Larry Jennings New Book?

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PickaCard
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby PickaCard » May 30th, 2015, 12:39 pm

I will buy a copy. And so will many more.

Leonard Hevia
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Leonard Hevia » May 30th, 2015, 2:28 pm

PickaCard wrote:I will buy a copy. And so will many more.


Count me in too!

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erdnasephile
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby erdnasephile » May 30th, 2015, 5:07 pm

Ditto! (and that goes for the third book too!)

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Q. Kumber
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Q. Kumber » May 30th, 2015, 10:33 pm

erdnasephile wrote:Ditto! (and that goes for the third book too!)


Maybe the book covers could be designed so the trio blend in on the bookshelf.

Mr Jennings Takes It Easy
Mr Jennings Takes It Tough
Mr Jennings Gets It Up

The last being on the Ambitious Card.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 31st, 2015, 1:11 am

I think "Mr. Jennings Gets Down" would be more acceptable.
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AMCabral
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby AMCabral » May 31st, 2015, 1:25 am

This is all very droll. Why are those posts still up?

-T

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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Jeff Eline » May 31st, 2015, 11:28 am

AMCabral wrote:This is all very droll. Why are those posts still up?

-T


Great question. Since I think it's pretty clear Greene/Jeanspdenis is a crackpot, wouldn't the decent thing to do would be just delete those posts until it's cleared up and then post an update. Seems wrong to let his crazy dangle out in the wind like that.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 31st, 2015, 11:50 am

It's really not clear what's happening yet, so I'll just leave it all for the moment.
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Disparity1
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Disparity1 » May 31st, 2015, 1:13 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:It's really not clear what's happening yet, so I'll just leave it all for the moment.


Actually, that's a perfect argument for at least hiding the posts until things are clear. It makes less sense to leave unverified and damaging claims in the open for all to see.

John Bowden
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby John Bowden » May 31st, 2015, 3:17 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:It's really not clear what's happening yet, so I'll just leave it all for the moment.



Richard.......that is the most mature decision you could make under the circumstances.

Deleting or hiding the posts suggest that either you or others have something to hide.
Sometimes ignoring, or appearing to ignore, a situation can defuse it as easily and more effectively than a major battle which will be fought using unreasonable statements and arguments.

From one of the greatest Irish playwrights of all time.......
'I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it'
George Bernard Shaw

A good title for a new Kaufman book might be
"Mr. Kaufman takes it easy"

Cheers from the Emerald Isle.
John Bowden

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 31st, 2015, 3:43 pm

You might take note of the fact that I am also a victim of the defamatory statements being made, so as I said, it stays until things are clarified.
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Chris Aguilar
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Chris Aguilar » May 31st, 2015, 5:49 pm

Here's a question for Richard.

With some of the larger projects now done (Berglas) or close to done (Tenyo) do you think that will leave you more time to focus on the big Jennings book?

prodigy
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby prodigy » May 31st, 2015, 7:22 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:I've been working on this Jennings book since 1991. That's almost a quarter of a century.

I have a sacred duty to Larry to publish the book, and I will.


That is good to hear, Richard.

Hopefully this issue, or non-issue, gets resolved soon.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 31st, 2015, 8:09 pm

The Tenyo book is now done except for reworking the table of contents, which I will do this week. Then it's off to the printer.

There's a good chance DeLand will be next for a very important reason, even though it's not the best business decision. But I won't go into that here.

I have several other things in the fire.

With the Jennings book the same problem as always exists: posing for the photos. But I do have an idea that might solve this issue, so we'll see!
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prodigy
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby prodigy » July 6th, 2015, 3:41 am

Has this issue now been resolved?

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Ryan Matney
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Ryan Matney » July 6th, 2015, 2:40 pm

It's clear to me that I an now the only person in magic that has not seen the unpublished Jennings book. (I know, it just feels that way)

Richard, can you sue someone for leaking your book?

