talkmagic.co.uk

Yes, Yes I know it has been reviewed before. If you don't want to listen to be babble, then feel free to have a look at the 2004 review.
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic3423.php

I decided to write this after purchasing the book a few days back at International Magic. It proved to be the best purchase in a long long while!

The Effect: A substantial and lovely hardbacked book that is what I would stereotype as a typical "Magic" book. All the individual effects are listed in the above review so I won't go over all of them, but a few of my favourites will make it!

It starts off with a relatively basic explanation of the Hindu Shuffle, The Faro Shuffle, The Jog Shuffle and The DL Palm.

My favourite effect so far, has been Loraynes Ambitious Card Routine. A relatively simple (contains no major passes) routine that lasts about 2 minutes. He teaches an excellent D/L at the start that will aid in pulling off one of the moves later on. It also includes a move that ANY ACR should include in which a random face up card changes into the selected and signed card.





Cost: £20 from International Magic. They sell First Editions and it is soon to go out of print. You know what that means folks

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)

1-4. There are some nice self-workers, but some complicated moves and routines, that could be simplified if other false shuffles were used.



Review: I canhonestly say that this is one of the best books in my collection. Pages upon pages of material, with several of the effects worth the price alone.

He includes a detailed explanationTurnover Change which I'll be honest, I had never heard of before. It is a tricky but effective move and gives you several tricks and effects it can be used to obtain!

A great great book with effects that I will use for years. It really is immensely satisfying.


Overall: 9/10. Not quite 10 because for a real "Modern" performer, it does show its age. Plenty of the effects can be changed to suit a modern performer, but they are all real sit down effects with perfected patter.

I have never understood this daft nonsense of a "modern" performer. I often read about some trick or other that is supposed to be "dated"

Tommyrot and fiddlesticks!

Every single trick in Harry Lorayne's book can be performed for laymen who would have no idea whether it was a "modern" trick or not. I prefer some of the tricks to other but I can't for the life of me see where this "modern" tommyrot is relevant.

In fact most of the "modern" hotshot card magicians I have seen have been perfectly dreadful and should be banned from ever performing in public.

It is an amazing book. Simple and plain. I have performed a lot of material from there already and the reactions have been great.

I agree whole heartedly with you Wild Card, I purchased this recently too and have found it to be an excellent book.

I agree whole heartedly with you Wild Card

That doesn't happen to often!

I have studied the book for 45 years. It is one of the best books ever written on card magic. If you want a real stunner try "the moving pencil"

Just received mine today.

Going to Spain for a week at the end of the month and needed some holiday reading.

Just have to be strong and not read it before!

This is a great book, I found it to be a really good 'next step' after RRTCM - challenging but not too daunting. The descriptions are generally very clear and the Curry turnover is a great move, clearly described (which is a good job because there is a whole section of the book dedicated to tricks using this sleight).

For me there are a few too many tricks relying on mathematical principles and/or multiple outs but that's a personal preference. I don't like to perform what feel like 'risky' tricks but as I say, this is a personal preference.

Overall it is top-notch.

Oh and 'out of this universe' is an unbelievably good self working trick in my humble opinion.

For me there are a few too many tricks relying on mathematical principles and/or multiple outs but that's a personal preference. I don't like to perform what feel like 'risky' tricks but as I say, this is a personal preference.

Indeed, there is a trick in there that has a huge description that relies purely on Mathematical principles and I'm pretty sure it doesn't even give you a reveal. Just the long process of getting cards into certain positions etc but if you take the time to learn it, it really is a gem!