Absolute Magic - Derren Brown - HC, 2nd edition

Following the success of Pure Effect, Derren Brown offers a detailed study of the most difficult task facing any close-up magician: how to make magic convincing. This is a rich and witty journey through the thinking of Britain’s foremost current magical performer, whose television specials have revolutionized mentalism and drawn massive viewing figures. Absolute Magic offers the profoundest thinking, expressed in the most memorable and vivid prose, and is a necessary modern classic for the magician or mentalist striving to make his performances more powerful.

This is a manifesto for performing excellence, not a mere collection of routines. Those who study it carefully will find much practical information, not only on close-up magic (Derren’s emotion packed presentation for the floating ring, for example) and mentalism, but also his unique approach to theatrical pick-pocketing.Originally privately published by the author, Absolute Magic was only available directly from Derren via his password protected web site. Those fortunate few who were able to negotiate the web site and place their order have cherished their copies. With his performing career no longer affording him the luxury of filling orders, he has authorized its publication and the book is now available.

“If the author’s previous book, Pure Effect, was a challenge to the status quo of close-up magic, then Absolute Magic is an outright call to arms… he wants not only to alter the way we do our art and work, but he wants to transform the way we think and feel about it. …Mr. Brown also possesses considerable experience with pick-pocketing, a subject he explores in some technical as well as theatrical depth. There is some pragmatic contents of the book, which still serves as a vehicle for Mr. Brown’s thoughtful consideration of artistic issues.” -Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii Magazine March 2000

Contents:

5 Author’s Note
7 Brief Notes On The Second Edition
17 Preface

Part One
25 Starting Points
31 Magic and Theatre
49 Meaning and Vision

Part Two
61 Withholding the Power
61 Suggestion and Presence
73 Suggestion and Character
77 The Devil’s Picture-Book
83 Environmental Issues
91 Designing With Cause
110 Relating To Performance
117 Cold and Nasty
127 Setting the Stage
133 A Different Look at Pick-Pocketing
143 Outside Pocket
147 The Watch Steal
151 The Cigarette Through Shirt as Misdierction for Extensive Thievery
157 Unnerving Reveals
163 Recreation and Repetition
167 Acting Technique-Remembering to Forget

Part Three
179 Creativity in Isolation
189 How to be Yourself
195 Prestige and Disillusionment
203 A Note On Perverse Spectator Handling
211 Thank You For Your Time

213 Epilogue
213 An Essay – Can Magic be Art? New Thoughts
220 Art as Representation
222 Art as Expression
227 Art and Form
232 Art and Aesthetic Experience
235 Against Definition
237 Conclusions: How We Define Art
239 Magic and Art

USED, Hardcover 2nd edition 2003, 251 pages

IMPORTANT NOTE: Former owner has pasted his nameplate, as well as small photos of the magicians that are mentioned throughout this book, on the inside front cover & onto facing page.  There may also be a colored dot on the spine, by which he indexed his collection, as well as underlining throughout.  THIS IS A USED BOOK, and the listed price reflects these possibilities.