by TheOldForum » Jun 24th, '02, 00:03
Book Review: Expert Card Technique: Close-Up Table Magic
Authors: Jeam Hugard and Frederick Braue
Published: © Dover Publication, New York; 1974 (org. 1944)
Format: Paperback,448 pages, 318 illustrations
Availability: Most bookstores including Amazon
Price: $10.95US
Difficulty Level (1-5): 4 overall (some easy to master moves, however)
I have to begin this review by stating I generally do not like books on sleights or manipulation techniques. My learning style is more suited to video, or even better one-on-one instruction from a mentor magician. That said I cannot begin to express my joy with “Expert Card Technique.” While somewhat dated, the material presented is still very much in use toady by any respectable card mechanic. The topics (lifts, palms, false shuffles, etc) are given excellent treatment by the authors and descriptions of moves are clear and easy to understand. Back this up with good illustrations and this book becomes a “must have” reference for beginner through intermediate card magicians. To further enhance the already great value of the book, the authors have also included a load of great card tricks (using your newly developed skills, of course) as well as chapters on presentation of your routine and misdirection of the audience. For the absolute beginner, a thoughtfully placed glossary of the conjurer’s lexicon explains some technical terms (i.e., break, job, crimp, bridge, etc.) used throughout the book – as well as the trade.
My only true gripe with this work is the conspicuous absence of an index which make cross-referencing difficult. I do understand, however, that the nature of magic books is generally not conducive to the inclusion of such. This is but a minor annoyance and is easily compensated by the depth of the work.
The book is broken down into six parts: (1) Sleights, (2) Flourishes, (3) Technique, (4) Tricks, (5) Miscellaneous, and (6) Misdirection and Presentation.
Part one, Sleights, presents chapters covering:
• Lifts
• False Deals
• Side Slips
• The Pass
• Palming
• False Shuffles
• False Cuts
• Changes
• Crimps
• The Spectator Peek
• The Glimpse
• The Jog
• The Reverse
• Sundry Sleights
• The Rear Palm
• Fargo Shuffle
Part two, Flourishes, contains information on:
• Color changes
• Fans
• Springing
Part three, Technique, gives treatment on how to correctly use and incorporate moves learned in other chapters such as:
• Covering a palm
• Secret counts
• Forces
• Pre-arranged decks
Part four, Tricks with Cards, includes:
• Rising Cards
• Birds of a Feather
• One-Handed Card Magic
• Ambitious Card (very well presented)
• The Stranger Card
• Spelling
• Using Double-Faced Cards
Part five, Miscellany, contains additional information/helpful hints on developing skill with the moves and also nice little “trade secrets” (such as using a matchbook as a card display stand).
Part six, Misdirection and Presentation, while short, contains great “nuggets” of information useful in developing your own routines. Topics include:
• Using Humor
• Patter
• Your Routine
• The First Trick
• Sleight of hand vs. Self-working tricks (thought this is short – two pages – this section is very insightful and valuable to beginning magicians!)
Overall I’d give this book a solid 5 (scale 1-5) and highly recommend it as a reference to any serious card practitioner. The price makes it a great buy and you can probably scrape up the money to purchase it from lost change in the couch cushions!
Last edited by
TheOldForum on Jan 1st, '70, 01:00, edited 1 time in total.