Read What Others Are Saying
151 ★★★★★ reviews
105 ★★★★★ reviews
68 ★★★★★ reviews
105 ★★★★★ reviews
Listen and It Will Speak
reviewed by Marc Rehula (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 07 June, 2023)
This is primarily a script, a story, that ends with a card revelation as a natural outcome. The success of the routine will depend on your ability as a storyteller, and how well you can connect with a person, rather than manual dexterity. The story is good so the only question is whether it's worth the price ...
The Coin Board Book
reviewed by Kevin Anderson (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 04 June, 2023)
Very good material.
The Gyp Artist
reviewed by Gary Parkin (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 03 June, 2023)
I pondered this purchase for some time. $12 felt like a lot (it still does) and despite the long blurb, I felt it didn't really tell me what I wanted to know. So I thought I'd leave the review I wish someone else had left in the hope that it helps other future purchasers.
The book does not contain the bunco games I wanted. The blurb lists some old cons/swindles and in fact this is exactly what you get. The lecture is good and is slightly updated with mentions of the internet and smartphones. But just because the cons are old, don't think they are not still being used. The lecture tries to present these swindles in an entertaining manner with some, but not all, demonstrated using standard magic props.
Obviously, I've not presented this lecture, so my opinion is based entirely on reading it. But it sounds OK. Presented for the right group, it could go down well.
But what you really get from this booklet, (over 45 pages) is a great example of how re-framing your usual repertoire can affect the presentation and performance. Mr. Larsen, for example, uses Out of This World to illustrate how a tax swindle might work. It's quite inspired.
So while I don't think I'd ever present the lecture as is, I will certainly be using Mr. Larsen's ideas for re-framing tricks. And I shall certainly be using parts of the lecture as filler material as well as looking up similar items in other books on cons, swindle and bunco.
The Mind Reader
reviewed by David NicholsonRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 31 May, 2023)
Try this ....you made an error and the trick is awesome.
I have looked into this and the previous reviewer can be forgiven for his original comment as the way the effect is written can be misinterpreted and garner the wrong results!
You need to reread the final Working comment from the narrator which can be summarised as starting the count from the number alongside their mentally selected card.... So if they have chosen for example card number 7 and that is Right if hearts then that's the number that begins the count all the way through to your predicted number.
It works perfectly.....make sure you arrange the cards as stated as well!
Thanks Dave
One Glass One Card One Box
reviewed by Todd E Nice (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 30 May, 2023)
So, the method here is fine, but I wish there were more details about one aspect of the "gimmick" and additional notes on handling. The "move" is not described in detail at all, and a recommendation on misdirection/other motivation would be helpful. It is worth the $5, but you will have to put some thought into the two things mentioned to get a useable effect.
Glass Act: Magic Beyond Series
reviewed by DARRIN COOK (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 25 May, 2023)
Unfortunately, everything Pascal says in his review is accurate. For all the money being asked, there are no photographs or illustrations. Rather than give step-by-step instructions, the manuscript meanders, is overly wordy, and jumps from subject to subject. I don't know that I spent two hours, but I eventually gave up on trying to figure it out.
Any Ring PK Gimmick
reviewed by Isabelle Stephen (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 24 May, 2023)
I was looking for this for a very long time! I'm very happy I finally found it. The gimmick is pretty easy to build.
Take Five
reviewed by Nick LewinRating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 20 May, 2023)
Many of our readers will be familiar with Breggar from his long-running column in 'The Linking Ring'. He is now acknowledged to be something of a master of the "sleight-lite" school of magic. His ability to construct routines that replace "knuckle-busting" sleight-of-hand with subtleties and cunning is second to none. Michael creates magic that is entertaining and fun to perform.
Breggar has many books and marketed tricks to his credit and 'Take Five' is the latest to hit the magic world. It is a superb collection of five tricks culled from Michael's performing repertoire. Every one of these effects is powerful and entertaining, these routines have all been featured in Michael's Magic Castle act. Not only are the tricks good, but Breggar has woven them into a delightful Jazz influenced framework in his book.
I am a hard-core fan of both magic and music and thoroughly enjoyed Michael's cleverly written narrative that uses jazz references and parallels. One of my favorite pieces of ear candy is the Dave Brubeck tune that gives this book its title. So, all you hep-cat conjurers and jive-crazy prestidigitators are in for a double treat with Breggar's latest release!
Let's talk a little about the magic in 'Take Five'. "BR-ACAAN" is based on an idea by Barrie Richardson. I greatly respect Richardson's work, and this routine gives a nice twist on the classic ACAAN theme. "Sympa" is a very jazzy makeover of Nate Leipzig's "Sympathetic 13," and it is a very cool routine that I have had a lot of fun performing. "Decisions Decisions" is an excellent routine with a double-punch finale; check out Michael's performance of the effect at the Magic Castle above. My favorite routine is "Sherlock" which has a (you guessed it!) Sherlock Holmes "deduction" theme wrapped around a Harry Lorayne effect. Rounding out the 'Take Five' playlist is "Order in the Cortex," a neat and dandy card effect that will amaze any audience.
