Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years

[Jack Shalom]

Dear Genii readers,

I'm so happy to announce the publication of Gerald Deutsch's book, Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 35173.html



Here's the ad copy, and in the next post, I'll detail some of the inside story for Genii readers.

How do you take the ego out of performing magic? For sixteen years, Gerald Deutsch has been contributing effects to the Genii Magazine Forum utilizing his unique brand of magic, called “Perverse Magic.” It’s a fun, engaging style of magic where the performer is as baffled as the audience. It replaces ego with laughing interaction.

Now all of Jerry’s monthly postings have been collated and formatted into one giant hardcover volume, complete with three tables of contents--chronologically, by props used, and by category of perverseness! It also includes an extensive index of magicians, books, and periodicals cited.

There are hundreds of effects with cards, coins, balls, and table magic, all with complete directions and presentations. Over 450 pages of off-the-cuff magic, magic that you will use everyday.

And, as a wonderful bonus, all proceeds from the book go to the non-profit charity Open Heart Magic, an organization that places volunteer magicians in hospital settings to entertain young patients.

You can order the book at http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 35173.html

or more simply, just go to http://www.lulu.com and do a search on "Perverse Magic."

[Jack Shalom]

I hope you'll excuse the length of this post, but I feel that Genii supporters should get a special explanation of what I'm announcing today.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 35173.html

I know that readers of this forum need no introduction to Jerry Deutsch. For the past sixteen years, every single month he has been posting effects to one of the most popular Genii Forum threads of all time: Perverse Magic. Finally, a few months ago, Jerry brought an end to the wonderful series. He contributed literally hundreds of effects, all in the style of presentation he called "Perverse Magic"--a style of magic that attributes the cause of magic to reasons other than the magician's egotistical will.

Jerry's posts instantly resonated with me--I had tinkered around with something I called "Accidental Magic" for a while, when I discovered that Jerry had been doing this for decades before. When I discovered Jerry's Genii thread, I was enchanted. I looked forward every month to Jerry's latest perverse entry on the Genii Forum.

I had been fooling around with self-publishing lately for non-magic related reasons, and out of my own selfishness, I decided that it would be nice to gather up all of Jerry's posts and put them into book form so that I could study Perverse Magic more closely for my own personal use. I'm a book guy, that's how I learn. So I put the book together, and after I finished I thought wouldn't it be a great tribute to Jerry to release this to the general magic public?

I didn't want to step on anyone's toes, so I asked Richard what he thought, and he gave the project his approval. I asked Jerry, and he was happy to be getting a copy, but he preferred not to release it to the general magic public.

I prevailed upon Jerry, telling him that there were three good reasons for having the book released:
1) He deserves financial remuneration for his efforts
2) For many people, book form is more convenient to learn from than a website .
3) Most importantly, Jerry's landmark contributions to the art of magic in developing this unique form of magic should be documented, appreciated, and preserved in a more permanent way than the internet cloud.

Jerry still demurred, even after I assured him that I wanted no remuneration for myself. I was disappointed, but I continued working on the book. When it was finally finished, I sent Jerry a copy.

A few days later I got a call from Jerry, who I had never spoken to on the phone before. He was really happy about the book, and wanted to release it to the general magic public on one important condition: that all proceeds would go to charity.

I was so happy when he said this. It was the perfect solution! Jerry mentioned that he had done work volunteering in hospitals, doing magic for young patients to entertain them, and that he would like to find a charity that would support that kind of work.

We did a bit of research and we came up with what was a perfect fit: Open Heart Magic. They are a non-profit charity whose main mission specifically is to train volunteers to do magic in hospitals for young patients. We spoke to the folks at OHM, and they were happy to help set things up so that all the proceeds of Jerry's book would go to their foundation. You can take a look at the great work these people do at http://www.openheartmagic.org

Once again, I hope you take a look at the order link, and consider buying the book; Jerry's effects are terrific and well-explained, the price is right, and the cause is a great cause for magicians to support:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 35173.html

[Brian Douglas]

I ordered. They deliver to APO/FPO's too!

