Mark Lewis Book!

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Jolly Roger
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Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jolly Roger » January 27th, 2011, 10:24 am

I see that the Mark Lewis book "Lives of a Showman" is now available, and has a four page spread in February's MUM, including sections of the book. I think Mark derserves congratulations. Will it be reviewed in Genii? JR
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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 27th, 2011, 11:10 am

It will likely be reviewed in Genii, but we haven't received a copy yet.
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Jolly Roger
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jolly Roger » January 27th, 2011, 3:17 pm

I understand that sales are being handled by Snap Illusions. Incidentally, I am still waiting for my free copy that was promised!!! JR
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Barefoot Boy » January 27th, 2011, 11:15 pm

AND if that's not reason enough to buy a copy, there are three photographs of me in the book along with an enchanting story in which I was involved.

Congratulations, Mark on this remarkable achievement!

Happy Thoughts,
Paul Pacific

(I hope the mention of this Barefoot Boy does not negatively affect sales of your fine book.)
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Blessings on thee, Barefoot Boy.
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David Scollnik
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby David Scollnik » January 27th, 2011, 11:57 pm

Jolly Roger wrote:I understand that sales are being handled by Snap Illusions. Incidentally, I am still waiting for my free copy that was promised!!! JR

The book is available for purchase on ML's website.

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Steve V » January 28th, 2011, 1:27 am

I have a brilliant idea. People can go to

http://www.marklewisentertainment.com/h ... cians.html

and get the book or Mr. Kaufmann can consider this idea. Richard, you offer great deals on books for those that subscribe to Genii...the best magazine for magicians. Howzabout this, you tell those that DON'T subscribe that they will get a copy of Marks book! I find Mark facinating but he is scary to most so they'll subscribe to avoid Lives of a Showman!
Steve V

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 28th, 2011, 8:33 am

I think we an avoid this topic!
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Jolly Roger
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jolly Roger » January 28th, 2011, 11:32 pm

Steve............I believe you posted the wrong link. This should work:

http://marklewisentertainment.com/html/magicians.html



JR
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Jolly Roger
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jolly Roger » February 10th, 2011, 8:38 pm

I understand that Martin Macmillan of International Magic will be selling Mark's book at Blackpool. I hear rumours that Martin is so impressed with the book that he has ordered an additional batch!
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jolly Roger » February 25th, 2011, 11:31 pm

I finally started on Mark's book at Blackpool, and it is really jolly good and amusing. I believe Martin MacMillan nearly sold out at Blackpool. Has anyone seen any reviews yet? JR
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Simonpitch
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Simonpitch » March 15th, 2011, 10:06 am

Yes. There is a review. Sort of anyway. This is from Paul Wilson of Royal Road to Card Magic DVD fame.
http://twitter.com/rpaulwilson/status/44413603725586433

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Simonpitch » March 26th, 2011, 11:28 am

I also came across this on another forum. It is a comment from best selling author and psychic entertainer Richard Webster. Richard has sold 10 million books worldwide and had them translated into 29 languages so that does give his comment some gravitas. Here it is:

"Once I started reading it, I couldn't put "The Lives of a Showman" down. Mark Lewis has had a fascinating life, and tells it well. I laughed out loud at some of the stories, and almost cried at others. I've been fortunate enough to spend a bit of time with Mark, and had heard some of the stories before. Reading them brought those memories back, and I could hear Mark's voice as I read. This book contained a number of surprises, too. I didn't expect to read an extremely unusual and sad love story, for instance. It must have been hard for Mark to write about this, and it shows how kind and compassionate he is. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."

The book can be obtained at www.marklewisentertainment.com
Go to the "For Magicians Only" section.

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AJM
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby AJM » March 26th, 2011, 12:28 pm

Here we go again...

Simonpitch
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Simonpitch » April 1st, 2011, 4:48 pm

No. Here YOU go again.

Quite frankly I would prefer to hear comments from anyone here (if any) who has actually purchased and read the book. It is a legitimate book and I expect some of us would like to hear more about it. After all even Steve Brooks of the Magic Cafe has promised to review it on his big green forum.

