Mark Strivings – A Strange Compendium

Twenty years ago I wrote my first book on bizarre magick. The reason for it was that I had been invited by my friend, Joe Cabral, to lecture and perform for

 the ICBM's annual Gathering. So the time seemed right to put some of my bizarre ideas into print. It was a marvelous convention and I would love to come

 back sometime.

 

Flash forward ten years to 2011. I decided to put more of my bizarre natterings into print, and I put out another smallish tome that contained some of the

 strongest material of any sort that I have ever recorded.

 

Well, here we are, another ten years later. That first book in 2001 was entitled 'Strange Thoughts', and the second one ten years ago was called 'Strange

 Connections'. The first was a collection of bizarre mixed with some decidedly strange mentalism which blurred the line between the two genres, hence the 

name. The second book was primarily a collection of bizarre combinations. Rather than singular effects, for the most part it contained multi-phased effects.

 Literal combinations of bizarre ideas.

 

Both of these fall into a category that I refer to as 'boutique' publications, meaning the intended target audience is quite small, and the resulting material is 

not what you would call voluminous. It was quality over quantity. And the resulting cost of obtaining those titles was reflected in that dynamic. In short, they

 were a bit on the expensive side measured on a per page basis when compared to the majority of general magic publications.

 

Well, I come to you today for two reasons. First is to announce that effective immediately 'Strange Thoughts' and 'Strange Connections' are officially out of 

print as solo publications. I do have a very small handful of each title on hand for those who are collectors of such things who might wish to obtain a copy, 

but once they are gone there will be no more. Contact me if you'd like more info.

 

Secondly though, I am pleased to announce that I have completely redone both of those titles, updated things that needed to be updated and added new 

material, all into one volume of bizarre goodness. Plus, it is now all collected together between two covers for a much better overall price. Rejoice!

 

It is my distinct pleasure to bring you…

 

A Strange Compendium

by Mark Strivings

 

Both 'Strange Thoughts' and 'Strange Connections' are out of print. BUT, the complete contents of those two tomes has been updated, expanded upon 

in its entirety and collected together into one amazing book. But wait, there's more!

 

In addition to the complete updated contents of the original two books, I have added an entire new section of effects and material. All of this strangeness 

has been collected between two covers at a killer price.

 

Contents include:

 

Tarot-Optic (easily one of the most effective Tarot effects ever), with three different versions, including one that I marketed at one point…

 

two Voodoo effects (including one of my all-time most performed effects of any genre, which absolutely kills)…

 

a couple of genuinely bizarre (ahem…) card effects…

 

a bizarre torture illusion that will fit into your briefcase. This last piece goes clear back to high school for me. Briefly, a spectator is brought onstage along 

with two other helpers. A 40 foot piece of rope is shown to have a large kitchen knife knotted into the exact center. The spectator is told to hold the knife 

pointed towards his midsection and then the ends of the rope are wrapped around him a few times and the remaining length pulled out to each side. On 

the count of three the extra helpers will pull the ends of the rope, effectively impaling your main volunteer on the knife. When the count is given, the rope

 itself visually penetrates your helper and all is well! No pun intended, but this one is a killer.

 

Bell, Book and Candle – My extremely strange handling for this classic plot. The three items are used to cast a curse, and it is shown that the curse is indeed

 very real. A prediction effect like you have never seen before. Downright creepy.

 

Bell, Book and Candle II – My updated handling which is even creepier than my original, and much more convincing. This is strong stuff!

 

Timber! – My handling of the classic falling block effect. This is a combination of several ideas that come crashing together, literally, to create a finale that

 no other handling can even touch. There is no other PK effect like this anywhere in the literature in that it has multiple phases and a crashing finale. If you

 have ever considered doing a falling block effect you must check this out. Here’s the kicker, it’s virtually self working!

 

The Hand of Glory, Glorified – This is easily the creepiest item in the book. An ancient key turns on its own in the palm of a severed hand and opens a lock

 several feet away! It’s just my own opinion, of course, but this is by far the creepiest handling for the Hand Of Glory effect I have ever seen, read or used. 

It elicits literal screams and utter amazement every time I do it. There’s simply nothing else like it anywhere. I honestly feel this is one of the finest effects 

I have ever put into print.

 

More Footprints In The Snow – A severed toe from Bigfoot comes to life. If you are a fan of the amazing work of Doug Higley and his marvelously strange 

creations, then this is for you. It’s an extension of a routine by the great Ron Dayton called ‘Footprints In The Snow’ wherein a severed toe from Bigfoot 

(yes, that Bigfoot) moves on its own. Downright weird!

 

The Haunted Hand – A disembodied hand hanging from the gallows writes a randomly selected name. Many years ago my friend Dexter from California 

released a marvelous effect of a severed hand that moves on its own. It is a fabulous prop but there was really no routine for it. This is the definitive routine 

and is a killer for any audience. Don’t have a ‘Haunted Hand’? No worries, I explain how to create one of your own.

 

Darkness' Other Daughter – my favorite handling and presentation for the classic ashes on the palm effect. This elicits screams.

 

Isolated Printing – I do spirit writing in every bizarre show that I do and this is my favorite close up version. Absolutely incredible!

 

Obssessive Odontology – the complete low down on a marvelously strange prediction effect using human teeth that I put out in an extremely limited edition 

awhile back (sold out, don't bother asking) which you can easily put together yourself. This is decidedly strange.

 

All of this and much more is all now between two covers for your dining and dancing pleasure. In all there are at least 23 effects in this amazing tome, maybe

 more, depending on how you count. Regardless, it's a killer collection of strangeness that is absolutely delicious.

 

In all this tome weighs in at over 85 pages, comb bound in card covers. It can be all yours for only…