Book Review: Totally Out Of Control - Chris Kenner
Posted on December 3, 2007
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Until now my reviews have been somewhat limited to websites and music. So here is to my second review of a book, this time about magic. “Totally Out Of Control” is a book about close-up magic, written by the magician Chris Kenner. On the very first page, there is an introduction by the famous magician David Copperfield. The entire book is filled up with 30 close-up effects, mainly cards and coins effects. The book has a cool layout, with detailed drawings. The content is written in an easy way and is packed with jokes and funny comments. Every single effect is well thought through, and will be very useful in most close-up acts. The main reason why I bought the book was an effect called “The 5 Faces of Sybil”. A friend showed me this trick some years ago, and this is by far one of the best tricks I have ever seen. Sybil itself is not a trick but more something like a complex cut, or as Chris states it: a quick cut flourish to demonstrate skill and dexterity. When this cut is done correctly it looks amazing, and it will definitely make people aware of your slight-of-hands skills. However, this is not something which is mastered over night. Anyway, Sybil (the trick) is much more than just a cool flourish. Chris describes the effect like this:
A deck is shuffled and four cards, prediction cards, are removed from the pack, their identity unknown to the audience. A card is selected, for example the ten of hearts, and returned. A number from ten to twenty is announced by a member of the gallery. Let’s say the number is seventeen. One swift multiple cut (five faces of Sybil) produces a small packet, it is found that is contains exactly seventeen cards. A murmur emanates from the gallery. The small packet is turned face up, revealing the ten of hearts on the face. The crowd begins to applaud. Magic Man quickly gestures for silence. The four prediction cards are revealed. Their numerical values are added and the resultant sum is exactly seventeen.
The effect looks exactly as described above. This amazing effect mixed with the just as cool looking cut makes this one of my very favorite tricks. In my opinion, this effect is well worth the price of the entire book. However, the rest of book is packed with a lot of other great tricks as well. One thing worth mentioning is that this book is not for the newbies in close-up magic. There is no explanation on basic slights, so if you are new in this field, you will have a difficult time getting through the book. Even with experience, these effects still require a lot of practice. But once you get it right, you will have an entire book full of amazing and powerful effects. Check out ITricks for more reviews. If you have no idea what magic is all about, you should go and read this post: 10 Steps To Become a Magician
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Interesting review, thank you. I’m a big fan of magic of all forms, and I think this book could definitely be something for my christmas list!
nice review. I am a fan of David Copperfield. Saw him performed in Las Vegas.
I am a David copperfield fan, not just a usual fan an addicted fan lol. His stunts are so good. This is a well written review. If its only your second than your doing a good job. His card trick where he turns a 42 card deck into a 2 card deck with no hands is amazing.
I really like close up magic. It seems to require alot more talent than when you are standing on stage. I hope close up magic starts to become more prevelant.
Thank you for this post! I love David Copperfield! When my brother and I were little kids we used to stand in front of the TV when his specials were broadcast, and get into fist fights over who got to touch the screen when he did the screen trick! Ahhhh, memories! That’s a great gift idea for my brother! Thanks and Happy Holidays!
David copperfield.. he is simply amazing. I don’t know whether he really does magic or combination of tricks. From your post, i assume that he uses tricks but those are very extraordinary.. it must have taken him a lot of concentration and time to master them very well.
Thank you for this post! I love David Copperfield! When my brother and I were little kids we used to stand in front of the TV when his specials were broadcast.
I’ve not heard of this book before, I wil have to check it out. Thanks!
Thanks a lot for this review! Since a few weeks I am looking for a birthday present - that may be the right one. I am going to check it :-)
I always wonder how they manage to pull off some of those tricks. Now my kids are really interested in magic - I bet I could impress them with this book!
I am a great fan of magic.Interesting book. I am going to buy one :)
As long as they show you how to actually do the tricks then its cool. I was thinking after reading this. Who really wants to see people do tricks and then not know. I think that is one of the biggest things that bugs a person. How its done.
I am a big fan of David Copperfield. I am very much interested to know the trick of his magic. Any one try this book? I am willing to buy one.
magic is tite… good way to make friends and impress the ladies. i mean, after all, who doesn’t like watching magic tricks? no one,.,..
Interesting review thanks mate..I always love magic.Good post..
With the recent success of Phenomenon on tv this book sparks my interest. Some of the tricks performed I knew how they were done while others baffled me. It might be fun to read a book about this and learn a little more. At the least I can be the life of the next party.
magic is the best thing to do if u want to impress people… especially the ladies! i mean, who doesnt enjoy watching a magic trick?
Many, many years ago I worked at a company who had a magician for a client. He would show us really cool up close card tricks and I always wondered how he did it.
Maybe this is the book that will finally clear up that mystery for me?
Close-up magic is the best. We had a great magician at my son’s birthday party last week and he did an amazing job.
On a tangent, has anyone seen the David Blane spoofs on youtube? They are hillarious.
I’ve always wanted to learn a little close up magic, I think I’ll check the book out!
I love magic tricks. Especially the ones when they’re right next to you. It’s also cool to see them explained after performing them!
Nice Reviews I waiting for David Copperfield to show in thailand but he’s cancel the show
I still waiting for him :D
i’ve always wanted to learn magic, but never got around to it
This post has made me so excited to go and look into magic a little more. Its one of those things I have always wanted to learn but could never find any good resources, do you know of a good beginners resource?
Interesting review. David copperfield is simply awesome. I love his magic tricks. So i’ll definitely try this one.
Thanks:)
David Copperfield is quite amazing ! we love to go to his show when friends are visiting in Las Vegas. I’d sure like to know how he shows up an another continent when he disappears! The card trick he does over the TV is wild too!
Todd
Well, I think that I am going to read your post, “Ten Steps to Being a Magician”!!!
:)
a very good review. u seem to know what u r writing. i have been a fan of magic since time immeorial. so any info on magic is certainly most welcome.
Great review. I think magician would be my dream career. When are you going to write some more reviews? You’ve been away a while :-(
a couple years ago I was obsessed with learning how to do slight of hand tricks - This books looks like it would be perfect for someone like me to read! I dont “perform” magic anymore, but movies like “the Illusionist” have peaked my interest again.
Jan
whats a good magic website?
Hey, nice review you got there. I’ve always admired people like David Copperfield and David Blaine… they’re simply spectacular. But Criss Angel seems to be a fake though, as no one has seen his tricks in real life and many videos outlining the camera tricks he utilizes can be found on Youtube.
However I think I just might by that book u mentioned =)
I have never been able to successfully perform a card trick. This is due to my fat sausage like fingers, and my inability to shuffle a deck of cards. As a result, i’ve never been a big hit at the parties.
Of course, everyone knows about Houdini, always fascinated by him–and I am a Lance Burton fan as well, but I’d never thought of looking into magic myself, don’t know why.
So thanks for the idea and the great book review.
Chris kenner is cool, nice review on his book. Card tricks are great to learn and use to break the ice.
I respect Copperfield’s work, I’ve got plenty of his videos on one of my blog. Guys like Chris Angel are too pompous and pay attention to Wow effect more then to make a great trick.