[Jack Shalom]

Wonderful. I think you'll really enjoy it, Brian.

[chetday]

I just ordered my copy of this worthwhile win-win-win project for everyone involved.

In this day and age of unrelenting money grabs, it's refreshing to support a worthy cause while also scoring a terrific new book to add to my magic library. (Given the fact that I turn 71 this Sunday, I keep vowing to stop buying magic books since I haven't yet figured out a way to take them to the grave with me, but, alas, I continue to break the vow when Richard releases remarkable tomes like the Berglas book and the new DeLand book... and now this fine collection of great magic from Gerald Deutsch and Jack Shalom.)

From faithfully following and learning from the Perverse Magic thread, I know I'm going to love this book... and I also know my grandson will love it too should I fail to take it with me into the Great Beyond in hopefully another ten or twenty years.

Thank you, Jack and Gerald.

[performer]

This is a very good thing. This kind of thing should be set down in hard print making it more permanent. I strongly suspect more people will read it that way.

[Jack Shalom]

Thanks so much, chetday and Mark. Chetday and Brian, if you get a chance after reading the book, it would be nice if you could comment on your impressions of the book.

[chetday]

Thanks so much, chetday and Mark. Chetday and Brian, if you get a chance after reading the book, it would be nice if you could comment on your impressions of the book.

Jack, I'll be happy to share my impressions of the book and will do so as soon as possible after it lands in my mailbox or on my front porch.

[Jack Shalom]

Some people have asked why Jerry chose the term "Perverse Magic." He uses it as historical homage to Australian magician Charles Waller, author of Up His Sleeve, who in that book first described at some length this approach to magic. I thought some might enjoying seeing a reproduction of that page from Waller's 1920 book. Waller included three examples of what he called Perverse Magic. Here are the first two:

[Joe Mckay]

Charles Waller was very interesting. I never understood why his work is not discussed more often.

I first heard about his work after Jeff Busby reviewed one of his books in an old newsletter advertising a mixture of old & new books. He said he was the Paul Harris of his day, and that was more than enough to grab my attention.

[Joe Mckay]

Here is a fun illusion by Charles Waller called Transmogrification.

It appeared in Greater Magic, GENII and the Mark Wilson Book of Magic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KzXMhKUuI4

[MagicbyAlfred]

That Jerry would agree to the distribution of the book only if the proceeds go to charity speaks volumes about the man. I, for one, have certainly been influenced by his posts on this Forum. And it was a great idea Jack had to compile Jerry's magic in book form.

I had never been aware of the Open Heart Magic organization, but what they are doing is fabulous and they are worthy and fitting recipients of the proceeds from the book.

I have to chuckle when I picture a magician walking into a heart patient's room at a hospital, dressed in white, and announcing, "Hi, I'm your Cardologist."

[Jack Shalom]

Here a video of an effect of Jerry's that I made a few years ago. It's one of scores of effects in the book:

https://jackshalom.net/2015/09/29/the-m ... ks-i-hope/

[chetday]

Jack and Jerry, my copy of Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years arrived yesterday, and it's a really nice addition to my library. I especially appreciate the way the pages open and lay flat so it's super easy to read and practice the effects without having to constantly move a cast iron bacon press to hold the pages down.

My wife's currently in bed with the flu, and I'm trying to keep her comfortable, so it's going to be a few days before I test my favorite perverse magic effects on her and then put a review together, but I haven't forgotten.

I can already say, however, from skimming through the book that this is money very well spent, not to mention an excellent opportunity to support a worthy magical charity.

[Brian Douglas]

My book arrived today. I'll read through it tonight.

[Evan Shuster]

My book is due to arrive any day now.

This has been one of my favorite forum threads for so many years. I always looked forward to the 1st of each month, and the arrival of a new post (or three).

Happy to support, and to finally have a fully formatted hard copy!

