Reviews: Read What Others Are Saying: page 34
224 ★★★★★ reviews
157 ★★★★★ reviews
100 ★★★★★ reviews
141 ★★★★★ reviews
Tic Tac Toe Top Secret
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 06 September, 2022)
Nice idea. It seems like the stunt where a number on a grid is circled. All the others in that row and column are crossed out. It is repeated until only 4 numbers remain. A 1-16 grid will always add to 34. I don't like the process even though spectators do have 4 choices each step. It is like the T.V. tricks David Copperfield performed years ago where people touched the T.V. screen. It may go well with a memory trick or add a number routine. If you do it make a cue list. Slightly recommend.
Newspaper Trick
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Todd E Nice (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 06 September, 2022)
The pictures in this download are a bit out of focus and a little hard to work out, but great effect.
The Mati Envelope
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 05 September, 2022)
Ingenious method. The last greatest concept involved carbonless paper and clear plastic clipboard that was used in the 1980's. But since then most impression or peeks used very special and expensive gimmicks or fishy behavior. Docc Hilford's Dance of Shiva book cost $45. Devin Knight's Devin-ation was $20. Both great. But this is easier and priced right. September this year I bought coin envelopes for about $40 for 500 at OfficeMax. It was for playing card effects but I have a ton to work with. It will take 15 minutes to make. Get 4 and you can make 2 at the same time which saves time. If one didn't work out the 2nd will. Both mine worked and I can't make anything. Recommended especially for part-time professionals. For amateurs in a home setting just stick with your usual methods. As stated, you may have glue sticks and rubber cement, but add the envelopes and you just spent $50 including instruction price. This is not a money maker for amateur magicians.
Clear Perception
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 03 September, 2022)
Devious idea. Numbers r us is my favorite. Sort of a variation of Room Service or Meir Yedid's Predict perfect instead random 3-digit numbers are chosen and random digits are called out instead of having 9 cards chosen. That speeds up the process. Plus-there is a mind-reading part also. The one using photos and songs are also winners. I am worried about doing the music version on Youtube may end up deleted for copyright violation. The pictures are not too bad as long as you don't sell them. Getty images are 1 source. Highly recommended. The price is better than the $25 to $34 for the imp pad and Mati envelope. I will get those but not yet. Easy to make. Not all Office Max may carry.
Improved Devil's Newspaper
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 31 August, 2022)
Most magicians know the hanging load method to produce a dove from a really empty shoebox. The trick is very deceptive. This shows how to make it using very common items. I bet 95% of everyone has the 2 items not mentioned. The shoebox idea I mentioned could be a vanish. Reproduce a duplicate item from paper. I do not think the paper should be used as a vanish. It is too flimsy. Drawing attention to it and having to eventually get rid of it. I could put it in the shoebox and put the lid on after using both. Vanish coke can in box. Remove lid. Show both sides. Reproduce from paper. Put paper in box. Can is empty because of weight. Must switch can. Highly recommended.
Envelopology Part 2
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 31 August, 2022)
This contains a partial excerpt of part 1. If the first costs $15 and the 2nd also teaches the same but also a bonus routine and you have part 1, then you are basically paying for the extra routine. If part 2 was cheaper, then part 1 would be overpriced. It's impossible to price this fairly. You could have a used printed version bought years ago. No records exist of your ownership. That is where I disagree on partial discounts if you downloaded the first book. I only slightly recommend this as the bonus routine is not as quick and direct as I would like.
Envelopology Part 1
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 31 August, 2022)
Nice. It takes concentration reading it to see exactly what is happening as the book is long. Reading on a phone is not good. I think a peek envelope is better than a switching envelope. He does teach the double back window envelope excellent for a full surface peek. Highly recommend. Mark Leveridge envelope dvd would be the only next step. After that give up on envelopes. Really. Why spend $500 to learn all envelope gimmicks if you only use 3 or 4. Maybe 2 peek methods, and 2 switching methods and 2 ways to secretly remove the contents. That is all you need. This book is recommended mainly for the peek.
