Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Discuss the historical aspects of magic, including memories, or favorite stories.
User avatar
Magic Newswire
Posts: 2500
Joined: March 29th, 2008, 12:32 pm
Contact:

Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Magic Newswire » January 12th, 2009, 1:51 pm

During our interview, Jim Steinmeyer he mentioned the upcoming release of his new book on Thurston as well as the oversized book on the History of Magic that he collaborating on with Mr. Caveney. Both may be available by the end of 2009. Something to look forward to.

User avatar
Dustin Stinett
Posts: 7257
Joined: July 22nd, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Sometimes
Location: Southern California
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Dustin Stinett » January 12th, 2009, 2:40 pm

I have chatted with Mike Caveney a few times about the oversized book. It is being published by Taschen Books (Germany) which is famous for their lavish work. The book on magic history will be similar to the book they published on the history of the circus (The Circus: 1870-1950 by Linda Granfield, Dominique Jando, Fred Dahlinger, Jr., and edited by Noel Daniel). That book is over 670 pages, measures 11 by 17 inches, and contains over 900 photographs and illustrations. The price will be commensurate with its sizein the $200 rangebut given its authors, its bound to be worth every penny. Mike expects it to be ready before the History Conference in November.

Dustin

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 12th, 2009, 2:42 pm

I've held the Circus book: if you thought the Zarrow book was too big to read comfortably, you'll laugh at this tombstone. It must weigh 20 pounds! Beautiful, though, and available for less than its retail price in many places.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Dale Shrimpton
Posts: 387
Joined: March 20th, 2008, 7:21 am

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Dale Shrimpton » January 13th, 2009, 8:41 am

will the thurston book, be along the same lines as hiding the elephant, and the soo book?

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 13th, 2009, 10:22 am

The Soo book is a biography, Hiding the Elephant is not. I don't think they have much in common. The Thurston book will be a bio, but it will be at least a year or so until it's out.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
mai-ling
Posts: 740
Joined: May 10th, 2008, 7:25 am
Location: 60081
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby mai-ling » January 13th, 2009, 10:36 am

i look forward to his thurston book.
i really enjoy jim's writing style.
he's the only author i can read
that i can start and finish...
considering i am illiterate.
you will remember my name
http://www.mai-ling.net
world's youngest illusionista


Dale Shrimpton
Posts: 387
Joined: March 20th, 2008, 7:21 am

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Dale Shrimpton » January 13th, 2009, 10:46 am

Richard Kaufman wrote:The Soo book is a biography, Hiding the Elephant is not. I don't think they have much in common. The Thurston book will be a bio, but it will be at least a year or so until it's out.


Thanks Richard, But I think you might of misunderstood me.
:)

what i ment was is it going to be written in the same style as Glorious deception, and elephant.

To me, both books score really highly, in their entertaining, and engaging style,whereas to a point the Kulash Houdini book felt a little dry.If you know what i mean :)

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 13th, 2009, 11:14 am

I believe that Steinmeyer has developed a style of writing which, if you enjoyed the Soo book and Hiding the Elephant, you will find in the Thurston book. I don't know why you would compare anything Jim writes to the Houdini book, which was written by others.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Brad Henderson
Posts: 4546
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: austin, tx

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Brad Henderson » February 11th, 2009, 9:56 pm

Just got the Circus book.

You need to buy this.

I am not a "circus fan" per se; but if the Magic version is anything close to this, you will want both to have a complete set.

These types of books have habit of going out of print and getting very costly. (I know, I just paid double for a different book that one year ago I could have had at list price.)

This is a stunning tome.

Brad Henderson

User avatar
Kevin Connolly
Posts: 2437
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Kevin Connolly » February 11th, 2009, 10:27 pm

Brad,

Any mention of Houdini or other magicians in the book?
Please visit my website.
http://houdinihimself.com/
I buy,sell + trade Houdini, Hardeen items.

hugmagic
Posts: 288
Joined: January 20th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: OHIO
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby hugmagic » February 11th, 2009, 10:41 pm

I picked up the Circus book from Amazon for about $135 which is a real deal.

Believe this book will knock your socks off. But you have to read it at a table. Not a bedside reader in anyway.

