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I do agree that Royal Road can be boring. However, it is useful. Personally, I don't read it all the time because the tricks in the book seem simple and easy to work out.

My favourite is to purchase magic DVDs which can VISUALLY teach us how to perform tricks. Visual teaching is much more helpful than reading a book in my opinion.

I find that books aren't as useful as DVDs because of the large number of tricks you find in a book. In a book, there are many, many tricks (usually) however most are very basic and most people can work them out. These tricks put you off the better tricks hidden in the book whereas in a DVD, you can see the effect on spectators (you included) and you can decide whether it's a good trick. DVDs are usually compiled of the best tricks whereas books contain (usually) a bunch of simple and uneffective tricks (although some simple tricks are effective) and a few amazing effects!

StEvEbO!

Having had Royal Road for, oh, about a day, I'd say it's complete, authorititively and densely written, but poorly illustrated by the standards of today.

I'm the sort of person who likes to sit and read a terse description then go away, figure out what it means and make it my own, but for other, possibly younger or impatient would-be card botherers, I can see how it'd get tossed aside after a while in favour of a DVD.

The intro to chapter one does say the book forms a complete course, and that you're to plough through it and stop on each technique until you're familiar with it, and I thnik many will simply not have the patience.

'If i throw a dog a bone, i dont wanna know if it tastes good'
quote from Snatch

Sorry, I love that quote. I too bought RRTCM on the advice of this website and as it happens it wasnt really for me. But I also bought a couple of dvd's and also a couple of tricks that i only knew about from this forum. What I am trying to say is I have definatly got more good from TM than bad. Even the bad advice isnt bad because it was just a suggestion that unfortunatly did not work for me.

Thanks

Najis

Hi guys,

You might be well served with this discussion to take a look elsewehere within these (electronic & virtual) walls.

Have a look at:

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic65.php

it may be of help,

Regards,

Vic

Well done Vic.

Also, on the original point, I think that a lot of the recommendations of RRTCM are now accompanied by DVD recommendations - Oz Pearlman etc.

I think it just points to the fact that we have a lot of 'old-timers' (no offence meant!) here on TM - there are many many magicians that have been succesful starting out with The RRTCM. I classify myself here as an 'old-timer,' even though I'm only 23, as I must admit RRTCM does work for me. With members like Katrialalex et al, the balance is being redressed 'organically' if you like.

As The Chairmen of the Board said in 1970, "Give me just a little more time"

Number 3 in the Charts, Aug 1970 - just for the record!

I've been banging on for ages about the unsuitability of RRTCM compared to other options for many beginners. The reason being that it was totally the wrong advice for me when I started and talking to many others I discovered they felt the same. However the negatives rarely get mentioned and usually when someone asks for recommendations a host of magi trot out RRTCM and Bobo.

Glad to see a number of people disagree. Magi that recommend RRTCM please take note.

Happy Toad wrote:I've been banging on for ages about the unsuitability of RRTCM compared to other options for many beginners. The reason being that it was totally the wrong advice for me when I started and talking to many others I discovered they felt the same. However the negatives rarely get mentioned and usually when someone asks for recommendations a host of magi trot out RRTCM and Bobo.

Glad to see a number of people disagree. Magi that recommend RRTCM please take note.

Hello there.

I'll ditto that for Corinda's Thirteen Steps, if I may. It has the same feel as RRTCM. Okay, Corinda is complete, but it's soooo densely written (and there's no table of contents!!!)

I've been in the habit of recommending Born To Perform in lieu of RRTCM...I find it covers the basics (grips, DL, Biddle steals, that sort of thing) and even comes with a few flourishes (fans, LePaul spread, ECC...) - perfect .

I can't offer an opinion on RRTCM as I don't have it .

Kati

Not to add fuel to the fire..

But I think that most of you have hit the nail on the head..

It's the old addage.. "Horses for courses".

I too started with the Royal Road but found out quickly that it wasn't for me. I got frustrated with trying to work it out and then having no idea if I was doing stuff right. With a DVD I can see what it is supposed to look like etc.. which just leaves me with the practice rather than the nagging feeling of "Is it me.. or have I got it wrong ?".

Some people find books easier.. others DVDs. At least there is a wealth of material available now to choose from.

Slippery.