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Sheherazade
by Ulf Bolling-Borodin
SOLD OUT!!!!!!
translated and edited by Bill Palmer
If you do any kind of story magic at all, this is the book for you!
If you have Magical Adventures and Fairy Tales or Once Upon a Time by Punx, you don't want to miss this one!
If you have been kicking yourself because you missed out on the Punx books, you definitely want to get this book.
Sheherazade is not a magic book. Sheherazade is also not a story book. Sheherazade is the successful synthesis of the two.
This book contains extremely refined routines which are easy to perform. They are dressed up in artistic presentations which transform them into exciting miracles which captivate and please not only the eye, but also the ear of the audience.
And this causes an interesting phenomenon: the magic takes place in the minds, in the fantasies of the audience.
The first section deals with stories that have a feeling of fairy tales.
The second section "Midnight Stories" quickly teaches the audience the meaning of horror. Thanks to Borodin's elegantly composed words, this is the stylistically the finest and magically the most exacting presentation of the often very rough field of Bizarre Magic, which is enjoying such a great success in today's world of magic.
The third section presents the reader with the broad field of mental magic. Here Borodin presents his fabulously outstanding technical knowledge which is framed in exciting presentations.
When Sheherazed was printed in German in 1999, it took the German world of magic by storm. In 2000, Ulf Bolling-Borodin was awarded the Author of the Year Award by the Magic Circle of Germany for this book. There are 32 routines, 320 pages, lots of photos and line drawings.
Borodin was considered by Punx to be his best student. He is a master storyteller and a very creative magician.
Most of this material will be completely new to the English-speaking world.
There are enchanting tales that will keep you spellbound, horror stories that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck and mental mysteries that will convince your audience that you really can read their minds.
All of these routines have been thoroughly audience tested. There are no pipe dreams here.
As of now, fewer than 1000 copies will be printed. It is available from us, from Stevens Magic Emporium, H&R Magic Books, Collector's Workshop and from selected magic dealers.
However, if you missed out, consider Borodin's latest book,
Final Curtain
Reviews and excerpted quotes
From Banachek -- mentalist and paranormal performer
Borodin's Sheherazade
This is a beautiful book.
I am not talking about the cover, or the look
of the book, although this cloth hard 8 1/2 by 11 tome is nice to look at
and to hold in one's hands. I'm talking about the contents. Even if this
was not a magic book the stories would make the book well worth the
purchase. They delight, enthrall, frame and set up the incredible magic that takes
place.
This book has made me a fan of Borodin. And about the fact it is
well worth the price -- it is worth ten times more.
Banachek
From Richard Osterlind
Yesterday I received the Borodin Book Sheherazade and I can't tell you how delighted I am! Very often when one receives a book it is easy to say how good it is and then put it away on a shelf.... This is never the case with Ted Lesley's material nor is it with this one. I have told Ted a few times how I want to move in a new direction with my work especially since my new videos contain just about everything I have ever created. The Borodin book has given me inspiration and I am already creating a new routine based on the material.
From the Linking Ring
Appropriate to its name, this is a book of stories, stories illustrating very powerful magic and mentalism stunners. Stunners because of the emotional impact and power of the stories and the appropriateness of the "happenings" which warm the hearts, chill the senses, and boggle the minds of those who witness them. Borodin, a.k.a. Ulf Bolling, was a student and friend of Punx, the great German magician and storyteller. It is clear that he learned well, very well, indeed.
The book is divided into three major sections: The first, "Once Upon a Time, There Was..." and consists of stories illustrated by one or more magical happenings. They are stories of love, of dreams, of generally happy if slightly disturbing endings. The second "Midnight Stories" are stories of bizarre magick Please appreciate that these are not stories for everyone, for only those with strong personalities, voices, and the ability to present this type of chilling entertainment. The third major section is "Mental Mysteries," and there are some very ingenious, very strong effects here. Actually, I would recommend the book for this section alone, and there is so much else of value in this book to make the thinking magician do just that.
"Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain" presents some tools Borodin feels are essential to the magical and midnight story teller. Some may surprise you. This is followed by the first Material Safety Data Sheets published in a magic book due to the dangers inherent in using some of the chemicals used in the effects. We heartily applaud this precaution for we also published MSD Sheets with the Don Lynch Chemical Magic Parade some years ago.
In short, this is a book of superb presentations for those who can do them. For others, it is my belief that any magician can learn from the superb construction of the presentations and apparatus and the thinking that makes the combination so effective. Highly recommended.
PRW
Philip R. Willmarth
Executive Editor
The Linking Ring
From Larry White, Magic Editor of MUM
I am privileged to be holding a copy of a book that belongs in the
library of every magician who understand the power of story-telling, "bizarre,"
magic. The book is SHEHERAZADE, written by Borodin, a German magician and
mentalist. It was translated from German by Bill Palmer.
First let me describe it physically. This is a large size hard cover book
that is beautifully produced and printed. The volume measures nearly 9
by 12 inches and contains 312 pages. The book is divided into four parts:
Once Upon A Time There Was... ( nine beautiful tales),
Midnight (Bizarre) Stories (appropriately, thirteen of them),
Mental Mysteries (thirteen of these as well),
Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain (methods and techniques for
the storyteller and mentalist).
