World's Most Famous Unknown Magician and Ventriloquist-Book

Description

World's Most Famous Unknown Magician and Ventriloquist-Book
The adventures of a road show warrior featuring Bob Carroll. Whether you do school shows or travel around the country performing, this will make you laugh and think about your performances in a new way. Bob has performed for over 40 years doing amusement parks and school shows with his comedy magic and ventriloquist act.
This started out as a lecture for magicians and turned into a journey about Bob's adventures and career. This is a story for all those entertainers who refuse to give up but never get to be famous! There are thousands of acts right now touring the country that are talented and hard working. This is just one story about the unknown career of Bob Carroll.
If you are a clown, ventriloquist, juggler or magician, there are tips to make your school shows more fun! Valuable tips and secrets that you can use to help your shows. Bob also shares several comedy magic routines for magicians who do birthday parties, school shows or family events.
Journey on the tour called "Bob's Not So Excellent Adventure
”
Read about his Guinness Book of World Record Joke Telling event.
What a delightful book. This is the story and teachings of an entertainer that has worked throughout his life as a magician and ventriloquist in almost every conceivable venue. The book is actually two books in one. The first part are anecdotes of his early life making his bones. This part was laugh out loud funny and reminded me of my favorite biography book about Milo and Roger. It made me wonder what other stories Bob Carroll has to tell. The second part of the book, Mr Carroll shares his knowledge of performing in schools and for children. He holds nothing back as he talks about the ins and outs of what it takes to be a school show entertainer. I highly recommend this book as a biography and as a learning tool. My big hope is Bob finds the time and inclination to write another book about his experiences in the trenches.
Steve Wronker- Hypnotist and Magic Entertainer
"This book is gold and a must buy for anyone, not just magicians or performers. Bob has had a wide range of experiences through the years as a performer. This book not only had tears in my eyes but also had me laughing out loud. Plus I learned a ton!
Loved him talking about one of his childhood mentors he learned life lessons from. And couldn't stop laughing about the stories from the road!
"Sadly, I spent 40 years learning what I could have if I had bought this book."
TR
"Great stories, great life, I felt proud and inspired by your story. Great Job. That's a lot of greats for one book!"
Steve Spill, owner and magician of LA's Magicopolis Theater.
"Absolutely the best kid show Hippity Hop rabbit routine I have ever seen"
David Ginn award winning family entertainer and kid show authority.
"Great Straight talk! Bob spent his career working 3-4 shows a day, 5 days a week on school tours. Nightclubs, etc, etc!
Bottom line: He walked the walk- and can talk the talk- he paid his dues with tremendous dedication and has a wealth of knowledge. A Real working pro with a great attitude! I loved every word, every page. I cherish this book!"
Todd Oliver-Ventriloquist-Season Seven finalist on America's Got Talent
"What an interesting life ! It is a very good instructions book for young entertainers who really want to make it."
Ron Urban
"I
bought your book and read it and loved it. Agree with you on it all. Can tell you are a worker!"
John Pizzi-America’s Got Talent Comedy Ventriloquist and Magician
"I just finished reading your book cover to cover and wanted to tell you right away how wonderful I thought it was. Loved the great showbiz stories and also loved the advice that you gave on school shows. Two bits really "sang" to me: The 7 Keys to Baldplate premise for showing how to make good choices and the hippity hop rabbit ending where you get to see the priceless look on the kids face.”
Robert Baxt  Magician and Entertainer
"I really enjoyed reading your experiences and your tips on school shows was a trip down memory lane.
Perhaps I broached on the subject of sucker tricks and how I didn't approve of getting the kids yelling "turn it around" until they got red in the face with such tricks as Hippity Hop Rabbits.  Your treatment of that trick is marvelous.  I had never seen or read such a treatment -- outstanding payoff to the routine.”
"
Anyone wanting to do school assemblies needs to read this book. I wish I would have had this book 50 years ago it would have saved me from making countless mistakes in my school shows back then. "
Al Lampkin Comedy magician, actor
"Bob Carroll, simply put, is a GREAT entertainer. His new book, “THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS UNKNOWN MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST” is as great as his act. Period. This “gem” chronicles the magical journey of a man whose passion for his act is second only to his attention to every detail of his performances. With nothing held back, Mr. Carroll’s storytelling is humorous, poignant, sometimes heartbreaking, and blatantly honest. It’s a tale well worth the telling.
