by tomterm8 » Aug 19th, '09, 10:15
The Effect
A beginner’s book of magic, with sections giving you advice on how to perform, presentation, and a very basic review of the history of magic. It also contains some good information on becoming a professional, which is oddly out of place in a beginner’s book.
The book contains some simple card magic, close up magic, silk, stage, and advice on where to learn more.
Cost
My copy cost £12.99 new, I got it second hand for a couple of quid.
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)
There are a lot of tricks, ranging from 1 to 4, but mostly between 2 and 3.
Review
The book is surprisingly good. It is billed as a beginner’s book, with a range of (on the surface) easy to do magic. However, many of the effects play much better than you would expect given the simple methods used.
It is true that people will have read much of the advice before. However, that doesn't mean that following it won't make you a better magician.
All in all, I think a lot of people will underestimate the material in this book.
Overall (1 worst to 10 best)
I'll give it a 9 for a beginner,
7 for anyone else.