Why I think Stars of Magic is better than Erdanase!
Posted: Jul 24th, '20, 20:14Before I alienate half of the good folks on this forum, let me clarify a couple of things:
The material in S.W Erdnase’s ‘Expert at The Card Table’ is possibly the most important and influential card magic ever published.
But (and boy, I hope i don’t sound too crazy when I say this)…
…it’s not the most riveting read. If you aren’t passionate about this stuff, you could be forgiven for finding some of the material a little stuffy or ‘dry.’
I know, I know—it’s all OUR fault.
Our minuscule modern-day attention spans and chronic need for entertainment has ruined our ability to enjoy Erdnase for hours on end like the masters of old did.
But for all you juiced up dopamine-junkies, there’s a spot of hope:
Not all ‘classic’ magic books have to be hard to digest.
Stars of Magic is a prime example of this.
Every chapter features showstoppers from ‘rock stars’ of magic like John Scarne, Dai Vernon, Max Malini, and many more. You’ll discover over 40 of their most fooling routines and secrets, from Vernon’s slow-motion Ace Assembly to the diabolically devious Triple Coincidence by Scarne.
(I know a lot of magicians that have been crossing their fingers for this to go ‘out of print’ ASAP so they can keep the secrets inside tightly clutched to their chest.)
But more importantly than just methods, this book will inspire and entertain you.
And sure, some of it won’t measure up to the fast-paced, high-stakes world of Reality TV, but that’s okay. You’ll have to roll up your sleeves and apply some good old-fashioned elbow grease in places.
But when you have the ‘greatest hits’ of the best magicians of the 20th Century waiting for you to master, that’s a welcome task.
(For more reviews I run a blog called The Daily Magician at https://thedailymagician.com/)
Feel free to disagree with me in the comments! I'm open to opinions!