In these well written pages you will meet a “grass roots” performer that anyone can identify with. The reader will also learn some of Bob’s invaluable tips on school show performances, marketing strategies, and audience management. As if this isn’t enough, the author shares some of his favorite routines and thoroughly explains how the reader can successfully create their own routines.
“THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS UNKNOWN MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST” succeeds on every level. Bob Carroll’s truthfulness is a credit to a man who knows his stuff and is more than happy to share it with the rest of us. Impossible to put down, there’s something within the pages of this book for every performer. I’m delighted to add this volume to my Magic Library. My review: Five Stars."
Damian the Magician
Pennsylvania’s Foremost Magical Entertainer
I loved your book and am awed by the quality of your insights into performing for the public and, in particular, young audiences.  Your understanding that magic (e.g: paid performances)  is about entertainment  is obvious, really well-thought out, and beautifully articulated.  Your advice to performing magicians is just awesome across the board and hope you will consider lecturing to magicians in the future... I believe that you could help many to improve their performances -- not because of the particular tricks you might teach, but because of your understanding of how to improve one's presentations.
And your routine with the Hippity Hop Rabbits is just outstanding on several levels.  This is one of the most charming magic routines I have ever read and hope to see you perform it.  As an exercise in audience interaction,  it is perfect,  and it makes the child the hero to boot.  What more could you ask for ?
I also particularly enjoyed reading about your extensive background and imagine that there were many more experiences that you could have included.  I suspect that your descriptions of performing challenges and weird situations will especially resonate with magicians who have performed tons of shows over many years.
Gene Gordon, Al Lampkin, David Kay, Bill Goldman, and Eugene Burger all wrote about their  experiences performing in the real world and this --  I am guessing -- molded their understanding of what works, what to avoid,  and how to connect with an audience.  Personally, I got a lot out of their books because their suggestions came from an incredible amount of real world performing.  I would put the material in your book in the same league and cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it. "
Michael Wald, Ed.D.
Magician and comedy entertainer
"Just read Bob Carroll’s great book on school shows and his wonderful “Road Show” warrior stories. Valuable advice and tips for those seriously going into that market. He is truly worthy of the title “ World’s Most Famous Unknown Magician and Ventriloquist". Recommended."
George Schindler
FUNNY! + INSPIRING!
The story about the van trip from Hades is worth the price of admission.
Plus, LOTS of great tips for performers who want to get better and get booked!
Adam Christing  Corporate Comedian and Magic Entertainer
"I picked up Bob Carroll's new book "THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS UNKNOWN MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST" and I have to say -
I COULDN'T PUT THE DANG THING DOWN!!! Each page is FILLED with great stuff! For - it is a STEAL! Funny,and VERY interesting - this man has lived an awesome life/career. I can only imagine what is NEXT in his life!
Simply put - BUY A COPY - but I say this with a warning... When it arrives, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME ON YOUR HANDS when you open the envelope....
...........you.......won't.........be........able......to.........put..........it..........down..........once..........you..........start...........reading.......it...........(I SOOOOoooOOOooOOooo have to go to the bathroom.....)"
Steve Daly
Las Vegas Hypnotist/Entertainer
"thanks to you for sharing your memoirs,all of them priceless!"
RM
"What a fantastic book about the career of Bob Carroll. I absolutely loved the book! Buy a copy and laugh and learn! It is like a time capsule of memories for me. Bob and I performed together at Gaslight Village for many years. It was fun reading about Bob's career and his hilarious adventures on the road!"
Uncle Floyd Vivino TV and radio personality.
"Reading your book was a joy and a delight.
I've bought a lot of magic tricks from you over the years but nothing is quite as magical as reading your stories.
It's the part of being 'IN MAGIC' that always will mean the most to me...the stories not the stuff!!
You may be unknown but you're certainly not unloved.
Good luck, best wishes, and keep smiling!!"
JB
“If you are a performer, you need to buy this book!”
David Garrity -Six Flags Entertainer and Illusionist
" I found your book entertaining, informative, and educational.
I enjoyed the great stories, anyone who does a lot of bookings and think they have seen everything, read this book.
You will read it more than once, I loved it. "
Eddie Gardner
"If you haven`t gotten Bob Carroll`s new book, you don`t know what you are missing.
Very funny stories, great tips and a good read. I didn't put it down until I finished it.
