The Book Al Schneider on Coins
For those who don't know, Al is the guy who invented the matrix. (I didn't know this a while back and then I mailed him to ask who invented it and where I could get it
). Watching some of Al's routines on his web site http://www.worldmagiccenter.com is what got me hooked on coins in the first place. His book - "Theory of Magic", available on the same site, was probably the turning point between me being someone who did a few tricks - to being a serious student of the art. Anyway - that said - when I found out about his book I tried to get it everywhere, but it was out of print. So - when I found out he had made it available online I was thrilled.
Cost $10 - in my opinion it's ridiculous. The book is worth far more than that, I mean it's the same price as some of Penguin's instant downloads - and you get far more than one trick (I'm not knocking penguin here - I also like their downloads). I'm not complaining though - but i would have easily paid twice that. I'm grateful, though
Difficulty between 3 and 4. The moves aren't too difficult - it's not finger breaking stuff, but the subtelties around them will take months to perfect.
(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)
Review
A complete description can be found here.
Al starts off by giving a bit of theory which is invaluble - it's a summary of what's in "Theory of magic" (available for free on his site).
He then teaches a couple of his moves and vamishes which are used throughout the book, and then goes into some routines, which are either his own work, or adaptations of other people's routines - like stuff from Bobo's modern coin magic. A number of these moves and routines are available to view on his website so I won't go into too much detail here.
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE: SIX PROPERTIES OF DECEPTION
CHAPTER TWO: VANISHES
--SCHNEIDER VANISH
--SCHNEIDER CLASSIC VANISH
--SNAP BACK VANISH
--FINGER CLIP VANISH
CHAPTER THREE: MISCELLANEOUS MOVES
--POP-UP COIN MOVE
--TWIRL LOAD
--HAND LOAD
CHAPTER FOUR: COINS ACROSS
--QUICK SILVER
--QUICK CENTAVOS
--CROSSED CARDS I
--CROSSED CARDS II
CHAPTER FIVE: COINS THROUGH THE TABLE
--THREE HALVES THROUGH
--QUICK SHOT
CHAPTER SIX: BOX ROUTINES
--ONE HALF GONE
--SOC II
CHAPTER SEVEN: HANK BITS
--ONE COIN THROUGH
--COIN GROWTH
CHAPTER EIGHT: HEAVY MANIPULATION
--DYNAMIC COIN
--TRI-VANISH
Overall
Al is a really good teacher. He goes into fine detail of every move and makes it really easy to understand. He's also an excellent author and the book is easy and enjoyable to read. He gives a brief history of how the effects/moves developed. Every routine has step by step photos of every move (307 pictures in all)
The book is like a teasure chest in that there is just so much to learn from it, and yet it doesn't seem overwhelming. I have a couple of books that I have never really got into because they're just plain intimidating, whereas this one I find I'm excited about and want to learn everything in it. It's a must have for any coin worker..
I'll give it 10/10
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PS. His "Coins Across" book is available too. You can view the routine here http://www.worldmagiccenter.com/icoinacr.htm.
I bought it as well but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I'll post a review as soon as I have..
?!)
