"This is one of the greatest books ever to be in print. The power found in this book is unbelievable. We recommend it to anyone who is serious about performing powerful card magic."
I thought I better start off with that. Truer words have never been said.
What is it?
They say:
Mnemonica is a virtual encyclopedia on the subject of memorized-deck magic, by the world's leading exponent and one of magic's acknowledged masters. It is a book crammed with magic from the working repertoire of Juan Tamariz, magic that leaves everyone, public and magicians, utterly astounded. It is a book capable of changing the reader's entire approach to card magic, and a work that supports Juan Tamariz's reputation as one of the most important and creative thinkers in magic today.
And me...
This is possibly, the greatest book I have ever bought on Card Magic. No wait, not possibly, it really is.
Juan Tamariz is one of my favourite card magicians and after wanting to do some work with a memorized deck, it seemed like the perfect combination.
The book itself is a quality produced hardcover with 432 pages. Add 400 photos and you really can't put a price on it.
There is way too much in the book to be reviewed in full detail, but I shall explain the basic contents.
It starts off with a "Brief History" of the memorized deck, which is very insightful. Just a personal thing, but before committing myself to learning something, a bit of history and how it was discovered is very helpful.
Next is the
most important part. The actual Mnemonica stack. This is Juan Tamariz' own memorized deck stack that has the most ridiculous amount of possibilities.
He gives you the
Ultra-Rapid Memorization System that will allow you to 100% memorize the whole deck in an afternoon, or 2 at the max.
Believe it or not, you won't be memorizing it with Mnemonics. Well you could, but that's not the system he sets out.
It took me about 6 hours to learn the whole thing. I had a day off college and spent the time with some crossiants, a deck of cards and mango juice.
I won't tip exactly how the system is learnt, but you will need some way to record your own voice and listen back...and lots of coloured markers!
Here's something else incredible about the book: What I've described so far...only takes up the first 30 pages.
The next 402 are all effects using this particular stack, and stacks in general.
There is everything, ACCANs, Thought of Card to pocket, Name any hand poker routines...everything.
It really is an amazing piece of work.
Cost:
Best I found it for was
£39.99
http://www.emagictricks.co.uk/Mnemonica_by_Juan_Tamariz.html
I genuinely would pay 5 times that, if I had to.
Difficulty
(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)
4/5
Faro shuffles, Anti-Faros, Passes, Glimpses, Advance Controls and culls are all required if you want to make the absolute most of it.
You can get the deck into stack from a new deck but you'll have to be able to easily do continuous perfect Faros.
However, the actual stack learning is
DEFINITELY ONLY A 2
The effects are mostly pretty hard going, but not all.
The any hand called for poker deal is pretty much self working.
Overall:
Is it impossible to give a 10? If so, it's a 9.99.
Pros:
Anybody can learn it, extremely quickly.
It has dozens of unique effects as well as all of the normal memorized deck feats
It can be prepared from a new deck quickly.
It's a brilliant price for that many effects.
You'll learn the Super finish. The deck in new deck order after a long routine.
A whole routine can be worked on, easily with this stack.
Cons
Your card magic will never be the same again.
"I want to do magic...but I don't want to be referred to as a magician." - A layman chatting to me about magic.