Thanks to Gerald for the enormous undertaking, and certainly to Jack for his diligence in bringing this finished version to the community.

[Joe M. Turner]

Ordered. Looking forward to this.

[Evan Shuster]

Received my book yesterday. I'm impressed with the updated layout, and multiple format corrections. The book has the look and feel of a textbook, and lays flat when open. I appreciate having the bound volume. Nicely done!

[Jack Shalom]

I thought some may enjoy seeing the first two pages of the index to Magicians, Books, and Periodicals cited:

[Jack Shalom]

M.U.M , the official magazine of the Society of American Magicians, just published a rave review by Norman Beck of Jerry's book in its new May issue. Here's the first paragraph:

"This book is not like any magic book I have — and that is a good thing. I liked it very much and will have it for a long time. I have never heard of the guy who wrote it, but he mentions being friends with Bob Elliot and David Roth. That is good enough for me."

You can order the book here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 35173.html

[Doug Thornton]

Jack, your other links work, your recent one is missing part of the link.

This works:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 35173.html

[Jack Shalom]

Thank you, Doug. Much appreciated.

[Jack Shalom]

I notice that Lulu has a 15% off sale until May 2nd with promo code ONEFIVE.

[wrathmall]

Does anyone have more information on a review of this? It looks interesting, and I'm all for helping a good cause, but I would like to know a little more. Unfortunately I am not a member of the Society of American Magicians and therefore don't have access to the M.U.M article.

Many thanks in advance.

[Gerald Deutsch]

I think you may find what you're looking for in prior posts to this thread above.

[Spector]

Nice short routines and a couple of essays that really solidified for me how a nonprofessional magician should be presenting magic. Bang for buck this book has it.

[Jack Shalom]

There's a nice mention of Jerry's book by Andy over at The Jerx, here:

http://www.thejerx.com/blog/2019/6/12/d ... -of-woofle

[Jack Shalom]

Excuse the crass commercialism here, but this is too good and too timely to pass up:

WOW!! Only today, December 2, Lulu is having a 30% off sale! What a great time to pick up a few for yourself and/or others! The same amount still goes to charity for each book--Lulu takes the hit for the lower price.

Put in this promo code at checkout: CYBERMONDAY30

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 62817.html

[performer]

Much better in book form. I always thought that the posts were wasted somewhat on here. A magic forum is too ephemeral a place for this material. It is a very good thing to have it permanently on record to be referenced rather than vanish and be forgotten within days of being posted.

[Jack Shalom]

LOL, good news--I just got an email from Lulu that their 30% off sale will continue for one more day, through midnight tonight, December 3. So if you missed yesterday's announcement, you have another chance.

Promo code: CYBERMONDAY30

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gerald-deutsch ... 62817.html

[chetday]

I have Gerald's book and it's terrific. A steal at the usual price, a fantastic deal with the 30% off. Grab one today. It would make a nice Christmas gift, that's for sure, too.

[Jack Shalom]

And...Lulu is still pushing the holiday discounts. This time it's 15% off until this Thursday 12/12. Use promo code ONEFIVE. Nice gift for yourself or friend.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/http://www.lul ... 62817.html

[Jack Shalom]

Wow, another rave review is in. The new January 2020 issue of The Linking Ring, the official magazine of the International Brotherhood (and Sisterhood, too, please) of Magicians, just gave a great review by Jason Goldberg to Jerry's Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years.

Here are some excerpts:

* "The scope is astonishing and comprehensive, covering a number of props from cards to coins and olives and settings from stage to casual dining with friends."

* "The book is suitable for all skill levels...The benefit for all skill levels is in studying how Deutsch takes tricks, including many which are commonly known, and applies his thinking of perverse magic to their scripting."

* "Reading the book gave me ideas of how to perform the tricks that Deutsch offers, as well as how to apply the concepts to tricks I already know. [It's] an important contribution to the magic community because it allows for strong thinking well beyond its pages."

Click on the link right below in my signature for more information and how to order at popular prices.