Laflin, Duane: Greater Gospel Magic ©2000 Duane Laflin, Winters Publishing, IN Hardcover, w/dj, 318 pages ISBN: 978-1883651138

Image courtesy eBay seller jbharrison76

Comments: This hardcover book compiles some of Duane's past effects, Gospel Magic History, and lots of great advice into a comprehensive volume of Gospel magic.

Contents (from book ToC):

9 Introduction
9 Foreward
13 What is Gospel Magic?
17 A Brief History of Gospel Magic
35 A Brief History of the Author's Involvement With Gospel Magic

47 Section One - Essays Relating to the Nature and Performance of Gospel Magic
47 About the Essays
49 Do It Well
53 Keeping Secrets
59 I Don't Do Magic
61 A Good Gospel Magic Effect
63 Spiritual Dangers to the Gospel Magic - Part 1
67 Spiritual Dangers to the Gospel Magic - Part 2
71 Spiritual Dangers to the Gospel Magic - Part 3
75 Spectator Abuse
81 Trivializing the Gospel
87 Your Love Life
91 The Line
93 Why Gospel Magic?
95 How Much Do I Charge?
101 Response to Published Criticism of Gospel Magic
107 Gospel Magicians and Secular Magic Conventions
111 Legitimate Deceptionists
115 How Can I Get More Shows?
121 Magic Tricks Are a Powerful Tool

127 Section Two: Routines
127 About the Routines
128 Top Ten List of Gospel Magic Routines
129 Routine #1 20th Century Silks/Death, Burial and Resurrection
133 Routine #2 Thumbtip With Scarves to Illustrate Illusion
137 Routine #3 Cut and Restored Rope Lesson on Salvation
139 Routine #4 Blooming Bouquet to Illustrate Love
141 Routine #5 Head Chopper - Perfection or Else!
145 Routine #6 Who Can God Use the Most - Professor's Nightmare
147 Routine #7 Stat-O-Spheres to Illustrate Proper Priorities
149 Routine #8 Sword Cabinet to Illustrate Serving God
151 Routine #9 Square Circle Production/What You Have Without Jesus
153 Routine #10 Coffee Vase and the Wages of Sin and Gift of God

157 Section Three Four Kinds of Gospel Magicians
157 The Major Types of Gospel Magic Ministry

167 Section Four Developing Your Show
167 Discovering Your Stage Personality
173 How Do You Learn or Identify Your Best Stage Personality?
170 Understanding the Basic Emotion of an Audience
188 Sample Programs

