Reviews: Read What Others Are Saying: page 27
217 ★★★★★ reviews
150 ★★★★★ reviews
95 ★★★★★ reviews
141 ★★★★★ reviews
Magic Without Apparatus
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by joe danciger (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 21 April, 2023)
I was very happy to find this.
The Mind Reader
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Amado Narvaez (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 19 April, 2023)
A great introduction to dove magic.
Mentelimination Plus
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★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.
The Art of Illusion
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jason Lucchini (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 13 April, 2023)
love this book, very informative.
Magic Digest
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Peter Vattimo (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 10 April, 2023)
One of my favorite books in any genre !!! I got my paperback copy in the 1970's and this ebook is my reading copy that I can read anytime I have my tablet. Solid magic ... Cards, rope, coins, mentalism - actual illusions - and for the old timers there are catalog samples from years ago, as well as historical entries on magic and magicians. This is the book I go to as a "feel good" read !!!
Jinx
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Peter Vattimo (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 10 April, 2023)
Classic magic ... A fun historical read. Well presented as an ebook at a cost that is incredibly low. There is stuff here that is dated ... But also material that may be updated. Well worth the price.
ESP Cards with Bicycle Back Marked
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Rory Gullion (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 07 April, 2023)
Fantastic... These are great ESP cards easy to read, even with "old eyes". Although they are easy to read, they are not detectable to the average spectator. In fact, after showing them several other magicians, they weren't able to spot the markings when I shared that they were marked.
Twenty Stunners with a Nail Writer
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Andrew Baroch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 29 March, 2023)
An essential primer for quickie thought reading. Handling and presentation.
13 Steps to Mind Maintenance for Magicians and Mentalists
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Andrew Baroch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 29 March, 2023)
Good advice for daily living in general. Why only magicians?
Bill S Kill
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Andrew Baroch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 29 March, 2023)
Got to be an easier way to get the needed bills.
Spook Crooks!
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Andrew Baroch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 29 March, 2023)
Who cares about corruption? A really well-written history of a sordid, criminal profession.
Coffee Break Mental Magic: Pet Readings for Mind-Readers
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Andrew Baroch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 29 March, 2023)
So so. Shows some thought.
PRIC: Propless Remote Instant Cartomancy
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Andrew Baroch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 29 March, 2023)
Boring, confusing.
Snap: A Treatise on Drawing Duplications
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Andrew Baroch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 29 March, 2023)
Hate it. Anybody can use stooges.
The Art of Body Loading and Productions
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Tim Schultz (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 28 March, 2023)
Very Nice publication. Well worth the price of the download. Thank you.