Richard Osterlind is one of my heros and I love his work. But when I got this and watched his
video, I first thought, hey, I already knew how this works . . . but even so, the little details and
wonderful advice and useful hints and wonderful subtelties Richard provides makes this SO worthwhile
and SO useful and SO magical. Thanks, Richard, for sharing all of this.
6 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
I used to have a product similar to this that I bought at Tannen's decades ago. This version has
many improved tweaks and better handling suggestions than I ever expected. Well worth the money.
5 of 5 magicians found this helpful.
I love Ricard Odterlind's work. I really do. This trick? Not so much... The method is solid, sure,
but is based on old low tech solution - that can be achieved easier and cleaner.
You need
arts & crafts here, and the book is not fully examinable.
As an example, you can make an
easier gimmicked book with Psypher, or even have an ungimmicked book with it, and still achieve the
same result.
It also reminded me of the "Word in a million" Nicholas Einhorn method.
Osterlind is a great mentalist. This trick - not so great...
4 of 5 magicians found this helpful.
This is a great book test. The effect itself isn't "new". However Richard Osterlind gives a great
updated effect and wonderful handling.
With the proper handling this is an absolute killer!!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I use this in my show and typically get gasps. The gimmick is easy to make and the versatility means
that one can use literally any book. The method is very clever and elegant in its simplicity. While
easy to perform, the theatrical element will take a clever trick to an artful piece of theatre.
Penguin has edited out a step in the performance - unfortunately. Not sure why. Still, you get
the idea...
This is a powerful effect and I recommend it highly.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
Easy to preform good mental effect
2 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
Richard Osterlind uses this, so you know this must be good and it is ... one of the fairest=looking
book tests and at a very attractive price, which is fair because of the preparation this requires.
The reason I assigned The Astral Word four stars rather than five is first, it requires
damaging a book. This, though, is a minor issue. But the preparation involved in readying the book
for usage is exacting and requires more fuss than I at least am uncomfortable with. But that
probably won't buy other users, who will most likely assign The Astral Word five stars.
Marvin Kaye,
Author, "The Handbook of Mental Magic"
1 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
Richard does a fine job of updating older effects,. His update here, makes it more up to date and
direct.
Free choice of words from any book. All the room in the world for presentation. Nothing for the
audience to question or back track. I don't close w/ this I like to put it earlier in a
performance it usually gives the skeptics a moment of awe.
I love this mentalism trick by Mr. Osterlind. I couldn't figure out how this was done so I
downloaded it. You know there are some tricks that you buy and never do them, not this. This, I'll
enjoy performing (just have to wait for one of the ingredients for this trick to arrive). Cant wait
to show off my psychic talents :)