As you can tell I am very enthusiastic about Breggar's latest book, the price is right, and every magician will find at least a couple of routines to add to his repertoire. In fact, with strong and relatively easy effects, they might even find themselves Taking Five of them! I give this release a five-star rating and highly recommend it.
Robert Walker's Hyper Twist
reviewed by Russell Wagner (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 20 May, 2023)
Wonderful packet trick, I bought it the first time in 1976 from Paul Diamond, in Hollywood FL. He didn't think I would be able to do it hands to rough, I was a carpenter. Worked hard on it got it down went back and showed Paul, then spent the weekend for the next six months learning more about cards from Paul at his shop. Funny guy, was hard to get to know but once he saw you put in the time would go out of his way to teach you. Miss those days. Lol the packet trick is basically twisting the ace I've always enjoyed it. It's a bit longer but well worth learning.
No Delay: Think Stop
reviewed by hal barlow (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 19 May, 2023)
There are better methods for this effect. What is presented is workable, but not revolutionary.
One Glass One Card One Box
reviewed by hal barlow (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 19 May, 2023)
This is a true sleeper! Not in a boring way, but in a fly-under-the-radar way. A clever, well-constructed routine that would make a nice opener. Might be the best $5 you will spend on magic this year.
Chopper Secrets
reviewed by John Kauth (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 17 May, 2023)
For historical reference worth the 3 bucks. The most important part is the trick blades, which are simply and clearly diagrammed. There are no instructions for building the actual devices.
Ideas with the Invisible Deck
reviewed by Alexander Shulyatsky (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 03 May, 2023)
Awesome book! I am currently working on my book on the Invisible Deck, and when collecting information, it is extremely rare that something really very unique comes across, and here is a whole book of uniqueness! 11 routines. All working and for different situations: street, party, stage. It must be said separately that the ideas here do not kill your deck (torn off corner, inscription on the shirt, etc.). A separate buzz for me was the history of the deck, as well as collecting it, i.e. you buy a book and don’t ask yourself at all: “How and what should be here?”. Great job!
The Living Head Illusion
reviewed by Fred Ledo (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 01 May, 2023)
Angles are definiely wrong!
Magic Without Apparatus
reviewed by Christopher Reynolds (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 29 April, 2023)
Camille Gaultier was a French lawyer with a doctorate in law who later pursued a career as a full-time magician. He lived from 1872 to 1943. "Magic without Apparatus" is the English version of his 1914 book "La Prestidigitation sans Appareils."
Since its initial U.S. publication in 1945, "Magic Without Apparatus" achieved instant success among English-speaking magicians as one of the leading resources for advanced sleight-of-hand knowledge. Translated by author and magician Jean Hugard, it presented written and illustrated entries on performing everything from card and coin sleights to manipulating thimbles and billiard balls.
Professor Hoffman (author of Modern Magic) wrote:
"A contribution of the first rank to the literature of the subject. ... The book may fairly claim to contain the best sleights of the most finished performers, many of them never, till now, described in print. ... To the serious magician, the man who aims at becoming a master of his art, the information here given should be of the highest possible value."
Leo Rullman was a book dealer, Deputy Collector of the Port of New York. He was a skilled juggler and amateur magician. Rullman was known for his appreciation of magic literature. He once praised "Magic Without Apparatus" as "the greatest work on pure sleight-of-hand in any language."
This book contains a collection of the most effective methods for performing sleight-of-hand tricks, compiled from the works of famous magicians like Howard Thurston, Harry Houdini, August Roterberg, Charlier, Felicien Trewey, Chung Ling Soo, and others, including the author. This is an invaluable resource for those who are fascinated with sleight-of-hand conjuring.
For history buffs such as myself, the 58-page introduction was alone worth the price of the (e)book. Gaultier begins by discussing the influence of French conjurers (like Alexander Herrmann, Robert Houdin, and Buatier de Kolta) in magic history before reviewing early French conjuring literature and describing the types of magic performed in the seventeenth through early nineteenth centuries.
The initial section of the book covers playing cards, containing various techniques with in-depth explanations beyond what a typical magic learner may have previously encountered, including five methods of false shuffling, eleven for making the pass, fifteen for avoiding the use of the pass, five ways to force cards, fourteen methods of card palming, thirteen card changes and substitutions, and seventeen "color changes" with cards.
Part Two of the book delves into coin magic. It's structured similarly to Part One, covering the fundamental techniques used in coin conjuring. Overall, there are 55 essential sleights to learn, including 14 methods for coin palming, 36 ways to make coins disappear, and 5 methods for coin transformation.
Part three thoroughly covers billiard ball sleights and tricks, while part four focuses on sleights and tricks using thimbles.
