Reviews: Read What Others Are Saying: page 17
202 ★★★★★ reviews
143 ★★★★★ reviews
85 ★★★★★ reviews
131 ★★★★★ reviews
The Bammo Gridlock Dossier
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 11 September, 2023)
When I was a 'mathematically-minded' young boy, my mind turns off as soon as I see Max Maven with one of his matrices (or equivalent) on TV (sorry! or Martin Gardner!). Because:
1) 1+3, 2+2, 3+1 is still equals to 4. In other words, predictable (that you are going to be forced) and formulaic (once you've seen one, you feel like you've seen them all, see point 3).
2) It is sterile, as in a hospital with spotless white tiles, and dry, like sitting in a pure math class (no apple and oranges story, just pure numbers).
3) You can only present a matrix effect at most only ONE (1) time in a session. Showing another one seems to be a repeat of the previous one.
4) Spectator feels like he is just following many mathematical (i.e. boring) instructions.
This book: 1) Shows you how to present a matrix effect without making it feel like a matrix effect, by creative usage of themes, props and other presentation ideas. 2) presents matrices that does not feel like a math class. 3) Provide interest to the spectator to follow the instructions, without feeling like a tedious computer program cooking recipe. 4) There are some curve ball ideas thrown in (using other magic principles) to disrupt the thinking that these matrices are predictable - that they go in only one way all the time; a misconception proven here. 5) Changed my perception of this principle.
Very well written, straight to the point, every word not wasted, lots of eye openers, insightful, creative, comprehensive and inspiring for planting the seed in your head to come out with more ideas, full references to continue your discovery. You know, the usual with Mr. Bob Farmer.
Worth the money. Suitable for beginners as well, all skill levels.
Bammo Crambazzled Dossier
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
I like self-working principles. I like it even more so if presented in a way that the spectator does not feel like being fooled or not treated like a fool. (Looking at you, 3 Card Monte et al.)
I love it even more when the principle, is thoroughly explored and explained as in this book, with various comprehensive presentation ideas that captivate, that it becomes stimulating to come out with more ideas on your own; ideas that are not limited to cards as per the book. Maybe boxes, envelopes, coins, etc who knows?
This book is really value for money, full of ideas content-wise.
Learning-wise, it's like learning from your most favorite teacher / guru / monk / professor who really opened up your eyes to everything.
Writing-wise, well written and every word is contributing to the idea (no padding, long backstory, long winded writing, rhetoric passages, etc). Straight to the point and clear. No same word written 1000 times just to fulfill the essay word count.
Bob Farmer is a creator who does not disappoint and really deserves credit.
Coin'cidence
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
It's quite expensive for the principle that this trick is based on; nothing groundbreaking for the price. i.e. It's overpriced. The book only teaches one single fundamental base. Then, if you need variations and ideas, you have to pay the same amount for the extra books.
(For the total price of all books in the series, you're better off spending money on Bob Farmer's Bammo Gridlock Dossier. It goes through the principle that this category of trick is based on, although more table space is required. If you're creative, you can adapt it to a smaller setup. Also, it is VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY comprehensive, with lots of creative variations on employing the principle. Good for your money especially if you're a beginner.)
Third Dimension Telepathy
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
Not for beginners (3 stars if you are)! 4-5 stars if you are an experienced reader / performer.
You need to already have experience in giving readings and line ala fortune telling / horoscope writing / cold reading etc...
This book explains how to use a volunteer from the audience as a 'crutch', for lack of a better word. Not in a bad meaning, but in a good way; Like you got shot in the leg in the battlefield and your buddy is there to help you out of there and save you. However, in this case, the volunteer does so without being aware that their thoughts and actions are for your performance benefit.
Essentially the book is about performance advice, audience control, presentation.
You need to first build up some knowledge of mentalism magic techniques and fortune telling / readings and performance in order to effectively apply the stuff from this book.
Pure Q and A
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
Not for beginners!
4-5 stars if you are already an experienced or working Q & A performer that can employ the stuff in this book.
You need to have intensive experience in the presentation of giving readings and answers, lines; just like what your standard fare of fortune tellers, horoscope writers, mediums, i.e. 'non magician' mentalists etc. are already doing. None of those 'fluff' that is used in standard 'mental magic', hence no feeling of 'magic trick' - It DOES NOT teach any 'mental magic' tricks i.e. peeks, switches etc. You'll have to learn the basics and build up some foundation of Q&A 'tricks' first, plus readings. Then you can build the stuff taught in this book around your own repertoire / methods.
The above paragraph is the main thing that should help you decide if you want to get this or not.
Basically, this book is good for mainly presentation for an effective Q & A presentation; techniques you can also use in other reading routines, e.g. tarot readings, astrology, etc, and controlling the performance and audience. Lots of advice regarding answering and performing. Exactly what the title says, it is just pure Q&A.
Un Taglio Profondo
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by CARLO ALBERTO MENONCIN (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 09 September, 2023)
It's a very interesting card technique.
Ancora in Giro
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by CARLO ALBERTO MENONCIN (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 09 September, 2023)
Very interesting: they're more beautiful tricks. All right!
Forbidden Wisdom
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Leslie Warren (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 September, 2023)
This is an old book written in 1948. Mostly written text with some simple drawings. These old books give basic information on accomplishing the effects and a bare-bones presentation.