Get one before they are all gone. You will not be sorry. “
LM
'This is a book that every "unknown" performer can appreciate. Often times, traditional "nine-to-fivers" in the workforce will tell us entertainers that traveling from gig to gig to make people laugh seems like a "dream job." And for most of us who do it (as Bob did for decades) it is - most of the time. However, Bob shows us (hysterically I might add) that show biz has its ups and downs just like any other career choice - regardless of the fame attained in the process.
As an entertainer myself, I could almost channel Bob's experiences in the book as my own because they are so very common at our level of fame (or lack thereof). At times you'll find yourself laughing out loud as Bob shares his "road stories" and how he dealt with those aforementioned the ups and downs along the way (always with a positive outlook regardless). When you're done reading, you'll come away from this book with a great appreciation for Bob Carroll's talent and his love of show biz.
I assume, of course, that all of the stories in the book happened just exactly as Bob says. However, rumor has it that one of his former dummies (whom he had a messy falling-out with) is working on a "tell-all" book about Bob's career from his own point of view.
Now THAT should be very interesting reading! "
Steve Van Zandt
Comedy Impressionist
"This book was great. It's actually an Oreo Cookie of a book, and as much fun. The opening and closing chapters are colorful "stories of the road", from a performer who's been a magician, ventriloquist, clown, DJ, strip show m.c., close up performer, Vegas act, resort act, and amusement park act. The stories are as wild and wacky as the business of show business. The middle of the book is all about school shows, kids audiences, and how to navigate and survive them. If you're a variety performer, you'll like the outer ends best. If you are, or ever want to be a school show performer, you'll NEED the middle part most. Let me repeat - NEED! There is more good performing advice and more good tips for doing school shows there than I've ever seen in one place, at one time, ever! You'll get thousands of dollars worth of advice from a seasoned performer who's done it all, and isn't stingy about sharing his experiences. I, for one, am glad I got it!.
This is REALLY an IMPORTANT BOOK for anyone doing school shows or kid shows in general...it gives tips that it would take you years to realize on your own! Buy it!
”  Tommy Moore-Comedian
"As a fellow entertainer I can relate to these stories and I was more than entertained by this book. I was nearly thrown out of a doctors waiting room as I was reading and got laughing really loud and I had to go outside for a minute to calm down. It is a very, very funny book. These are real life situations that would make a great movie! I haven't seen a movie in years that was half as funny as the tales he tells here.”  Jack Shea
"A compilation of great stories and great advice to anyone interested in performing or just learning about it. I've read many books about the entertainment industry but never anything like this! A compelling book that not only gives you a view into the hilarious experiences of one man but also provides some insight into just how complicated and down right difficult it must be to do this for a living.”
J LaRouche
"Having seen Bob perform many years ago at Gaslight Village in Upstate New York, I had to buy the book. After starting to read it, the only reason I put it down was to wipe the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard. Fun and entertaining read from a fun and entertaining entertainer!" CS
"I recently purchased this book by magician/ventriloquist Bob Carroll and it was one of those books you start reading and you can't put it down until you have reached the end of the last page.”
"Bob Carroll has lived the life that others only dream of: making a full time living as a performer his whole life. He tells incredible stories of a life in show business as well as giving invaluable advice on how to be a better entertainer. Highly recommended. It's a great read that will put a smile on your face. I only truly wish he had written more.
”
"Bob Carroll is the last of the great Vaudeville Acts. He has seen it all, done it all and continues to deliver the most laughs per minute allowed by law. I have had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Carroll perform multiple times and can attest to the fact that everything he writes in this book he is the authority. It's made for everyone: if you are interested in performing, he offers real world advice; if you are interested in true humor from the road of entertainment, it's all here. "The World's Most Famous Unknown Magician and Ventriloquist" comes with my highest recommendation.”
Jonas Cain
"I recently purchased this book by magician/ventriloquist Bob Carroll and it was one of those books you start reading and you can't put it down until you have reached the end of the last page.
Part of Bob's book had to do with putting on school assembly programs. As a retired teacher I could relate to the things Bob had to say about doing school assembly programs. There were times when I found myself saying, "Yes, he's right on with what he is saying..." and other times I couldn't help but laughing right out loud over some of the things he wrote about.
Bob's book should appeal to anyone who is thinking about entering this arena of the entertainment business. It's educational but in a way that also has lots of humor. It's not at all a dry list of do's and don'ts. It gives practical advice but at the same way it entertains the reader. A good combination, I think!
I think elementary school teachers will also enjoy and identify with this part of his book.
