Bacon, Reginald W. The Juggler's Manual of Manipulative Miscellanea. Variety Arts Press, Newburyport, Mass.  1984. LC number 84-50557. $10.

 

In his introduction, the author cites some very good reasons to buy this instructional manual. He states, "The appeal of juggling with everyday objects is universal. Perhaps more significant, a manipulative interlude with just one or two props affords an unhurried showcase of the performer's stage personality and character."

 

Another good reason to buy the book is that the author has done the best job yet of combining basic juggling instruction with entertaining descriptions of how great performers have employed these skills.

 

His review of the use of miscellaneous objects by great jugglers like Kara, Cinquavelli and Severus Shaffer is a good lesson in entertainment during this age when most jugglers limit themselves to balls, clubs and rings. Bacon has learned  the lesson personally, during a decade of performance with his wife and partner,

LJ. Newton.

 

He uses all the objects included in the book in his act, and does a good job of explaining their manipulation to the uninitiated. He wastes no time or space in describing basic moves, and gives good ideas for advanced tricks and routining.

 

In 104 pages formatted as a 5 1/2"  x 8 1/2" paper-bound handbook, Bacon describes the basic moves with top hats, canes, plates, nesting cups, trays and teacups and spoons, and spinning. The instruction is well illustrated and easy to understand. He makes of no guarantees about how easy the moves are to learn, however!

 

He begins with several pages on the history of odd-object manipulation and he sprinkles more vignettes liberally  throughout the book. In the chapter on "Mixed Object Juggling," Bacon lists ten great balancing and mixed object stunts  which are truly remarkable. His recounting of these and many other acts demonstrates a thorough knowledge of juggling's history. The bibliography he cites gives jugglers good leads for further reading.

 

In short, it's a good book to have on your shelf even if you never intend to nest a cup or spin a cane.

 

Turner and Turner, Alternative Sports and Games For the New Physical Education. Peek Publications, Palo Alto, Cal. 1984 $9.95.

 

Juggling is found between "hocker" and "pickle ball" in this enlightening compendium of new games. The book covers cascade juggling and several dozen other interesting and non-combative games and group activities. It's a good physical education textbook for today's youth.

 

The authors, Bud and Sue Turner, share in this book some nontraditional and exciting school physical education activities. The Turners take credit for developing some of the material presented (penguin soccer? challenge ball?) while other sections such as those on juggling, unicycling and gymnastics, represent currently popular skills.

 

Jugglers will appreciate that much of the material is easily learned and adaptable to performance situations. However, the juggling section is only introductory three ball lessons. Curiously, a photo of three jogglers appears not with juggling, but later under hints on building a schoolyard circus troupe.