Silverdusted
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Leslie Warren (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 September, 2023)
A great sit-down-at-the-table coin routine. Moves as sleights are explained and there are some pictures for extra understanding.
Bob Parrish Lecture #2
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Leslie Warren (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 September, 2023)
These are old style lecture notes. Bob Parrish provides ideas that he has used in his act. There are no pictures just a brief written description.
I liked his linking ring idea. Maybe other people will find an idea that is worth gold.
Duplo: drawing duplication
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Leslie Warren (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 September, 2023)
The video is easy to follow but a little difficult to hear. There is music playing while the explanation is being given. I tried this and it does work. A simple drawing or one number or letter is easy to see.
The Bammo Full-Deck False Shuffle
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Laurence Phillips (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 September, 2023)
As always, anything from Bob Farmer is worth learning. This is an incredibly simple, and extremely effective full-deck false shuffle. But for me, Bob's take on the famous J.C. Wagner "Super Closer" is the real value of this short document. Overall, a great value for a small price. Thanks, Bob for sharing this with us!
Second Guest
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Leslie Warren (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 05 September, 2023)
I haven't tried to make this yet, but I am sure it will take more than one try to get the gimmick to look good. Maybe everyone who buys this will make it once with no mistakes.
Masterful Mysteries: Professional Magic Feats
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by ROBERT FULLMER (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 04 September, 2023)
Masterful Mysteries is an excellent book from a working Pro. It has been said, that if you find one good idea you can use in a book, then it is well worth the cost. I found no less than 6 things I can and will use from this book. Well put together. Good explanations. And, as I said, plenty of great material!!
Simon Lovell's Strange and Unusual Hobbies Show
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Joel Howlett (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 01 September, 2023)
This one is a must-have for your downloads library! It's a rare treat to see a professional performer present an unedited one-man show for a lay audience. Simon is both skillful and fun to watch. Highly recommended!
Tradeshow Transposition
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by hal barlow (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 30 August, 2023)
The trick is just glossed over. Not worth the money in my opinion.
How To Escape From Any Handcuffs
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by David Cox (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 27 August, 2023)
Please don't buy this. I feel like I have been robbed. Thank you for stating the obvious method for unlocking a set of handcuffs. I was hoping for a sensible document discussing different tools, cuff orientation or even modern vs vintage. Instead, I get a leaflet telling me to palm an object used to unlock stuff. A waste of time and money.
Cap and Ball
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Richard Greenough (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 24 August, 2023)
I liked this trick because of its simplicity. I figured out how it was done after watching the promo video, but I still wanted to learn more about the hand movements, etc. Definitely worth the $10, not just for the great tutorial, but for the ingenuity of inventing this trick.
Magic with an ESP Deck
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Richard Watkins (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 24 August, 2023)
Very good love it give it a try.
S/Which Hand
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Dave Arch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 23 August, 2023)
The first phase of this routine might be the most obvious to the audience. Yet I believe by emphasizing the information not known to the performer even this could be minimized. Then the first phase can be quickly followed by the second phase which could be paced slower than the first - giving time misdirection to the first phase. Finally, the routine finishes with the third phase which also could be paced more slowly and in my opinion is the strongest of the three layers. My belief is that this should not be repeated for the same audience.
A Different Silk Vanish
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Wyatt Wyatt (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 17 August, 2023)
Hey...a different silk vanish is great...I never leave home without my thumb tip for quick on the spot magic...but now that I use the dye...plus n tube...it brings color to the table. Coins and cards are expected when it comes to magic...but when you surprise a silk routine… it's different and that's why it's known as a different silk vanish...the surprise...take a tip...don't leave home without it...you'll see the difference.
Speeding Bullets
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Howard Port (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 16 August, 2023)
I am a hobbyist, just retired, but I performed extensively in my twenties. This is a typical Racherbaumer book with a complete look at the seven-card assembly. The book includes many items by two of my favorites, Marlo and Steve Reynolds.
My rating is lowered because about fifty figures and photos are referenced in the text but not included. However, I have been able to figure out the workings of these items without too much trouble.
S/Which Hand
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Anders (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 11 August, 2023)
This is a clever idea and I have a Medieval act I incorporate it into this act with a pebble of course. Love it, love the simplicity of it and if you know other non electronis systems, you can repeat it with another method.
S/Which Hand
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Craig Fifer (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 10 August, 2023)
The key principle of this effect is so simple as to be obvious to the participants. Although there are clever layers to the routine, they all rest on a foundation that isn't fooling at all. I found the price fairly high for something so simple.
Fun with a Banana
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by RICKY MORGAN (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 07 August, 2023)
The sight of a banana always gets the laughs especially when everyone knows the old standby of the person who slips on the proverbial banana skin dropped in the street by some careless individual! This collection of 30 banana gags by Edwin and Ian is a godsend for any comedy performer and even if you are really hard to please any one of these ideas could spark a new usage of this timeless comedy gag. Whether the banana is sponge of latex really makes no difference whatsoever the one I have used is latex with a zipper on the side and I can tell you that when I tell the audience I'm feeling hungry unzip the side of the banana and produce the missing card it gets the laughs-especially if you already have a piece of real banana and offer it to the spectator. I would say you don't necessarily have to be a comedian to use this prop but it helps if you can inject a new approach to this timeless comedy item. The manuscript is nicely produced easy to read and clear to understand. Highly recommended to all comedy men of magic!!!