This book is exceptional as a reference for pure sleight-of-hand as it offers an unparalleled and comprehensive treatment. Over the past decade, the art of magic and illusion has significantly progressed, particularly with playing cards. However, magic enthusiasts may find the techniques presented in "Magic Without Apparatus" moldy and unappealing. It's a shame that some may dismiss it as outdated.
Modern performers need to appreciate the roots of their art form. They shouldn't live in an artistic vacuum with only the latest YouTube videos. Neglecting the history of their craft, they limit their creativity.
Spend the time reading Magic Without Apparatus, remembering that you're a link in a chain that spans back to antiquity. There is no such thing as an "old" sleight or trick, only forgotten ones ready to be dusted off and taken out of retirement.
As the saying goes, "If you don't know your past, then you won't know your future."
The Jastrow Illusion in Magic
reviewed by Chris Sutton (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 24 April, 2023)
For $10 it's not a bad overview.
However, I was expecting more details about the many, many routines that have used the Jastrow Illusion.
Historically. Pretty Cool.
Giving details to help flush out your own routine? Not so much.
For $10 not bad. I just wish there was more meat on the bones.
The Box Goes-In-Da Box
reviewed by Chris Sutton (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 24 April, 2023)
Best thing about this item is the blue print to make your own Gozinta boxes. The Historical background of the creator is appreciated.
A Wine and Cheese Party with Simon Lovell - and 200 Women: Volume 1
reviewed by Joel Howlett (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 24 April, 2023)
I really enjoyed these volumes.
Simon Lovell was both quirky and profound in these recordings.
He discusses a magic trick for Radio, a magic trick to teach your cat, comedy, why in his opinion you shouldn't float the paper rose, fees and stories and quotes from people like Tommy Wonder, Sol Stone and Peter Samelson!
These were fun to listen to! Five Stars!
Thanks Simon Lovell and lybrary.com for making these available.
The Psychology of Magic
reviewed by Joel Howlett (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 24 April, 2023)
I am very happy with this purchase. Bill Nagler shares his feelings that the old saying "It's Fun To Be Fooled" may not be true! He goes into details on how a magician can change his or her approach and presentations to win over an audience. Bill gives a detailed explanation of his own close up act.
Five Stars! Thank you Bill Nagler and Lybrary.com for making this available.
Learning from Experience
reviewed by Joel Howlett (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 24 April, 2023)
I really enjoy the Mark Leveridge E- Books.
Mark has great advice to offer. This audio will give both newer performers and seasoned professionals lots to think about. Important discussions include practical set ups, fees, conversational patter for strolling situations, PA Systems, adapting the classics of magic and rethinking the time you spend on facebook!
Five Stars! Thank Mark and Lybrary.com
Learning from Experience Audio Book
reviewed by Joel Howlett (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 24 April, 2023)
I really enjoy the Mark Leveridge Audio Books.
Mark has great advice to offer. This audio will give both newer performers and seasoned professionals lots to think about. Important discussions include practical set ups, fees, conversational patter for strolling situations, PA Systems, adapting the classics of magic and rethinking the time you spend on facebook!
Five Stars! Thank Mark and Lybrary.com
UF Grant Instruction Sheets 1
reviewed by Ron Cowart (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 21 April, 2023)
As I have come to expect from this excellent source....PERFECT!!
Cellini: The Royal Touch
reviewed by joe danciger (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 21 April, 2023)
I was very happy to find this.
The Mind Reader
reviewed by Michael Timofeev (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 20 April, 2023)
As described, the effect doesn't work. Note that the ad illustration has the number 28 written on the prediction slip, yet the ad copy states 32. No matter how you count the cards, the mentally selected card doesn't appear at the number 32 or 28.
Gen Grant's Manual of Magic
reviewed by Amado Narvaez (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 19 April, 2023)
Like all of Grant's magic, there are some gems here!
Dovetail Deceptions
reviewed by Amado Narvaez (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 19 April, 2023)
A great introduction to dove magic.
Mentelimination Plus
reviewed by Marc Rehula (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 18 April, 2023)
Very clever working of this type plot, where you sincerely find a card that is missing in the pack. However, this is not a self-working routine. It's not necessarily difficult, but it will require that you devote much time to practice - the more you practice, the smoother and speedier the routine will flow.
Coffee Bones
reviewed by Claude Shaffer (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 15 April, 2023)
I present a couple other mental things using dice, even after reading Hal's review, I still had hopes that this could be incorporated into the routine flow. It is unfortunate that Coffee Bones does not meet my expectations. I am in agreement with what Hal Barlow wrote in his review.
In my opinion, this should be in an e-book (with other thoughts and routines with that extra) to command the $10 download cost, not a standalone trick and presentation.
The Art of Illusion
reviewed by Jason Lucchini (confirmed purchase)Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 13 April, 2023)
love this book, very informative.