193 Section Five - Do's and Don'ts for Gospel Magicians
193 Introduction to the Do's and Don'ts
194 Do Respect Opinions About Music
194 Don't Mistreat Animals
195 Do Be Physically Clean
195 Don't Comment on Lights In Your Eyes or Apologize About the Settings
196 Don't Touch Stuff That Belongs to Other Performers
196 Don't Fail to Explain Magic
197 Do Check You Sound Ahead of Time and Analyze Angles
197 Do Not Buy a Tick Today and Perform It Tomorrow
198 Do Keep the Secrets of Magic
198 Don't Leave Props Where People Can Get At Them
199 Do Treat Audience Volunteers With Respect
199 Don't Use Regular Playing Cards In Church
200 Do Feel Free To Use Playing Cards in Outreach Programs
200 Don't Do the 20th Century Bra or Shorts Trick in Church
201 Do Prepare and Strengthen Your Heart
201 Don't Start a Show With "I Need a Volunteer"
202 Don't Be Sloppy About Props Or Your Stage Setting
202 Don't Talk Too Much in Proportion To A Performance
203 Do Get Good Pictures and Video Whenever Possible
204 Do Be Careful When Using Pictures of Jesus
204 Do Be Careful to Never Disrespect a Pastor
205 Do Learn to Point
206 Don't Say "I Have Here An Empty Box"
207 Do Maintain Eye Contact With the Audience
208 Don't Speak of the "Magic of the Gospel" or of "God's Love"
209 Don't Have a Spectator on Stage With Nothing to Do
210 Do Learn Some Tricks That Require Technical Skill
211 Do Quote Scripture Accurately
211 Don't Kid Yourself About "Obvious Steals"
212 Do Scope Out the Audience Before the Show to Find Volunteers
212 Don't Choose Someone To Help Just Because That Person Has Been Recommended By An Event Organizer
213 Do Smile
213 Don't Be Impressed By How Much Time You Get Out Of A Trick
214 Do Keep Things Simple, Avoid Complexity of Procedure
215 Do Use Applause Cues, Don't Overdo Them
215 Do Remember The Difference Between Well Done And It Will Do
216 Do Be Personal
216 Do Remember The Power Of Surprise
217 Don't Attempt Manipulative Moves Beyond Your Ability
217 Don't Allow The Cost Of A Trick To Establish Its Place In The Show
218 Do Develop Your Speaking Ability!
218 Do Have Written Agreements
219 Do Consider A Color Theme For Your Show
220 Don't Use Trendy Colors When Choosing A Color Theme
220 Do Have A Script
221 Do Remember The Importance Of Little Things
221 Do Develop An Act!
222 Do Be Enthusiastic!
222 Do Listen To Criticism
223 Do Remember There Is Nothing Wrong With A Simple Trick
224 Don't Plug Too Many Cords Into The Same Outlet
224 Don't Get Shook Up By Mistakes
225 Don't Be Afraid Of A Microphone
226 Don't Use Guns!
226 Don't Use Too Many Similar Effects In One Program
227 Do Try To Be Original
227 Don't Make A Joke About Spiritual Things
228 Don't Do The "Miser's Dream" Before The Offering
228 Don't Forget That Short Is Better Than Long
229 Do Stay In Character
229 Don't Let The Church Buy Your Magic!
230 Do Watch For Smoke Detectors And Heat Sensors
230 Do Keep Good Records
231 Don't Leave Power Cords Coiled When In Use
231 Do Keep Things In Bags And Crates
232 Do Carry A Tool Box With Spare Parts
232 Don't Expect Perfection
233 Do Read Books About Magic And Magicians
234 Do Have Good Doctrine
234 Don't Be A Star, Do Be A Servant!
235 Do Routine Your Program
235 Don't Act Smart or Superior
236 Do Remember That Effect Is More Important Than Method
236 Don't Knock Other Performers
237 Do Prepare For Mistakes
237 Do Have The First Thing You Will Say Clearly In Mind
238 Do Think Carefully About How To Walk On Stage
238 Do Strive For Economy Of Motion
239 Do Remember That Personal Life Is More Important Than Performance Skills
240 Don't Use Slang Terms
240 Don't Oversell Yourself
240 Do Respect Church Property
241 Do Treat Assistants With Respect
241 Do Respect Time

245 Section Six - More Ideas
245 Dish-One-Sty or Dishonesty
249 Droodles With a Cross Ending
253 Cutting to the Heart of the Matter
247 The Blind Man's Cane
259 Teaching Great Doctrine With a Change Bag
261 He Came Unto His Own - Vanishing Candles
263 A Foxy Idea With a Silk and a Giant Sponge Ball
267 The Middle Wall of the Partition Has Been Removed
271 Reverse 20th Century Silks
273 The Man Who Tried to Be Nothing
275 Only Jesus Opens Heaven's Door
279 The Story of the Wordless Book by Gospel Magic
285 Don't Be a Spiritual Stinker!
287 What Are You Looking For?
291 Gospel Lesson for the Nest of Boxes Effect
295 Patriotic Ropes and a Lesson On Marriage
297 Who Is the Best Christian?
301 How Do I Use the Crazy Traffic Signal Trick?
303 Peter And the Power of Prayer
307 Gospel Lesson For the Soft Soap Trick
311 The Lesson of the Prayer Closet
313 The Christian Toy Box
315 Gospel A-B-C Blocks