Richard
Richard Hughes
www.hughesmagic.com

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 11th, 2009, 11:45 pm

I looked at a copy at a friend's house last year. It seems stupidly large and heavy to me: at least four times the size of Greater Magic. The layout was chaos, it was hard to figure out where the text was and in what language (it turns out it's in three or four languages).

I really wasn't in any way motivated to spend $200 for it. I have much higher hopes for the magic version, with Steinmeyer and Caveney writing it. But the format is just crazy--too big for any human to comfortably read.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Brad Henderson
Posts: 4546
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: austin, tx

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Brad Henderson » February 12th, 2009, 1:28 am

Just got it.

There is a sideshow section and there is a reprint of the Karmi poster, I have seen those in flipping through. I am sure there are magicians in it. Will check the index when I can and get back to you.

The book IS huge, but it's an art book. I will sacrifice comfort for large beautiful images in which one can actually discern the details. I made it through two or three chapters today comfortably.

It's not perfect, I am sure. But if the magic version has the same type of content (written and visual) people will want it and many will be upset they can not complete the set.

User avatar
Kevin Connolly
Posts: 2437
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Kevin Connolly » February 12th, 2009, 8:06 am

Thanks for looking Brad. I appreciate it.

I've seen it mentioned here that the magic version is coming. Is this the Steinmeyer book mentioned above?
Please visit my website.

http://houdinihimself.com/

I buy,sell + trade Houdini, Hardeen items.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 12th, 2009, 9:47 am

There are actually three Steinmeyer books on the way.
The first will be the magic version of the circus book.
The second will be the biography of Thurston.
The third may come out at any time and will be ... a secret for now.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
Kevin Connolly
Posts: 2437
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Kevin Connolly » February 12th, 2009, 9:56 am

Thanks Richard. Would the circus book and the magic book be considered a set or do they really stand alone? The only similarities I see is the publisher. I just don't want to be kicking myself if I don't buy the circus book.
Please visit my website.

http://houdinihimself.com/

I buy,sell + trade Houdini, Hardeen items.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 12th, 2009, 10:17 am

I don't think they're a set. If they do more of them then they could be considered part of a series. The choice of the first two relies entirely upon graphic materials available. So, the next one might be THEATER or something like that. Who knows.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
Steve Bryant
Posts: 1947
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Ballantine
Location: Bloomington IN
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Steve Bryant » February 12th, 2009, 1:37 pm

The Circus book is worth having for its own sake. There is a photo and a titillating description of it on my current web site at

http://littleegyptmagic.com/magic.html

Ray Eden
Posts: 352
Joined: May 25th, 2009, 8:57 am
Location: Lake Worth, Florida
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Ray Eden » May 28th, 2009, 4:20 am

I just finished reading the Soo bio, and found the book fascinating. I really look forward to these new works from Steinmeyer.

Magickally,
Ray Eden
AmericanMagician in Finland

User avatar
Eoin O'hare
Posts: 142
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Ireland
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Eoin O'hare » July 13th, 2009, 7:06 pm

You can pre-order the "Magic Book" here
Although, I'll wait until I see it advertised closer to home- I'm thinking postage, and, weighs a ton.
Designer & Maker of The Stripper Jig Card Trimmer

User avatar
mai-ling
Posts: 740
Joined: May 10th, 2008, 7:25 am
Location: 60081
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby mai-ling » July 13th, 2009, 9:20 pm

Ray Eden wrote:I just finished reading the Soo bio, and found the book fascinating. I really look forward to these new works from Steinmeyer.

Magickally,
Ray Eden
AmericanMagician in Finland


i enjoyed the book too...

the upcoming book that mike and jim collaborated on looks
like a gem...
you will remember my name

http://www.mai-ling.net

world's youngest illusionista




User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 13th, 2009, 11:36 pm

Steinmeyer is busy writing the Thurston book now, but I don't think publication date is for another year (fall of 2010).

Real world publishers take their time in getting stuff out.

The book I'm writing on magic for the public has had its publication date shifted from September to December, but still this year. Am just reviewing the copy-edited text now.