Ryan
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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 6th, 2015, 4:56 pm

Yes I could. But I haven't seen it show up anywhere.
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Marcus
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Marcus » February 12th, 2016, 6:29 pm

Hi Richard,

Do you have an update on the next Jennings book(s)? Looking forward to it, whenever it'll be released.
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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 12th, 2016, 7:39 pm

Just slowly working on it. At the moment, digitizing audio cassettes.
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Marcus
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Marcus » February 14th, 2016, 7:21 pm

Is that for "Takes it Easy" or "Takes it Slow"? I'd assume it was for the second book of the trilogy, but I seem to recall that one being finished except for the photographs, so I'd better ask to be sure.

Either way - I look forward to them both like a kid looks forward to Christmas! If by chance you need assistance with anything, I'd be happy to see if I could help out as a graphic designer.
- Social media nerd, copywriter & graphic designer

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 14th, 2016, 7:26 pm

Digitizing all the material, actually, because it's not segregated on the tapes he gave me.
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Ryan Matney
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Ryan Matney » February 15th, 2016, 2:48 pm

If you do a deluxe edition, it might be cool to include a select CD of Larry's recordings since he was known for that.
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Shawn Evans
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Shawn Evans » May 10th, 2016, 1:44 pm

Any updates on the book?

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 10th, 2016, 3:51 pm

Yes, I've been working on them.
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Anthony Vinson
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Anthony Vinson » May 10th, 2016, 5:33 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:Yes, I've been working on them.


::Snicker::

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 10th, 2016, 5:37 pm

If you understood the titanic nature of the job, you wouldn't snicker.
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Anthony Vinson
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Anthony Vinson » May 10th, 2016, 5:42 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:If you understood the titanic nature of the job, you wouldn't snicker.


The snicker was related to your reply, which I found funny. I have nothing but respect for the work that goes into your books.

performer
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby performer » May 10th, 2016, 6:21 pm

Writing a book is a monumental task. And writing a big book is even more monumental. It is a really challenging undertaking. It is not something that can be done overnight.

Having said that there are a tiny few exceptional authors who can write an entire book in one week. I don't imagine they have a lot of depth to them though.

Shawn Evans
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Shawn Evans » May 10th, 2016, 10:14 pm

Richard,

I appreciate the work you do. I am a big fan and was just re-reading some Jennings '67 today and thought I would check. Thanks for your reply! On a side note, thank you for the Vernon/Jennings lecture disc you offered with the Genii renewal. It is absolutely wonderful to see them both performing at this point in their careers.

Shawn Evans

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 10th, 2016, 10:44 pm

A natural consequence of having too much on my plate is that I navigate to the simplest project at hand. That's never going to be a book of Jennings' material--even the easy stuff.

But I just digitized the 90 audio cassettes and turned them into MP3 files, which means I can take them anywhere on my computer. Planning to digitize all the video I shot next. I listened to quite a bit of the audio as it was playing, and I could hear details I missed. That drives me crazy, and means I'll have to re-listen to everything while going over the already-written text.
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Roger M.
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Roger M. » May 11th, 2016, 1:30 pm

Although I'm far from being a young man, and have been involved in card magic for 40 years ... I've never been exposed to any of Larry Jennings ideas and effects.

What is it (was it) about Jennings that obviously keeps him held in such high regard by magicians?

Does his card magic, or his thinking behind his card magic represent new or previously unexplored territory?

Most of my early exposure to card magic came from all that was available at the time ... books.
Nobody in my area had any Larry Jennings books, so although I recognized his name somewhat, I have never pursued his works.

No doubt Richards pending book will contain all the information I seek, but just thought I 'd pose the question now for those who may not be as up on Jennings as some here obviously are.

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erdnasephile
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby erdnasephile » May 12th, 2016, 10:20 am

Hi, Roger:

I only know Mr. Jennings through his published works, so I fear I will not do him justice; however, I'll give it a shot.

For me, I think what makes Jennings distinctive was his dedication to the Vernon school of naturalness, his creativity, and his prolificness over a great number of years.

