*******

"There are these two books about DeNomolos‹Strange Offerings and Egyptian Magic. I had worries.  $50 for each book seems a bit much.  I appreciate, but do not care to pay for beautiful photographs.  I do not build props.  I do not care to hunt for mechanical things that are long absent from the marketplace. And, DeNomolos does not like card tricks.

I ordered the books anyway.  They have been in my playroom for some time. It can be several years before  get around to reading what I purchase.  (It is too embarrassing for me to name some magic books I purchased years ago and I have not read yet.)  But I did read them after only about a month's delay.  This is just a first reading.  My basic reaction is that I will read them many times in the years to come.

There are card tricks in these books.  Yes.  Even quite a few of them (I counted six out of twenty-nine effects in Strange Offerings).  Of course, DeNomolos might not call them card tricks or even tricks.  That is OK with me.  There are plenty of offerings that do not require carpentry or searches in flea markets.  Best of all, there are ideas that stimulate, background material that can be used in many ways, and surprising melds of traditional magic props to bizarre themes.

I have some favorites that have come out of this first, most casual, reading.  I closed my show as a boy magician with U. F. Grant's Altar Lites. DeNomolos open his Egyptian Magic with a presentation for this wonderful illusion.  His linking of the coat of mail with the tumbling rings in "Merlin's Mail" is a neat connection.  "Love Story" is simple and powerful. And the idea, in his "Egyptian Bonus," of placing the tail inside the circle for his version of an old math puzzle is stimulating to my mind.

Maybe best of all is the wonderful mix of feelings present.  Horror is there to be sure, but so also is outrageous humor.  And sentimentality abounds. Being true to myself, I will not construct or search for some of DeNomolos' props.  But I realize, quite contrary to my assumption, that I will return to his photographs and am pleased that they have been included. My doubts are gone.  If I do not like what is inside, any book is too expensive.  I like what is inside the DeNomolos books and so consider them to be a bargain."
Robert Neale.

*******

"I haven't had time to study Ed's book, but one thing I did do is go through it at look at all of the pictures. One of my other favorite books is Chelman's book, because of the pictures. Each one inspires me to work hard on the appearance of my props. Ed's book is the same way. The photos are great, and his passion and dedication shines as does his perfectionism. I can now visit Ed any time I want to, by just picking up his books. And each visit will inspire me further."
Bruce Barnett.

*******

"Fifty-dollars went to Ed Solomon, I was SO impressed with his new book on Egyptian Magic, that I forked out ANOTHER Fifty to bring a copy to my best magic-buddy in San Francisco! Again, ORIGINAL, phenomenal, beautiful,and PRACTICAL thinking and routines? Denomolos (Ed's alter ego?) presents wonderful arcane effects, all with an Egyptian theme and many suitable for a Séance--many will work in a Parlor setting as well as Close-up! The thinking is DIABOLICAL--  and the book is loaded with beautiful FULL COLOR photographs of EACH prop and routine, so you can see just how to construct, disguise, or decorate these bizarre artifacts-- OBVIOUSLY Ed had MADE each one and used it in performance, this is not pie-in-the-sky thinking, but usable, wonderful, amazing props surrounded by elegant and pure MAGIC! Many of the presentations are eerie or dark or mysterious, but a few are a surprise--unfortunately I was reading the piece on Page 20 on the airplane trip home, and was almost tossed off the flying plane as I spewed forth almost a whole can of coke, spraying several unsuspecting rows of travelers-- as I broke out in uncontrollable hyena like laughter! Denomolos (and Solomon by extension) are both hilarious and evil!!! By buying these two books--and NO others ever, a performer could have enough brilliant and practical material to last a WHOLE performing career --Not to mention be worshiped as a Pagan God by your audiences-- and benefit from maybe some sixty years of Bizarre Magick experience!"
Walt Anthony.

*******

"Your books are certainly a great addition to my library.  While I haven't finished them yet, I'm enjoying them a great deal.  There is lots of practical material there.  Some of it is too good to give away. Like Charles Pecor, I tell him not to do a couple of Bob Carver's things.  Stuff I've done for years and now everybody will be on the band wagon.  I haven't seen the Grant Altar Lights since Gen did it for a group of us in Columbus.  I consider myself fortunate to have had a lot of time with him (and Bob Nelson)in the fifties and early sixties."
David Dowds.

*******

"I have only had time to only briefly skim your two books and I already love them! Can't wait to find a block of time to read them thoroughly! Thanks for all your hard work on them. I know they were a labor of love!"
Best Witches,
Joe Lantiere.

More reviews to follow.