THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT - The Greatest Svengali Routine in Existence
Author: Mark Lewis
Editor: Lisa Moore, Illustrations: Susan Kern, Foreword: Ariel Frailich
Available from:
Autographed copies from Mark's website -
www.marklewisentertainment.com/html/magicians.html - $25.00 US (Postpaid Worldwide)
Also from
www.ellusionist.com $19.95 plus P&P and
www.nothingupmysleeve.co.uk @ £18.00 (less TM discount!).
What it says on the tin: This book details the best Svengali routine and handling that has ever been published.
Full of anecdotes about the world of the trick card pitchman and a description of a routine that has been under fire for over 30 years. It has amazed and is still amazing thousands and thousands of people at consumer and trade shows. Described therein are new moves and handlings which have never seen print. Here are just a few: The Svengali riffle shuffle, the Svengali Overhand Shuffle, The Fan, The Jackie Cook Spread, The Lambert Spread, The Hand Spread, The Spread and Turnover, the Stuthard Drop and many more. Ideas from famous pitchmen and magicians such as Ali Bongo, Joe Stuthard, Dave Walker, Eric Ward, Ron Macmillan, Lambert the Magician, Johnny Neptune, Jackie Cook and others.
My Review: As the various sites seling this work give full infomation of contents etc I won't repeat the details verbatim here but go check them out for yoursleves for the complete story. Mark is well known to TM members as someone who isn't exactly shy, retiring or slow to advance an opinion! His style is unique, tongue in check (or so we assume!) but above all it is honest and informative. You'll be pleased to know that this is written in exactly the same style and is therefore extremely enjoyable - it's a bit like Dr Who's Tardis where there's a hell of a lot more inside than the slim 38 page booklet would at first suggest. This book is full of information, stories and history of Svengali pitchmen, how each one contributed something to Mark's routine and how it has been structured from many different sources and methods and finally given the Mark Lewis touch. Along the way the various individual moves and methods are taught clearly and without any chance of misunderstanding. Various spreads and displays/flourishes as well as how to rifle shuffle, how to overhand shuffle, and finally how to switch out the 'unique' feature of the deck to leave you clean with a very innocent and ordinary deck of cards which can be used for the rest of your card routine. D/L's in particular are simple and straightforward and can be used to great effect.
Make no mistake, this is not an easy peasy instant method idea. As mentioned on the NUMS site, each phase needs to be tried out, rehearsed and then assembled into the full routine so it will require some work. Very pleasant and enjoyable work but work nevertheless. After that there are several other ideas and routines described so you actually get far, far more than one routine. Treat yourself to a new Svengali deck and work slowly through the various stages and see how soon you too can be performing The Best Svengali Routine in Existence.
Value for money: 9/10 - just choose your favourite supplier!
Difficulty: Between 2 and 3 - experienced card workers might rate it at the lower level.
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)