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I am going on holiday shortly, and I am looking for a book of tricks to study while I am over in Spain.

I do not want a book of techniques, just a book of good, entertaining card tricks of an advanced level.

Could anyody recommened anything???

Cheers

PS. If you have been wondering why I have not been posting on here so often, it has something to do with the good weather at my house, and to do with TMs need of a Sinbin (if you catch my drift )

Have you seen this book?

101 Greatest Magic Secrets Exposed by Herbert L Becker (Book) ISBN 0 8065 2154 6

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/whs/go.asp?isb ... fId=546330

The Effect
Over 250 pages of tricks, hints, tips and explanations.
This book contains many tricks from card levitation to great escapes and hypnosis to mind reading. It features slights of hand from magicians such as Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy.
The book covers many things. Starting with part 1, card tricks and decks. Decks such as the Svengali and Stripper. It moves on to the one handed pass and other tricks such as card on the ceiling (2 versions) and a good impromptu rising card. Part 2 focuses on hypnosis (8 versions and 3 experiments). Part 3 focuses on rope magic including cut and restored and knot in the middle. Part 4 is quite a interesting section on grate escapes such as underwater crate and burning box. Part 5 is names Mysterious Mayhem and includes sawing a person in two and sword through neck. Part 6 is mind reading including dice and card predictions. Part 7 is magic illusions such as flying carpet, walking through a wall and vanishing bowl of water.

Cost
£11.95

Difficulty
3 to 5 (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)
I say between 3 and 5 as it really depends. Some of the easy to do card / coin tricks would be a 3, maybe a 2 but if you tried the burning box escape I would say a 5.

Review
Although the book states it teaches you all these tricks I would say it is more an insight as to how they are done. It gives you enough information about each trick so you could figure it out but it does not teach you them in detail. I enjoyed reading it and having a look at the Copperfield and Houdini tricks. I would not say it is a beginners book as it can say things like then perform * pass / * life but not tell you how to do the move.

Overall
From a general interest point of view 9 out of 10.
From a teaching point of view 4 out of 10.
I think it is a nice book to read on a sunny day sat in the garden but not as your first and only purchase if your interested in magic.

Just spotted this review which might interets you...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic11460.php&highlight=

Excellent idea Kev - all the magicians who are not in need of a Sin Bin should just leave the forum - solving the issue - instead of sticking around and having a majority of good posters.

why not try some older classic like something by Vernon - I haven't got anything but I don't imagine it's bad.

OR a theory book - I can't reccomend The Performance of Close-Up Magic by Burger enough

AJ82 wrote:Overall
From a general interest point of view 9 out of 10.
From a teaching point of view 4 out of 10.
I think it is a nice book to read on a sunny day sat in the garden but not as your first and only purchase if your interested in magic.

Don't worry, I have been into magic since the day I arrived on this wonderful planet of ours.

Pitto: I do no mean any offense, but the boards are 'clogged' with so much rubbish, I just don't have the time to look for the good posts