What:
Encyclopaedia of Impromptu Card Forces by Lewis Jones
Where from :
http://www.hutch.demon.co.uk/lewis/ency ... forces.htm
How Much:
£35 (delivery free to the UK)
The Review:
Just received my Encyclopaedia of Impromptu Card forces by Lewis Jones, and it’s, in one word, Frightfully good !!
Over 500 forces, impromptu card forces that is and with no gimmicks at all.
You need a force, then what would you like? A blind force, a combination force or a count force? Equivocation forces, multiple forces, a spelling force? Well they’re all in here and more.
There is, as Lewis writes, no need for “…pre-arranged decks. No defacing or marking of cards. No nail-nicks. No writing on cards. Not even a crimp or a bridge.”
The forces are categorised and described in alphabetical order, and the descriptions are concise, but very well written and clear. Only where the force would benefit from a photograph to support the text is one provided.
I know, I know, why would you need a reference work of over 500 forces that can be done with a borrowed deck? Well why not? Anneman’s book 202 forces is good, excellent in fact, but it has many, many card forces that need gimmicks. This book eradicates this need and documents many of the forces for the first time.
This is a reference book not a course. It’s definitely not a cover to cover read but it is a fantastic resource, full of little gems of genius. You want something new then look in here.
Would I buy it? I already have. Would I recommend it, you betcha!!
I leave you in the words of the author Lewis Jones:
“They need only a deck of cards and a spectator. I hope he enjoys them, even when he is unaware of them.”
