The Approach by Jamie D. Grant
A Complete guide to becoming a Working Magician - Incredible Workbook format!
(yes you will actually be writing and taking some notes to better yourself...imagine that. The fact that I am an educator...I love this aspect. Now by all means if you want to keep your book all nice and blank, then don't.)
Softcover - see attached image at bottom
Page Count 286
Chapter Count 103 - For all of you who are doing the math....you guessed it. Most of the chapters are 1-2 and a half pages long. What? That's bull crap. Why would Jamie cheat us on information. Jamie has not done this, I assure you. His writing style allows him to be brief, yet convey his message in a short, concise manner to deliver the goods.
Speaking of writing style. This is the first book I've ever seen where the author changes some fonts on certain words to show emphasis and break up the monotony of a lot of text on a page. He also uses highlighting on key points to remember. Well done Jamie and this makes the readability flow nicely and not seem like you are reading a huge novel.
I read the entire book in a few hours and I am not a speed reader by any means. This is a book that you can and will go back to over and over again for reference.
Below is a list of every topic that Jamie covers so I will not get into details on that. Just browse the list below and you'll see the plethora of topics he has covered.
Chapter List
1|How many tricks you should know -Article
2|Who are you? -Study
3|Developing your sets~ Part I -Lesson
4|How to practice -Essay
5|Your Magic Fridays -Anecdote (This is crucial to your success and preparation before paid gigs. I know because I do it)
6|Business cards -Advice
7|Websites -Tip
8|How Do You Look? -Study
9|What are you wearing? -Advice
10|Funny or serious? -Anecdote
11|Are you any good yet? -Lesson
12|Starting Conversations -Advice
13|Touching people -Trick
14|How Much To Charge? -Article
15|The Cocktail Party -Essay
16|Getting started -Advice
17|Volunteer gigs and charities -Advice
18|What to say in emails -Tip
19|The telephone call -Trick
20|Getting There -Lesson
21|Developing Sets- Part 2 -Article
22|Silence -Advice
23|What does my contract looks like? -Anecdote
24|Transitions -Advice
25|Conquering nerves -Article
26|How to get gigs -Essay
27|Getting ready for your first one -Essay
28|Fingernail care -Trick
29|How much time to prepare -Tip
30|Pocket management -Article
31|Your list -Study
32|THE BIG SECRET -Trick
33|Your closeup bag/case -Advice
34|Things to never forget -Tip
35|Hat or No hat? -Essay
36|The handshake -Tip
37|What to put in the lobby -Trick
38|Who to approach first? -Article
39|My first effect -Advice
40|What rubberbands to use -Tip
41|Moving through a room -Article
42|The first words you (I) say -Essay
43|Highs and lows -Article
44|Getting applause -Essay
45|More transitions -Study
46|Saying goodbye to your group -Essay
47|Tables versus standing -Advice
48|Dealing with the Alpha male -Article
49|Staying in one spot -Advice
50|Busted! -Advice
51|Getting compliments -Tip
52|Letting spectators shuffle -Article
53|Reset. Reset -Study
54|Venue Staff -Tip
55|Kids at an event -Advice
56|Burning through material -Lesson
57|How many hours? -Lesson
58|Remembering names -Article
59|When to show the event planner -Tip
60|The card force I always use -Anecdote
61|Accepting tips -Article
62|Wallets -Anecdote
63|Handing out business cards -Tip
64|What to never borrow -Anecdote
65|Someone wants to show a trick -Article
66|Regular decks -Study
67|Weddings -Lesson
68|Large tables -Anecdote
69|Do you join them for dinner? -Anecdote
70|Vest or jacket? -Tip
71|The second Big Secret -Trick
72|Do it again -Article
73|Another magician shows up -Anecdote
74|Gigs outside -Advice
75|When only ten people show up -Anecdote
76|Do you need a stage show? -Study
77|Dance floors -Advice
78|Checking back in -Tip
79|Dropping cards -Tip
80|Sponge balls -Trick
81|Dealing with disappointment -Advice
82|Hecklers -Article
83|Open versus closed body language -Lesson
84|One handed spectators -Anecdote
85|Stick lines -Essay
86|Lone stragglers -Tip
87|Journal -Advice
88|Leaving them with something -Essay
89|Custom decks -Article
90|False memories -Article
91|Invoices -Article
92|How to get testimonials -Article
93|Getting all the money -Article
94|Increasing rates -Tip
95|Busking -Advice
96|Repeat gigs -Study
97|Pictures -Tip
98|Social media -Advice
99|Going full time
100|Agents -Anecdote
101|Essay -Article
102|Go get it -Advice
103|The beginning -Thanks
Cost: $75.00
Now, before some of you start throwing your hands up in the air and screaming that you would never pay that kind of money for a softcover book....please don't. Do NOT buy this book! I wouldn't want too many guys with this kind of knowledge in their magic arsenal. There is way too much real working advice that Jamie has poured into this from his blood sweat and tears. 10 years of trials and errors in the trenches is real work. I'll be honest in that I wouldn't have wanted to share all of this information myself so he is being VERY generous. Some of the items / ideas that he shares are worth the cost of the book alone by themselves.
I am so mad that Jamie did not release this book 10 years ago when I was first starting out in magic. This book is like a swiss army knife / survival guide for beginners, hobbyists, and semi professionals looking to improve every aspect of their walk around and close up work.
Questions you may ask prior to purchasing.
I wonder if Rick is saying all of this because Jamie Grant sent him a book for free?
Nope, I paid full price from Penguin and only hope that JB will carry it here as well. It would be a great first book for Theory 11 to offer its members.
Think I'm still lying. Read these reviews as well at Penguin.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/3753#reviews
I am a beginner and don't have the first clue what I am doing. Is this book for me?
YES, YES, and YES. The information contained on these pages will save you numerous headaches and move you up the learning curve very rapidly. It is imperative that you gain an understanding of how and why Jamie's information and hints work.
What if I am already working gigs and making good money?
My advice to you is that you will find yourself agreeing with most of the information on these pages because if you were like me....you to were thrown into the trenches and learned on your own by failing. Do you still need this book? I think you will still find a few items / suggestions given by Jamie that you will want to test the waters with, however, I think you will find it difficult to find yourself justifying paying $75.00 compared to a beginner that doesn't know hardly any of this information. It is still a fantastic book and probably in my top 5 out of 75 books I own.
Am I going to learn magic tricks in this book?
Nope. This book is all about the nitty gritty real working knowledge that is a must have that you need to know before you even pull a trick out of your pocket and try to entertain an audience.
I am a stage worker. Does any of this information pertain to me?
Some of it will, but this is most definitely geared towards the close up, walk around, table hopping type of performer who works receptions, cocktail parties and the like.
What if I own David Stone's Close up Book that is only half the cost of this book? Are they different enough?
Yes. I own both books and they are both necessary for your repertoire.
If anyone has any other questions for me regarding Jamie's book....please feel free to post.
Well Done Jamie...thanks for sharing your expertise with our community. Loved it!
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