First of all, I will like to thank Nique from coming down to meet me and pass me this book. And here is the review about the his book, "Working with Crowds"

Personally, I not a book guy and I simply don't like the idea of reading words to words and getting idea out from books. But Nique's book delivered it differently.

His book, there is no Ulitmate Magic Trick written inside, but I will say that this book is a gem for any level of Magicians to look at. Esp Amataur Magician like myself that is more of a close up mentalist Magician. The touch of this book's idea is to tell you about working with crowds while doing close up magic and the things that might happen.

Yes, most of us will think we won't need this kind of stuff when it comes to performing. But in this book, Nique is not really teaching you on how to handle people. But the most valuable part is his experience. A professional's experience in the real world is something that you cannot buy and he wrote it out in the book to explain his first show, to his current show, his way of handling.

The book is broken down into many many parts and he gives his thoughts and past experiences as examples to give you an idea of what is happening. In this book, several key points are also marked out as the basic understanding of close up before going out there to do your magic. That includes handling hecklers, handling your props, preparing your props, showmanship, and not forgetting, the clients that you are selling yourself to. Being able to perform and being professional is totally different and his book marks out and highlight the important concepts also.

I personally find the book very adapting to me, and answering all of my questions as a close up magicians, from approaching, to executing, to cleaning up. And handling situations that are forbidden to you, like noisy clubs, sudden changes of client plans, etc. Nique suggested his way of handling people and I myself never thought of that. Most of us will want to challenge the rights of the audience and making sure we got a firm hold on the ground, but we always forget that it is the audience we are entertaining, and offending them will not reflect good to the client and also to the magician himself. The method he suggested is indeed surprisingly and I have to say that, it will work. You just have to try it yourself.

Though the book is written like a storybook, but a storybook that contains the story of a great magician is well deserved to own. And I feel sad for Nique for the lost of the jumbo coin, and I hope that the kid won't be using that coin to buy sweets.

Last but not least, I think that this is a must get book for magicians that wanted to venture out and not just a friend's magician.

Thank you
Larry
(P.S Sorry Nique, I only read 4/5 of the book due to the constraint time I have, but well done on the book, I love it, and I forget to get you to sign my book)

Larry:

Didn't see your review earlier as I seldom pop by these days.

Thanks alot for your kind words and am glad that you enjoyed your read.

Cheers,

Nique.

Nique, you da man! Don't know if you remmeber me, but you da man!!! How would your book be diff from Strong Magic by Darwin O? More reviews please, anyone else bought the book? Thanks dudes!!!

Hi Ian,

I would probably remember you if you gave me some hints.

Anyway, I wrote this book not with the intention of making loads of money or for personal glory. In fact, it wouldn't matter to me one bit if I didn't even sell a single copy.

This book to me is something personal, something to serve as a memory of how things used to be for me as a performer (in the future). That's not to say that everything I've written in the book I no longer practise, but as an artist, things must always constantly change and evolve. One of my idols in magic has told me: the saddest things is to have stopped evolving as a performer.

Think of the book as a time capsule of sorts for me.

I needed a place to look back and see how things have changed for me; perceptions, style, effects, presentations, working preferences etc. I know I'll look back at this book one day and smile at the transformation I've gone through - hence the book.

In writing the book, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on things in my life and compare it with how it has changed and where I am now. It's a diary of my thoughts on this journey, in the hope of becoming a magician some day. Even now, my approach to the performance of magic has changed drastically. Those who've known me long enough (and who care) should know.

Thanks to all who bought the book.

Nique.

Nique, any chance that you'll still have any copies left?

I would be interested in learning from your experience and perspective.
Thanks.

Hi Jlowhy,

I just dug into my shelf and I do have a handful of copies left. PM me and we'll arrange to get it to you!

Thanks.

PS: The book's entitled "Working the Crowd".