"This book is going to be a classic. Punx takes the simplest of effects and weaves an 'entertainment factor' about them that makes it a delight to read and easy to perform. His artistry blends magic and fantasy. A true example of making magic - magick!" - Masklyn ye Mage
Punx was the acknowledged master of 'Magic as Theater', actually the creator, where the performance takes center stage and method only serves the role to support and enable the performance. There are wonderful stories, excellent tips on tricks and handling, and deep insights into the Art of Performing Magic.
Punx (Ludwig Hanemann) was awarded the Hofzinser Ring for having created a new style of magic - magic as theater. Here Punx shows us the importance of the entertainment factor in a magical presentation. He weaves fascinating poetic stories around often neglected magic tricks. These are then elevated to masterpieces of showmanship.
In the final section, the reader is invited to a participate in Punx's thought processes as he develops a miracle: The Amulet. With similar miracles, the common trickster can become a master magician. It is not the trick, but the presentation that entertains. A good presentation has a long life in the mind of the spectator, while a trick is soon forgotten.
Do not call me just a magician or a conjuror;
storyteller would be just right ...
Come, sit at my feet and smile.
Forget there was a yesterday
and that tomorrow will come.
(Translated from the German by Bill Palmer.)
1st edition 1988, 2nd edition 2000 under the title "Once Upon a Time...", 1st digital edition 2013, 103 pages.
Table of Contents
- Translator's Preface to the E-Book
- Publisher's Preface
- Translator's Introduction
- When the Fairy Tale Encountered Truth
Part 1. Magical Fairy Tales
- The Story of the Heart of Glass
- The Story of the Pixie's Little Magic Cloak
- The Story of the Four Wishes
- A Legend from India
- The Story of the Chinese Compass
Part 2. Magical Adventures and Tall Tales
- Peace on Earth
- The Magic Fans
- The Haunted Key
- The Nightmare
- Adventure in the Madhouse
- Adventure at the Fish Market
- Capt'n Squinty
- The Colorblind Policeman
- The Duel With the Psychiatrist
- The Man With the Golden Arm
- Kismet
Part 3. Bonus
- The Amulet
- Epilogue
word count: 32043 which is equivalent to 128 standard pages of text
Reviewed by Virginia Hankins (confirmed purchase)
★★★★★ Date Added: Tuesday 22 April, 2025Whimsical, enchanting, nostalgic. This is a key, historical, book in magical story telling and scripting that incorporates tricks rather than being a book about tricks that incorporates some patter. The writing in this book is reminiscent of the the style that Walt Disney himself used to use when he was alive. It's tight, vibrant, and an amazing example of what story telling can be like. It doesn't talk down to the audience in its scripting but is also non-pretentious. The printed work is around 103 total pages and has an easy to follow flow. Everything in it is well organized with the name of the effect, the script, and then the description of the trick / methods used. By following that repeatable format you can easily flip around in the book to the content of interest, read it, and then use the explanation to study and think about the use of words and scripting. The manuscript is right for a person who has a working knowledge of magic and can easily follow the "directions" that the writing provides. There are limited photos in it - you'll need to have a solid mental picture for context or be able to do YouTube etc. research to really break stuff apart to play with it. As an example, one section states "use the Slydini newspaper tear" or another sentence in a different part reads "You must have recognized our immortal Four Ace Trick immediately. For this presentation you need jumbo cards." Statements like that show that the author assumes that (a) you have a working knowledge of the body of magic, much like a proficient cook would know how to interpret a directive like "start with a white sponge cake" in a recipe and (b) you also know what the materials he's using are (like jumbo cards). As long as you are a well-read person of magic then you will be able to easily read and understand the contents. The English translation, while beautiful, isn't overly wordy and is succinct where it needs to be. Notes on why you need certain things or to say certain things are mentioned where they are needed. Keep in mind that this is a book of its own time in history that is reminiscent of beliefs, opinions, fables, and fairy tales from another time in history - such as the years during and around World War 2. Some of the stories / effects pull from Wales, England, Germany, India, Scotland, and China. Nothing in this book is modern, but it isn't intended to be.