Reviews of products by Dai Vernon
Symphony of the Rings
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Terence LaSorda (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 09 December, 2024)
I don’t know whatever happened to my original copy of this great instructional book, but it is great to have these well-written instructions and clear pictures before my eyes again!
My first read-through of this wonderful digital rendition of this absolute magic classic brought me back to the summer of 1974 on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA., where I read my original paper copy of this great tome! This classic pulled me deeper into my lifelong love affair with the art of sleight of hand. It is wonderful to feel that passion in my heart again!
My mastery of this wonderful routine led to my winning the all university talent show at Lehigh University in the fall of 1974, which led to a lucrative side career, which was a great monetary support to my academic career! Indeed, mastery of this book and other classics like it provided me with the sleight of hand mastery to impress Mr. Muhammad Ali in an unexpected meeting with him in 1978. The outcome of that meeting was a year long contract to travel with him, and be his personal magic teacher! This experience prepared me for a lifetime of performing professional magic, which also enhanced my career as a metallurgical engineer. Visualization is absolutely needed to learn and be proficient at sleight of hand, but visualization is also an absolutely necessary skill to have to be successful at metallurgical engineering. This is how patents are produced; and, I have produced 4 patents in my metallurgical engineering career!
Dai Vernon's Inner Secrets of Card Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Christopher Reynolds (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 29 July, 2022)
It's hard to believe there was a time when Dai Vernon didn't exist, and his name still casts such a large shadow over card magic thirty years after his death.
I feel almost embarrassed about writing a review for Inner Secrets Of Card Magic. What could a ham-and-egger like myself possibly have to say about professor Dai Vernon that better men than me haven't already said? Is it even necessary to write another gushing puff piece extolling the genius of a man who many consider the Pablo Picasso of card magic?
The answer is yes, and I'll tell you why.
I never knew the man or currently know anyone who did know him. Nor have I ever studied under his former protegees like Ricky Jay or Richard Turner.
I've only read about him over the years, and his name pops up like a bad case of herpes in so many magic books that I started to loathe him. I've consciously gone out of my way to avoid anything related to him.
And this complete lack of hero-worshipping makes me the perfect candidate to look at Vernon's work with a fresh eye and give an unbiased review.
I've learned that if you try to take your skills with a pack of cards to the next level, steering clear of Dai Vernon is impossible. So, I decided it was finally time to wave the white flag of surrender and put my willful ignorance and prejudice aside. And brother, let me tell you, am I ever glad I did.
At first, I was a bit hesitant. Vernon's oeuvre has been so mythologized over the years that I was expecting a perplexing dissertation on quantum physics. No person wants to feel that they're too stupid to comprehend a card trick. But as I worked through the chapters, cards in hand, I realized that the only thing I had to fear was fear itself.
This ease of understanding is partly due to co-writer Lewis Ganson. I've read other works by Ganson, and all share a common trait: clear, unambiguous descriptions that leave the reader with a complete grasp of the text.
That's not to say that I didn't find many of the sleights difficult. I found myself regularly dropping cards all over the floor. Some of the moves might even take months to master. But you can safely dismiss any fears that the material in Inner Secrets Of Card Magic is too complex. In Chapter Two: A Little Thought Required, a few tricks require zero sleight-of-hand, relying instead on subtle moves and misdirection.
Even if you were to read this book and not practice one move in it, Vernon's sly sense of humor and breadth of historical knowledge turn what could have been a tedious exercise into something fun and enjoyable.
I've now read the book three days in a row. It's so full of exciting, inventive ideas and subtle touches that I experiment with the information at hand like a mad scientist until my hands begin to ache.
I feel like a guitar player discovering Jimi Hendrix for the first time.
Do I have anything negative to say about this book? No, I don't. But let me make a recommendation that may ruffle some feathers.
After reading Inner Secrets Of Card Magic cover to cover, I believe that only those with a high reading comprehension level will have an easy time grasping this work. While simple to understand, the text has complex sentence structures and is peppered with words like "commence" and "endeavor," which may be over a casual reader's head.
If a college freshman's reading level is too difficult for you, I suggest you purchase a DVD or download one of the many videos featuring Vernon's work. Otherwise, you'll be in for a frustrating time.
If forced to list any faults, it's this: the photos illustrating some sleights can be grainy. But a lack of hi-def photography is a minor, practically nonexistent point to quibble over.
This ebook is more than a bargain at the going price of $9.90. It's the year 2022, and inflation is at a record high. The other day ago, I spent almost eleven dollars on a loaf of bread and two dozen eggs. In the future, if I have to choose between spending my money on food or Dai Vernon, then I choose Vernon.
If you love card magic and take it seriously, buy this book. Now!
Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jeff Chandler (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 19 April, 2022)
I haven't had a chance to thoroughly explore this book, but having owned the previous 2 volumes I am confident I will not be disappointed in this book. Buy it with confidence. You can't go wrong with this series of books by Dai Vernon and Lewis Ganson.
Dai Vernon's More Inner Secrets of Card Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Tony Kent (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 12 April, 2022)
A well-known classic by one of the truly great masters. Anyone interested in card magic will find treasures here, and if you aren't into cards if you study this book then you will be.
The Dai Vernon Book of Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Samuel Kugler (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 09 January, 2022)
One of the best magic books out there - for only 20$. You get one of the best coin routines (Chinese Classic, a Coins through table effect), a great card stab (which you can perform standing or sitting) by the great Nate Leipzig, the best C&B routine (in my opinion) and many more. And the chapter 'Vernon Touch' is probably worth the 20$ alone. Even if you don't perform one single effect from this book (but seriously, why would you do this?), to read the thoughts of the great Professor is inspiring and fascinating. He was a true artist!
So don't read this comment written in bad English - buy this book by the great Professor!
50 New Card Secrets
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Michael Lyth
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 25 May, 2020)
If you are lucky to own a physical copy you know the content is still adaptable for today's audiences but just need slight alteration to your own style of presentation. I have put this into my wishlist as I get older my eyesight not as good from reading the many great works of magic so when time comes I will enlarge on screen the pdf to suit my eyes and relive some of my old favourite effects. And you never know I might be inspired to create new ideas from them. Just like you can...
Keep safe everyone .......
Symphony of the Rings
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Dave De Kerf (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 05 January, 2017)
A legendary routine in a high-quality ebook.
This is everything I could have wished for at a great price.