Paul Harris' Art of Astonishment

Voob · 18th August 2003, 03:38 AM

Do any of you own these books? I'm thinking of buying the set soon.
From what I've seen and heard, I think he's one of the greatest creative magic minds of the last 30 years, possibly the century.
Just when I think I've seen it all, he comes out with stuff that is among the best close-up tricks ever created.
What do you think?

Garrette · 18th August 2003, 07:20 AM

Just got them shipped to me a few weeks ago. Well worth it. A wide variety of effects, so far all involving cards but far more than just card tricks.

Some are only for the most serious card handlers, but a large enough number are within the realm of mortal magicians, and a few are even simple. Many, but not all, truly are astonishing as opposed to simply impressive.

homunculus · 30th August 2003, 05:54 AM

The Art of Astonishment books are the most prized in my collection. Anyone starts messing with those babies, they get their wrists slapped. A lot of it is also really easy to do. Check out Galaxy for an Out of This World-style, self-working effect which will blow people's socks off.

There is mentalism (The Million Dollar Mindreader is a favourite of mine, where a spectator writes a bunch of names down while you're out of the room, and you can immediately spot the one they're thinking of), all sorts of card tricks, and some real weirdies too (such as levitating the top half of a sandwich, or transferring the fizz from one cola can to another).

Buy them now. You won't regret it!

Paul.

Ian Rowland · 20th September 2003, 07:21 AM

Paul Harris is a genius.

The books are among the greatest available to the magic community and are fantastic value for money.

Get all three. You won't be wasting a cent.

homunculus · 23rd September 2003, 06:54 AM

Is that the "Full Facts..." Ian Rowland?

Hm.

Whatever you say, I'll be none the wiser. If you weren't and said you were, or were and said you were...well, it'd look the same to me, wouldn't it?

*sigh*

Paul.

18th August 2003, 03:38 AM	#1
Voob Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 316	Paul Harris' Art of Astonishment Do any of you own these books? I'm thinking of buying the set soon. From what I've seen and heard, I think he's one of the greatest creative magic minds of the last 30 years, possibly the century. Just when I think I've seen it all, he comes out with stuff that is among the best close-up tricks ever created. What do you think?
Voob Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 316

18th August 2003, 07:20 AM	#2
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927	Just got them shipped to me a few weeks ago. Well worth it. A wide variety of effects, so far all involving cards but far more than just card tricks. Some are only for the most serious card handlers, but a large enough number are within the realm of mortal magicians, and a few are even simple. Many, but not all, truly are astonishing as opposed to simply impressive.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,927

30th August 2003, 05:54 AM	#3
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93	homunculus The Art of Astonishment books are the most prized in my collection. Anyone starts messing with those babies, they get their wrists slapped. A lot of it is also really easy to do. Check out Galaxy for an Out of This World-style, self-working effect which will blow people's socks off. There is mentalism (The Million Dollar Mindreader is a favourite of mine, where a spectator writes a bunch of names down while you're out of the room, and you can immediately spot the one they're thinking of), all sorts of card tricks, and some real weirdies too (such as levitating the top half of a sandwich, or transferring the fizz from one cola can to another). Buy them now. You won't regret it! Paul.
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93

20th September 2003, 07:21 AM	#4
Ian Rowland New Blood Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20	Paul Harris is a genius. The books are among the greatest available to the magic community and are fantastic value for money. Get all three. You won't be wasting a cent.
Ian Rowland New Blood Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20

23rd September 2003, 06:54 AM	#5
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93	Is that the "Full Facts..." Ian Rowland? Hm. Whatever you say, I'll be none the wiser. If you weren't and said you were, or were and said you were...well, it'd look the same to me, wouldn't it? sigh Paul.
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93	__________________ "By the time God has been depersonalized to the point of being some abstract and timeless principle of beauty or goodness, it is hard to see how the existence of God could explain anything. What would be asserted by the 'explanation' that was not already given in the description of the wonderful phenomenon to be explained?" - Daniel C. Dennett