As for the book on magic by Taschen that Jim and Mike are writing, I don't think it will be out in time for the History Conference.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

DrDanny
Posts: 293
Joined: January 22nd, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Sunnyvale CA

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby DrDanny » July 27th, 2009, 10:44 am

Richard Kaufman wrote:As for the book on magic by Taschen that Jim and Mike are writing, I don't think it will be out in time for the History Conference.


Amazon.com is now taking pre-orders on the Taschen book. $125, which is considerably below cover price.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 27th, 2009, 8:32 pm

At dinner the other day, Mike Caveney said he just signed off on the final page proofs the other day, which means the book is yet to go on press. He said that Taschen insists the book will be printed and at the Conference.

It's hard for me to believe that it will be printed, bound, and shipped all the way to the US from Italy (where it's printed) in time for the History Conference at the beginning of November. The thing is enormous--I can't imagine anyone carrying it home on the plane considering its weight. And are they going to sell it at the $200 retail at the Conference? Seems silly if it's on amazon for $125.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Magic Randy
Posts: 191
Joined: July 6th, 2008, 5:24 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Magic Randy » July 27th, 2009, 10:09 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:At dinner the other day, Mike Caveney said he just signed off on the final page proofs the other day, which means the book is yet to go on press. He said that Taschen insists the book will be printed and at the Conference.

It's hard for me to believe that it will be printed, bound, and shipped all the way to the US from Italy (where it's printed) in time for the History Conference at the beginning of November. The thing is enormous--I can't imagine anyone carrying it home on the plane considering its weight. And are they going to sell it at the $200 retail at the Conference? Seems silly if it's on amazon for $125.


I already have it on preorder from Amazon. $126.00.

Maybe there is a deluxe edition that will be sold at the History Conference. I'm not sure why anyone would pay $200 for the regular edition when Amazon has it so much cheaper.

Magic Randy
Posts: 191
Joined: July 6th, 2008, 5:24 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Magic Randy » July 27th, 2009, 10:10 pm

Was the magic version of the circus book ever published?

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 27th, 2009, 10:17 pm

That's what we're discussing: the magic version of the circus book.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Magic Randy
Posts: 191
Joined: July 6th, 2008, 5:24 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Magic Randy » July 27th, 2009, 11:01 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:That's what we're discussing: the magic version of the circus book.


Thanks Richard.

I ordered Magic when I saw the link for preorder a couple weeks back. I assumed it was the Thurston book and snapped it up when I saw the price. Now that I look at it I see it has Kellar's picture on it, so that should have told me it was not the Thurston book.

I wanted both books anyway, but I guess this suggests that the Thurston book is a long ways off.

Randy

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27054
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 28th, 2009, 4:33 am

Thurston is scheduled to come out next fall (2010).
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

garciadini
Posts: 129
Joined: July 25th, 2009, 9:05 pm
Location: New Jersey
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby garciadini » July 29th, 2009, 2:11 pm

I pre-ordered from Amazon also. I guess the size is of concern, but I was able to get through the enormous two volume set of Gary Larsen Complete Far Side works, and I mean it these books are heavy! The truth is, if it is something you really enjoy, then you'll manage to get through it somehow. I'm looking foward to the release!

de ritis
Posts: 4
Joined: August 13th, 2009, 3:30 am
Location: Pescara, Italy
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby de ritis » August 24th, 2009, 1:29 pm

The book will be on sale on the European market mid-September, and in the Usa in November.
The book is ready and will be certainly available at the announced date. I contributed in consulting for the Circus book, and I was impressed how organized are at Taschen and precise about deadlines.

By the way, you can by now see the book and leaf through his ENTIRE 680-pages content on the taschen site:

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalog ... s1950s.htm

But maybe you don't want destroy the surprise of discovering this masterpiece in full size.
raffaele de ritis
www.raffaelederitis.com

User avatar
Eoin O'hare
Posts: 142
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Ireland
Contact:

Re: Steinmeyer's Thurston Book

Postby Eoin O'hare » August 24th, 2009, 6:17 pm

Amazon UK now have it at a pre-order discounted price of 87.75 Here
Designer & Maker of The Stripper Jig Card Trimmer


Return to “Magic History and Anecdotes”