Many stories abound about Tom Palmer, a.k.a.Tony Andruzzi & Masklyn ye Mage, many of which he himself told but there are also many that others told about him (especially his long time good friend Charles W. Cameron). After a lot of work on the part of Jim Magus with Terry Nosek and Neil Tobin, a book about Tom Palmer and his alter ego's was finally published in March 2011 (not Halloween 2010 as originally planned).

Unspeakable Acts by Jim Magus

 Get to know Tom Palmer a.k.a. Tony Andruzzi & Masklyn Ye Mage through his own words and through those that knew him by reading this comprehensive book written by Jim Magus with Terry Nosek and Neil Tobin. And discover an unforgettable life brimming with hilarious, touching, and outrageous stories -- made all the more amazing by the fact that some of them are actually true.

Tom Palmer was no ordinary magician; he wasn't even three ordinary magicians. After making his reputation as an award-winning comedy-Magic performer, he ditched it all to become pioneer a of bizarre Magick.

As Tony Andruzzi, he then wrote and performed under yet a third persona, Masklyn ye Mage. Under one or more of these guises he built pieces for major illusionists, published his own influential Magic periodical, headed a witch coven, ran a Magic shop, created highly collectible handmade books, hosted an infamous alcohol-fueled annual convention, testified to the Warren Commission on the Kennedy assassination, married four times, and has continued to impact the world of Magic 20 years after his death.

REVIEW by Bruce Barnett.

For the last few days, Tony Andruzzi visited me. He told me stories,and oh - what stories they were. I laughed. I was shocked, and amazed.

Well, not personally. I just finished reading Jim Magus's book Unspeakable Acts. It is an amazing condensation of the adventures in a gentleman who lived the lives of three people. It's like getting three biographies for the price of one! And each one is fascinating. I never knew that much about Tom Palmer, and I didn't think it would interest me, I just couldn't put the book down. Palmer was literally a "Master of Illusions," as he could make illusions work despite the errors in the inventor's design.  And the more I read, as Tom turned into Tony, and  then into Masklyn, the more my jaw dropped.

Some of the stories are just unbelievable. The number of celebrities Tony interacted with include Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan, Lady Sybil, Isaac Bonewits, Jayne Mansfield, .Jack Ruby, Elvis, Pat Boone, and Sammy Davis Jr, and the unforgettable Fred Schmidlap. I loved some of his impromptu stunts that became the stuff of legends. The legends of Tony being a weather wizard, the story behind the Balls of Brass award. There is a reason Tony is legendary; these are the stories people will treasure forever.

It's the type of book that those in the know will make a reference to a Tony story, and both will laugh. Like the importance of having an Altar when picking up women. (LOL). Or C.O.O.K.I.E.S. Or Kardor calling in to the Invocational.

One thing I really enjoyed was a re-telling of the Invocationals, and what happened on stage and behind the scenes. These were once-in-a-lifetime events, and this book is the next best thing to being there.

The other thing this book did was inspire me. Just hearing how Tony operated, and the impact he had, just made me more determined to improve my art.

There were very dark times too. I saw the real story behind Tony, and his many tragic flaws. He was legendary, but no hero. Still, what did come across was his constant struggle to improve his performance art. We learn of his successes and failures. And his fabulous humor.

My "biggest" complain is very minor. I wish Jim included something to make it easier to find the proper endnote, as I had to find the right chapter to find the right endnote, and Ihad trouble doing this.  Footnotes would have been much easier.

But I only said that because I think every good review has to include some negative points. Minor, I know.

Let me summarize this review this way - this book describes the most important events in Birth of Bizarre Magic, and it should inspire you, shock you, and amuse you. I can think of nothing else that provides so much background into the history of Bizarre Magic. And let's not forget Tom Palmer's impact on illusions and magic.

Thank you, Jim, for bringing this book to life, and for setting the record straight.

END.

This book ( 534 pages with illustrations) is a must have and you can purchase it directly by clicking HERE.

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