Because a Borodin employs a number of chemicals, some relatively dangerous, the last section of the book contains the
MSDS's (Material Safety Data Sheets) for fourteen chemicals.
Obviously there is a lot to be learned from what is given between the
covers of this book. Let me begin by stating there is indeed "Something for
everyone." This promise now allows me to offer you brief descriptions of
a few of the offerings I personally most enjoyed.
My absolute favorite is the first you will encounter. THE RING OF
SHEHERAZADE. This sets the tone of Borodin's style of story weaving and
contains one of the most amazing props I have ever encountered. Imagine if you will
opening a box and finding it empty except for a small circular spot in the center.
Then slowly, unbelievably, a finger ring MATERIALIZES on that spot. The ring
is removed and displayed then returned where it once again slowly fades back
to nothingness. This is as close to a true apparition as you will ever
see. And, to further intrigue you... not every person in the room will even see it
for, as the story explains... only if you are a "true believer" (and, frankly,
at the right angle).
The book does not go downhill after this mind-blower. Borodin's
creativity in crafting unusual props fill the pages that follow. A few examples --
By catching starlight, in NEVILLE AND THE SILENT BEAUTY, an unprepared glass
of wine is caused to glow. A beautiful necklace is taken... or is it not taken...
in the touching tale of NANCY AND THE EMERALD NECKLACE. In THE
PHILOSOPHER'S STONE a lump of lead instantly turns into a lump of gold. A severed
hand writes in JOHN KEYSIE'S HAND. And a handkerchief placed on a table slowly
becomes stained with blood (using a diabolically clever method) in IRENE.
Borodin's mental effects are equally clever and unusual.... And, my
favorite of all in this section is BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER... a very
funny routine which uses a most unusual prop, a baby that cries on command.
Believe me now, this is just the briefest sampling of what's in store
for you in this book. You will be entertained and educated at every page. Even
if you do not make the wonderful props you will be dazzled by them. You
will find fresh presentations and methods. After just a dozen pages you will agree
that the investment you made in this book was a "steal." It will sit proudly
on your shelf next to the works of Andruzzi, Punx, Cameron, Brother Shadow
and Poinc. SHEHERAZADE has my absolutely highest recommendation. Buy one!
Oh, and one final convincer. In the year 2000 The Magic Circle of Germany
awarded Borodin the "Author Of The Year" award for SHEHERAZADE. Now,
thanks to Bill Palmer's translation, you can learn why it deserved this recognition.
From Brother Shadow -- reviewer and bizarre/story magic editor of MUM
A book review
Sheherazade
by Borodin
Translated into English by Bill Palmer, A.I.M.C.
Borodin was a student of Punx and learned the power of story telling to
bring wonder to magic.
This book contains thirty-six routines used by Borodin broken down into
three categories; Magical Tales, Midnight Stories, and Mental Mysteries, and
much more.
It is a beautifully produced hard cover book. Saying that, if there was
nothing else in the book but his first routine, “The Ring of Sheherazade,”
the book would be worth far more than the cost.
The book is a gem for those of us who love the presentation of magic and
the joy of hunting for just the right props to make our routines memorable for
our audiences.
And for those of who can and enjoy making their props, and are crafted
enough to do it, Borodin gives the full detail.
There is also a section in the book which will give you detail information
on chemicals that you may use. How to use them and the cautions needed.
In reading the book, I felt like I was talking to Punx again. In fact this
book is going along side of Punx’s trilogy on my library shelf.
For those of you who truly care about the way you present your magic, this
book is a must.
Very highly recommended.
Brother Shadow
From Gregg Chmara -- Mind and Magic Forum
I cannot figure a way to describe this book without using some very trite superlatives.
If you consider that Fitzgerald translated Omar Kayam from a leg of mutton eaten under the shade with cool water and bread to: A Jug of Wine under the bough -- A loaf of bread and thou.....
You can consider that starting with really great material as created by Borodin in German it would take an English Speaking poet and magician to translate the work while keeping it as poetic as the original intention -- and true to the magic of the word and the effect as possible.
Bill Palmer, A.I.M.C. has proven himself to be a master at the daunting task of catching the true poetic genius of these VERY SIMPLE tricks routined to perfection with true story and motivation.
Be aware, however, if you are the type of magician who dances his/her way into the illusion with nary a word -- there is very little to nothing here for you. IN FACT this book might put you in the danger of actually wanting to talk -- and verily -- even ACT on stage during your presentations.
ON THE TECH SIDE I find the inclusion of the MSDS sheets on all materials suggested or discussed in the book not only most professional -- but an aid that all book and instruction writers could learn from.
Needless to says -- the thousands of dollars in problems this book has saved me in research will probably be re-allocated to building up some of the trick versions discussed here into my own framework.
I am envious of Bill Palmer (the translator) who had the book in hand to USE as he translated it.....giving him (and German readers and performers) a running head start into this type of very dramatic, very personally effective magic(k).
Gregg Chmara
I wish to thank all of our reviewers for their comments and opinions.
For more information on ordering Sheherazade click here.
Dealers who carry Sheherazade (and sometimes, other Adesso Verlag publications)
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