The first part of his book has to do with his traveling around and doing adult type shows and that part of his book is going to make you laugh rather you want to or not! It's just plain funny and very entertaining even if you've never experienced this side of life or if you don't wish to be an entertainer living out of a suitcase.
Reading Bob's book kind of made me wish I could have been there to see some of the shows that he talks about.”
Frank Corbin
"I've been able to not only see Bob perform but share the stage with him before he moved from CT to CA. This book is filled with stories, advice jokes and unbelievable events that had me turning the page to see the next incredible situation or place Bob was performing in. What I loved most though was knowing that Bob used all those experiences and "flight" time in front of audiences to create an amazing repertoire of working material. Bob always had the audience laughing and amazed. Thanks so much to Bob for sharing his life in these pages.”
Adam Parisi -Magical Entertainer
Reviewed  on February 22, 2020
There are many amateur magicians, and ventriloquists, whose ultimate dream is to become a professional entertainer. Bob Carroll, magician and ventriloquist, was one of those dreamers. It wasn’t easy; life was an endless struggle of frustrations and challenges. The path he was destined to walk was as uneven as a cobblestone road. The narrow-winding thoroughfare had more downhill than uphill, and more curves than San Francisco’s Lombard Street.
The entertainment world is tough to break in to, but one must start somewhere. Bob vividly details his first-hand experiences and the trials and tribulations he faced. A young and unknown professional, it was an uphill struggle; one that he fiercely tackled head-on. Intent on building a network of contacts for an opportunity to showcase his creativity and expertise in two different family-oriented entertainment fields, he knocked on doors every chance he got. Sometimes, luck befriended him.
Why is it that a majority fail, but a handful succeed? One word: Determination. Success comes in cans, not cant’s. It also helps to believe in oneself. A drive to succeed, Bob was determined that when the going got tough, nothing would hold him down. One of the key things to remember when pursuing a career in show business is to learn to be patient. Success won’t happen overnight; indeed, it could take years to achieve. Bob drives home these points in lucid detail. But don’t panic; there are also tips you can learn to help get your foot in the door. Bob’s experience will provide you with a wealth of ideas.
Learning how to get into the entertainment industry is a challenge and can be overwhelming. After all, if it were easy, everyone would do it. Bear in mind, that people take on the challenge every day. Bob’s book, “The World’s Most Famous Unknown Magician and Ventriloquist,” is a veritable treasure-trove of information that every magician and ventriloquist should have in their personal reference library. It’s written casually, but comes from a place of raw experience.
Alfred M. Albers Author
This book is gold and a must buy for anyone, not just magicians or performers. Bob has had a wide range of experiences through the years as a performer. This book not only had tears in my eyes but also had me laughing out loud. Plus I learned a ton!
Loved him talking about one of his childhood mentors he learned life lessons from. And couldn't stop laughing about the stories from the road!
This is definitely one of those books you will be talking about with your friends and family. Multiple times while hanging out with people close to me I kept finding myself bringing up the book and sharing stuff from it. A lot of "So I'm reading this book and.." moments.
Do yourself a favor, get off social media and spend time reading this book instead. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did!   Erin Kabbash
Five stars! A humorous true lesson of life written with wisdom , passion and a great heart! Magicians and performing artists in general will benefit to learn the ups and downs of the profession plus the tricks of the trade Bob Carroll will teach with talent and creativity. Five stars!
Daniel Azulay
Bob Carroll is a funny man and it is on display in this book, which is a fascinating read for anyone interested in life on the road for performers. The book is broken into two parts, basically History and Tips. The meat of the book is in the form of Bob's recollections. He details his beginnings in showbusiness, his early years honing his skills, and his time on the road with a travelling troupe of variety performers. One story in particular is worth the price of the book, as it's basically a road-trip movie condensed into several hilarious pages.
The book's second section is a collection of tips and advice for anyone looking to break into some of the show-biz niches that are still actively seeking varitey acts, namely schools. Bob's advice is clear and helpful, what you would expect from a man with as much experience as he's had. Almost every paragraph has a bit of advice about something you wouldn't think could go wrong but will eventually, and this is gold to anyone working these gigs in the real world.
Great advice, great stories, great book!  PJ
Funny, touching and insightful. You'll laugh a lot at the stories and situationsBob has had throughout his career. Each page will be entertaining. Most of all, you will learn some very important lessons from a true professional. Buy the book for enjoyment and learn a little something along the way. This book is a must for safety show performers or for that matter, ANY performer who works with kids.  Bruce Kalver
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