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[TheOldForum]

I got this book by Edwin Sachs at Waterstones, and I must say that it's pretty good. It set me back by around 11 quid, but the techniques it teaches are almost all the classics you can wish for. It does close up card, coin, everyday items magic, as well as "grand" magic with cards, coins and other props. As its title implies, it IS all about sleight of hand, very rarely would you have to make gimmicks for your tricks. My only problem with it is that it's a bit dated, it WAS written in the late nineteenth century, so new techniques have made some of the effects it describes easier. But if you put in the requisite amount of practice, you'll find yourself improving quite fast...This book is referred to in many modern magic manuals, like the Royal Road to Card Magic and Modern Coin Magic. Not really for the specialists, but for those wanting to improve their general dexterity and want a new book to chew on, this would be it.