talkmagic.co.uk

[fletch]

The Effect
Various card moves explained in detail in a 47 page paperback book:

Grips-standard,Biddle,vertical,straddle, bevel, slip-cut

Breaks
Buckle
Pull-down
Swing-cuts
Transfer-cuts
Slip-cuts
Flushtration move
Jordan Count
Elmsley count
Kardyro-Biddle move
Hamman count
Tilts
Atfus
Ascanio spread
Complete false overhand shuffle
DL and turnover


This is basically a reference book for all of the above sleights. Each of the moves is described in full with excellent photos. The text is easily understandable and there are som interesting little historical snippets about the origins of each move. The book does not go into any tricks or applications of the moves and so is strictly for learning the moves and for reference.


Cost
£7. Not sure on the general availability (surely widespread) but i bought mine from Davenport's


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)

3-4+

Review

For 7 quid this is a little gem, going into much more detail on how to effect various required sleights that are often not well described in packet tricks and which have been developed since the publication of RRTCM etc.
As I said, it doesn't detail any tricks as such, but there's lots of useful info and for £7 i can't see that anyone with an interest in card sleights shouldn't have it. It's absolutely ideal for someone progressing on from the more basic books, but I'm sure even the more experienced cardicians will find something in here. Probably not really one for the beginner, though as no tricks detailed.


Overall
9/10 Can't really fault it apart from being in a crappy softback magazine type format which keeps the price low, but will probably fall apart before too long.

[Mandrake]

Great book - check out http://www.emagictricks.co.uk/product_i ... ts_id=4507 - £7.95 plus P&P

[seige]

Sounds like something every budding cardician should own.

Learning sleights is fundamental - but having an 'on-tap' guide like this makes sense, especially when there are many commercial effects available which mention slights as part of the trick, but do not elaborate on how the sleight is performed.

[magicdiscoman]

do they do a large print version

[Mandrake]

Havn't seen a large print version offered anywhere yet so I guess it's a case of getting enlarged photocopies if possible. The photos are are in black and white so ought to copy well enough.

[seige]

You could try holding it closer to your face???

[Mandrake]

And get ink on my nose? Nah!

By the way, how can you spot a happy motorcyclist?
(By the dead flies on his teeth!)

[bananafish]

I was thinking of starting to buy the Card College books for helping with learning sleights/flourishes.

I guess they shouldnt be compared to this book though as although they are much more comprehensive they are also much more expensive.

I do like the idea of owning books though, as it means I can carry it around with a deck of cards and practice anywhere, something that as good as the DVD's are - they cant compete with books for this.

Sounds like an excellent book anyway.

[Luker21]

the elmsley count explanation in this is one of the best i have seen i find.