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AJM
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby AJM » April 1st, 2011, 5:07 pm

Interesting that you wait until today's date to post a reply - however not at all surprised that no-one else has made any effort to comment on this pile of bilge.

I am, however, extremely flattered that you know so much about me, given that you only registered on the 15th March and have made 3 posts....(although I have a sneaky suspicion that you won't reach double figures).

TTFN

Andrew

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Simonpitch » April 3rd, 2011, 3:36 pm

I would suggest that the only people who are qualified to say if this book is "a pile of bilge" would be those who have actually read it.

It does seem that Andrew Pinard HAS read it (or should I say is in the process of reading it) and has commented on the magic cafe thus:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view ... orum=110&1

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 3rd, 2011, 3:52 pm

Mark, remain nice or you'll be gone.
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AJM
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby AJM » April 3rd, 2011, 3:58 pm

Lark, Ronnie, Lawrence, Sr Agnes, Adam, Simonpitch

Congratulations - you've sold a copy!

I'm just having the time of my life here observing your, frankly pathetic, attempts to be all soft and cuddly with us as you peddle your grubby little pamphlet - when all you really want to do is give us all a mouthful of your hackneyed invective.

Go on, let's hear it, you know you want to....

Andrew

:-)

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 3rd, 2011, 4:18 pm

Of course he wants to. :)
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David Kaplan
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby David Kaplan » April 3rd, 2011, 9:01 pm

Andrew is goading and being deliberately incendiary. I don't know about the rest of you, but I think gratuitous insults like these are really uncool and not to be condoned.

-- David

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 3rd, 2011, 9:32 pm

David, no one can goad more, or be more incendiary, than Mark Lewis. Don't worry about him: he'll always be able to give as good as he gets.
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby James Munton » April 3rd, 2011, 10:00 pm

Simonpitch wrote:Quite frankly I would prefer to hear comments from anyone here (if any) who has actually purchased and read the book. It is a legitimate book and I expect some of us would like to hear more about it.


I have read the book. I am an avid reader and this is one of my favorite books I have ever read. Please note that I did not restrict my comment to "magic books." There is a rawness and honesty to Mark's book that I have very rarely seen. I frequently found myself reading a chapter, chuckling away to myself and then without warning I would realize I was reading something quite dark and powerful. I have never read a description of live performance that comes close to the vividness of Mark's prose.

I honestly feel that this book is a masterpiece. Just like the author, it is flawed, fascinating, hilarious, infuriating and just when you think you know where it is heading, it takes an incredible turn into the deepest levels of human experience. You realize that a man who has spent his life deceiving people has just been more brutally honest than you could ever imagine.

I obviously feel the book is fantastic.
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jolly Roger » April 3rd, 2011, 10:49 pm

In many ways I have to agree with Munton. I am loving "Lives of a Showman!" Pages 183 to 185 are especially to be commended. However, the whole tome makes for excellent reading, and I find it hard to put down. I don't really know why Mark spent so much of his life selling the longs, shorts, mice and worms when he could have made more money than Harold Robbins as an author!!! JR
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 3rd, 2011, 10:56 pm

Could you exaggerate any more?
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby James Munton » April 4th, 2011, 12:09 am

Richard,

I am not sure if you are referring to me or Roger. But anyone who knows me well will tell you that I am blunt, honest and not prone to hyperbole unless it concerns my own enormous talents.

Have you read the book? I would be very surprised if you were able to read the book and not be moved by it.

Best,
James
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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 4th, 2011, 12:24 am

I was referring to this bit of absurd puffery: "...he could have made more money than Harold Robbins as an author!!!"
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby James Munton » April 4th, 2011, 12:32 am

Oh, yes Roger does lean a little towards poofery.
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jolly Roger » April 4th, 2011, 12:59 am

Munton...there is a vast difference between "puffery" and "poofery". It is hard to believe that you spent all those years at a minor British boarding school without knowing that!!! JR
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Jonathan Townsend » April 4th, 2011, 9:59 am

Magicians have their own special place in the Club of Queer Trades.
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby r paul wilson » April 4th, 2011, 12:22 pm

I really enjoyed the book. It's full of great stories from Mr. Lewis' unique perspective. I was entertained throughout and learned a great deal about the author and his work.

