - I didn't time it 😆 Thanks for the clarification!
@TheRealWinsletFan Жыл бұрын
@@EruditeMagic :-) I wasn't fast enough, by mere seconds. I had to wait for the second launch. But I got the hardback, and just finished it yesterday. Liked it very much. Your review is pretty much on point too .
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 👍
@ScottRSmith1964 Жыл бұрын
I think Darren is living off his previous books that sell at ridiculous prices because he printed a small amount of them. I believe he purposely printed a small amount to build up the hype. It’s more of a autobiography than a magic book and that tells me it is highly overpriced. Why is he so popular? I have never seen him perform, nor have I heard of him having a show in the USA. My biggest problem is that he is overcharging his fans for a few extra bucks. We as magicians that love books are letting the hype and shorting of the books take more of our money. I’ll skip it. As always, thank you Jeff. Your review reconfirmed my thoughts even though you love it. It would piss me off to see this book get book of the year for shorting his inventory and overcharging, but I could be alone.
@EruditeMagic Жыл бұрын
Hey Scott, I understand and appreciate your viewpoint, but I'm not sure that I can agree. I don't think the volume printed was low (intentionally or otherwise), but since this is not his primary business, he's learning from those mistakes. There are still plenty of the paperback version, so the book was not short printed. However, it's possible that they underestimated how much people would want the hardback. It happens. 🤷🏻 I further understand they are printing more, but it will take a few weeks to get them in. I think it's supposed to be the same price, but I haven't spoken directly to his team. His previous book releases were not on his own. H&R Books printed them, so he doesn't make any money when those books exchange hands in the secondary market. He has done two tours in NYC, and my wife and I had the privilege of seeing him there in September 2019. He's a great performer, and it was a wonderful show. I know you have often encouraged others not to write off magic clubs just because of a few bad apples. Similarly, I would tell you not to let other magicians' furor over a book color your opinion of Derren. He really is a great performer, and this is a wonderful book. Thanks for your time and consideration.
@sashamagician Жыл бұрын
Beautiful message Jeff!
@TheRealWinsletFan Жыл бұрын
Wut? Derren is not living off his previous books. They're in the seconds market, he gets no more cash from them, maybe still some more cachet, but only from magicians. I do wish he'd reprint Pure Effect though. I'd like own a copy and ditch the dodgy PDF scan I definitely don't have and have never seen.
@KevinGoosie Жыл бұрын
@@TheRealWinsletFanWish he would PDF that one!!
@ExpertoenMagia Жыл бұрын
Why is he so popular? Living off his previous books? I guess you dont know much about Derren or mentalism in general 😅