When I look at his best routines, there is a "rightness" to their construction--no false moves, every sleight is exactly the right sleight for the job--it all just "fits". It's like eating a well cooked meal from a master chef--the ingredients may not be exotic, but they are prepared perfectly, in the just the right proportions--not a note out of place. It's very pleasing. That's what a great Jennings routine feels like to perform.

I think this sense of "rightness" was a byproduct not only of his commitment to naturalness, but also his ability to keep working and working a problem (often in conjunction with his Castle compatriots) until every extraneous part had been eliminated or smoothed over. For example, the evolution of his seminal "Invisible Palm Aces" --as published on pgs 156 to 202 of Jennings '67--demonstrate a tangible, relentless commitment to never settling. The consistent, in depth thinking is what is so impressive to me--he must've slept with a deck of cards in his hands!

In terms of creativity and prolificness, here is a bibliography: http://larryjennings.com/print.htm As I scroll down the list, there are so many routines and sleights that have become classics: Invisible Palm Aces, The Visitor, The Mystery Card, Single Cup & Ball, Chop Cup Routine (despite the attendant controversy), Peripatetic Coins, Larreverse, Snap Double Lift, Pineapple Surprise, Jenning's Triumph Display, Take and Turn Bottom Deal, and so on and so on.

That's why I suspect (since you've been into card magic for 40 years) that you actually have been exposed to his work. It's just that his founding work may have been cloaked within the routines of others you are familiar with. Obviously, not everything he published was gold, but the classic to dreck ratio is impressively high.

I will leave the debate to how much of what Jennings published was "new or previously unexplored" to those who are more able historians than I. However, one thing is for certain in my mind: he published some darn fine magic that is still being performed and varied today.

Roger M.
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Roger M. » May 12th, 2016, 3:30 pm

Thanks for that Erdnasephile!

Jorge Betancourt
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Jorge Betancourt » June 3rd, 2016, 9:50 am

I'm happy to read that Mr. Kaufman is still working on the Jennings' books. I know it is a hard task, but I think that I talk for everyone when I say that we appreciate all the years of work you are putting on the books, Richard. I will wait for them!

Thank you Richard!


Jorge Betancourt

S. Tauzier
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby S. Tauzier » July 4th, 2016, 9:18 am

Richard, I'd be willing to fly out to your place and work for 10 sixteen hour days scanning photos for the Jennings books. Let me know.

Jorge Betancourt
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Jorge Betancourt » July 4th, 2016, 9:39 am

Larry had a very close friend who's name is Fenik, a great card magician from Mexico. Fenik is a very good friend of mine, if you want me to put you in touch with him just let me know, he may know the stuff that is on the books. I don't know if you are going to put photos or drawings, but if you need some help with drawings I can do it (I'm at my work now, so I don't have my drawings with me, but when I get home I could post some of my drawings)

Leonard Hevia
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Leonard Hevia » July 4th, 2016, 2:05 pm

That was a great summary on the relevance of Jennings, Erdnasephile! Thank you for articulating that.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 4th, 2016, 3:04 pm

There is no controversy at this time about Jennings' Chop Cup routine. It was based on Ron Wilson's. Both are published, and you can read them for yourself and compare.

I spoke directly to Bob Stencel about the "open" load idea and he said that he and Larry worked it out together while sitting in Larry's kitchen.

Both should have been credited when the routine was originally published in Genii. Jeff Busby only compounded the problem when he republished the routine in "Larry Jennings on Card and Coin Handling" without the credits (which he damn well knew).

I asked Larry about it shortly after I began working on a book with him in 1983. He didn't hesitate in saying that his routine was based on Ron's.
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Jorge Betancourt
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Jorge Betancourt » February 17th, 2017, 3:31 pm

Any updates about Jennings books?

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Larry Jennings New Book?

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 17th, 2017, 4:59 pm

An interesting development this evening ...
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