The book is worth a punt. I wasn't disappointed.

P

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Simonpitch » April 4th, 2011, 12:53 pm

I think I should clear up a few misconceptions and inaccuracies here. First I am not Mark Lewis although I live in Toronto and do know him. I met him at his book launch which is described here:
http://canadasmagic.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... l#comments

Second, the book is not a "grubby little pamphlet" as has been described on this thread. It is a hard backed book of around 322 pages or so. The foreword is written by David Ben and it is beautifully printed.

Furthermore the earlier sarcastic implication of only one book being sold is completely untrue. I know for a fact that The Browser's Den of Magic has sold 36 as of this morning, 21 of which were sold at the above mentioned book launch. There were 44 people at the book launch some of whom had already purchased the book elsewhere so this is a considerable feat.

The book is sold in Canada at the Browser's Den, in the US at H & R Books and in the UK by International Magic. At the present time these are the only dealers that are stocking the book. Of course the author is also selling quite a few on his website at www.marklewisentertainment.com
When you get there go to the "For Magicians Only" section.

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 4th, 2011, 1:44 pm

Only Mark Lewis would take offense at the phrase "grubby little pamphlet." It is, as you say, a nice hardcover book. I believe the poster was describing its contents. :)
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AJM
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby AJM » April 4th, 2011, 3:02 pm

Now I'm going to have to spend the rest of the evening trying to figure out which is the most outrageous 'porkie': -

- Simonpitch is not Lark Mewis
or
- 36 copies of this, ahem, magnum opus have been sold.

Seriously though, if you do wish to increase sales I would recommend that you employ the services of a good pitchman to get those books flying off the shelves - do you know any good ones?
If not, drop me a PM and I'll be happy to provide a few contacts.

Toodle-pip.

Andrew

P.S. I'd like to offer my sincere apologise to David K for being 'uncool' in an earlier post.

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Ian Kendall » April 4th, 2011, 6:11 pm

For what it's worth, I don't believe that Simonpitch is Mark.

The extract in MUM a couple of months ago was an interesting read. I assume the rest of the book is similar.

Ian

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 4th, 2011, 7:16 pm

Of course Simonpitch is Mark--he's posting from the Toronto Public Library, as usual.
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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Bob Farmer » April 5th, 2011, 11:25 am

I am also not Mark Lewis.

I am not posting from the Toronto Public Library.

I am Cardicus.

No, I am Cardicus.

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Joe Pecore » April 5th, 2011, 4:36 pm

Share your knowledge on the MagicPedia wiki.

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby John McDonald » April 5th, 2011, 5:51 pm

Best John

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Bill McFadden » April 6th, 2011, 12:52 am

I love you, Cardicus.

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Re: Mark Lewis Book!

Postby Simonpitch » April 7th, 2011, 10:33 am

Ian is correct. I am NOT Mark Lewis. Furthermore with regard to the scepticism regarding sales of the book this can easily be confirmed by anyone who was present at the book launch. They would have seen how steadily the book was selling and in fact, they could have hardly have missed it.

In any event I understand that the sales at the Browser's Den are only a minor part of the overall sales. The book is selling steadily all over the world both to magicians and the public at large through several distribution channels.Quite frankly I understand hundreds of books have been sold.

I really do not understand the silliness on this thread. The author has produced a legitimate book which has been compared on the Magic Cafe to the recent Thurston biography. We have had on this thread positive reviews by R.Paul Wilson, James Munton, Richard Webster and there are even more. I am not sure what more is required for this book to be taken seriously.

I understand Mr Kaufman possesses a copy of this work. Perhaps he should make some time to read it and judge it for himself.


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