George Patton is a professional stock market technical analyst, founder of Patton Capital Management, and a registered investment advisor currently living in Orlando Florida.
He’s also the author of Black Jack, a book about his great uncle Herman who was a famous magician. However, Patton's main character is his aunt Eva, who was only 17 when she met Herman and became his assistant. A small time ingénue who fell in love with Herman (already famous when they met), Eva was propelled into superstardom along with her man as they became part of the Harlem Renaissance.
Besides a focus on the world of magic, the book also addresses the Jim Crow laws of segregation during that time period. Written from Eva’s point-of-view as a survivor, the book starts with her and ends with her. Black Herman died mysteriously onstage in 1934 while Eva continued to rise with resplendence as she had been conditioned to mentor the following generations of her family. She passed away this year at age 111.
Q: So, George, do you believe in magic?
A: I believe there is more in this world than meets the eye. As for the mental manipulation of matter, I think that is possible also. That there are unseen powers that can be beseeched to do your bidding, definitely, but there is always a price.
Q: What inspired you to tackle a project that involves heavy research about history?
A: Love of history. Love of family. Learning about my family history was fascinating especially since no one had spoken Black Herman’s name in my household in forty years, believe it or not. When you research your family history, you learn about yourself. The choices they made prepare the fertile field for your development. Also, my heart leapt when I saw my great aunt’s name in a history book.
Q: How long did it take you to write the book?
A: The better part of a year. But I was seemingly aided by inspiration from beyond. Suppositions I made early on were revealed to be chillingly accurate. Once more, facts were uncovered. I say that this fictionalized version is closer to fact than even I imagine.
Q: Do you think that Black Herman based his work on African techniques that became Hoodoo in America?
A: Yes, in the beginning of his career and back then his audience was mostly semi-literate Southern blacks who were heavily steeped in these traditions passed down from slave times. Herman provided shows based on African Hoodoo to entertain and empower just as his talk of hailing from Zulu tribes—the fiercest warriors in existence--were meant to empower and embolden.
Q: Do you know of any black magicians working today?
A: Yes. I have corresponded with some during the marketing of my novel and some of them have been very supportive. Among these are William Puckering “The Magic of Puck” at www.puckmagic.com, and the “Dean of Black Magicians” Donald Camp who thanks Black Herman for giving him ‘mystery’. Also, there’s Teddy Lee of White Plains New York, the “Mortician Magician”.
Q: How do you feel about Las Vegas magicians? Are they helping to keep the world of magic from fading? Where are the Johnny Carsons of today?
A: Syndicated TV continues to air specials featuring magicians and they’re unmasking them. But no matter how many tricks are debunked, the public still wants more. Magicians and others in touch with the occult will always prosper during tough economic times. Black Herman’s business was largely unaffected by the Wall Street crash of 1929. He was quoted as saying that the day after the crash shouldn’t have been called “Black Tuesday” but “White Tuesday” because “our people” didn’t have stocks or bonds to worry about losing. In fact, initially, Herman and Eva were busier than ever because people needed an entertaining distraction and the comfort a great magician could provide.
Q: Do you know any magic tricks?
A: No. I prefer to be the audience; to sit back in amazement, tantalized by clever conundrums.
Q: Any last words?
A: Yes. A professor from Chapel Hill in North Carolina has recently written a novel about a fictional Negro magician. It turns out this man was neither a Negro nor a magician. He was just a white guy who makes a deal with the devil. This characterization besmirches my family’s honor and my great uncle’s memory. I think it’s heinous.
Abracadabra!
Look at that, Gifted Readers. By George, it’s George’s book!
Leaving you with good luck, light and love;
Gypsy Stars
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