talkmagic.co.uk

OK. I've been building up a library of card magic books to work through over the next few years (!) and already have more than enough. But I want to make sure I haven't missed a "key player". So I've got material from the following...

Hugard/Braue
Erdnase
Scarne
Giobbi
Harry Lorayne
Dai Vernon
Marlo
Daryl
Paul Gordon
Lewis Jones
Lennart Green
Juan Tamariz
Paul Harris
Dan and Dave Buck
Roy Walton
Dave Campbell
Nick Trost

Who is the most important omission from this list? Darwin Ortiz? Rene Lavand? Someone I've never even heard of? Your suggestions appreciated!

I'd second Darwin Ortiz and Rene lavand, but can't think of any others at the moment....

Jerry Sadowitz
Simon Aronson
Peter Duffie

Books only, right? No Richard Turner, Martin A Nash, etc.?

Yes please - books. Not so keen on DVDs in most cases.

Bro. John Hamman

i reckon you've already got more than enough...

IAIN wrote:i reckon you've already got more than enough...

How long would it take to work through each effect just once to feel how it plays out in your own hands?

IAIN wrote:i reckon you've already got more than enough...

Yeah - but have I got enough of the right stuff? That's the question. Play the game and give us a suggestion! A month ago I hadn't heard of Lennart Green and now I think he's brilliant. So a few pointers would be useful. Cheers!

TheStoner wrote:

IAIN wrote:i reckon you've already got more than enough...

Yeah - but have I got enough of the right stuff? That's the question. Play the game and give us a suggestion! A month ago I hadn't heard of Lennart Green and now I think he's brilliant. So a few pointers would be useful. Cheers!

More than enough! Those cover the spectrum of classics.

I know, no DVDs, but really, The Devil's Picturebook by Derren Brown is worth every penny. It's the only reasonably-priced magician's product you can get from him now - good luck getting (non-digital) copies of his books.

What do you want to learn? Sleights? Presentations? Ways to astound?
In my humble opinion, you could spend the next few years creating effects using basic techniques such as the DL, various forces and maybe the odd stacked deck. Add a stripper deck (/nods to Tomo), an ID and a smattering of short cards and you're going to be very busy for a while.

Don't buy Derren's TDPB unless you want to be discouraged. He is *so* good it's depressing

In short, my advice is to concentrate on the effect and not the method. I know it's not original advice but it might save you some money and time.

EDIT: But if you want to add more to your list, Annemann's stuff is worth looking at, mainly because many of his effects are hilariously over the top in terms of method. I like them, though...

Stoner,

Come down a London meet, you'll see loads of quality effects played out in the real world that aren't neccessarily that hard (technically) to perform. If you're looking for audience tested material that slays it might be worth your while coming down to see it in action.

Books wise, what about Jim Sisti as well?

Two already mentioned are Jerry Sadowitz and Simon Aronson. Superb stuff.
If you ever happen to be in IM once you've learnt some of Jerry's material, I wouldn't go showing him

I would also suggest Michael Vincent's material. Classic and elegant although honestly, it's a bit overpriced.

I would add to the list: Aaron Fisher. His book "The Paper Engine: Tension, Focus, and Design in Card Magic" is a very in-depth discussion of how to examine a sleight and tweak its mechanics to take advantage of your own personal mannerisms, as well as physics. It also contains his gravity half-pass, and uses for it which you would never have dreamed of. He's a great teacher, and the book shows just how much thought should be put into working with and choosing sleights for your card magic.

- Rob

RobMagus wrote:I would add to the list: Aaron Fisher. His book "The Paper Engine: Tension, Focus, and Design in Card Magic" is a very in-depth discussion of how to examine a sleight and tweak its mechanics to take advantage of your own personal mannerisms, as well as physics. It also contains his gravity half-pass, and uses for it which you would never have dreamed of. He's a great teacher, and the book shows just how much thought should be put into working with and choosing sleights for your card magic.

- Rob

Thanks for this Rob - it's just the sort of thing I was after. I've only vaguely heard of Aaron Fisher and haven't got anything by him, so this pointer to "The Paper Engine" is very helpful. Cheers!