Manosutra
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 31 August, 2022)
A force I was not familiar with. I prefer not using last letters. The 3 force cards could be marked and a label cue list put under a hinged lid of a case to hold the cards. There are a lot of options. At $6 introductory price it is good. I do not think $12 would be since Annemann's book 202 Methods of forcing is about $8 in print form. The 3/5 force Max Maven is obsessed with also uses the same number of cards and only has a 2-way out. Not 3 outcomes. But a professional mentalist could use it. They probably already know it. Recommended but not strongly.
Shared Secrets
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 30 August, 2022)
Last 2 are well known to magicians. But the number force is brilliant. Even works with newspapers but the number is only 2 digits. Most teen magazines apply. You can do the old pin-up posters vanishing from an envelope and the chosen celebrity appears in a picture frame. The forced number can use a list of people. I highly recommend the force alone for $6.
Balls
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 30 August, 2022)
Method has been used since the 1950's. It was even in a Linking Ring magazine back then. But magicians usually don't use published methods. However, it is easy and can really work well. Sometimes we have to buy tricks separate to realize the potential. It is a stage trick. You need a tray and hanging box. That is weird in a home. Schools, churches, night clubs. Easy and cheap to put together. Recommended.
Manosutra
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Sean Hoade (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 26 August, 2022)
I really like The Unknown Mentalist's stuff and must have purchased and performed a half-dozen of his effects, but this one is going to the "369” force one too many times. It's getting a bit stale, to be honest, after some of the nice effects based on it in his earlier work.
Also, there are just two many math steps the spectator has to perform -- adding, counting, and other operations which certainly aren't difficult in themselves, but one slip-up on their part and the whole effect falls apart.
From Nothing
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 25 August, 2022)
Ingenious. Most magicians have that gimmick. Nothing to make. Highly recommended.
Bolivian Brain Bafflers
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Michael Nowak (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 25 August, 2022)
This has proved to be a particularly difficult piece of literature to obtain and therefore I am delighted to have found it at the Lybrary here, and at such a reasonable price.
Impossible Motorcycle Appearance
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 22 August, 2022)
Like a Rand Woodbury idea. No tips like using veneer sheets so paint don't need to be sanded off between shows. Type of wood used or how to mount the cycle so it can't fall over and break a leg. Even how to move it unseen. May work for professional magicians who know about this. Andrew Mayne has more workable ideas. I give 3 stars just because it is usable to some degree. He needs 1 whole page detailing the construction of the blocks like wheels and the nesting idea. The screen needs more detail too.
Bottle in Bottle
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 22 August, 2022)
Nice idea. Almost impromptu. I would rather buy a bottle cutter at Hobby Lobby for $20 and glass glue to really put a bottle in a bottle. Then fill the larger bottle with coke. It will hide the reality and sound. Use a latex coke bottle for vanish. I can use this for friends but my idea is t.v. special strong. Recommended for those looking for something new and a little weird.
"Almost" Impromptu Vanishing Car
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 22 August, 2022)
Very similar to the trick where the magician vanishes from a borrowed cellphone picture. It could work. I did some tricks using a device that sends TV images to other TVs to use pre-recorded images on a TV. Easily worth the price.
The Great Apple Heist
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Now, this is definitely highly recommended. This is one of Devin's better books. The Apple and candy versions are great. l love the gift bag idea for the kids as it makes it easy to see who has the same amount of candy. The magician does not hide anything. It is an odd and even math trick that goes back to the 1700s that I know of. Like The Problem in Gotham or multiplying card trick or Paul Harris paperclip paradox where they disappear. Those work themselves. Not this. You must give instructions. But so easy. I do recommend leaving a cue card nearby to help when first learning who goes next.
The Aura Effect
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Nice little ideas. I do not do spiritual-type mentalism so I cannot say I can pull it off. All I can say is to try it out.
The Mysteries of the Seance
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Most of the stuff I already knew. But very educational. The chemical writing and spirit photos are the best. Yes - some chemicals can still be ordered from online markets. Recommended especially if you want something for newspaper publicity.
Dark Matter Secrets: 80 Years of Spooky Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Could have left out the magic mummy ideas. It's a cheap toy. Otherwise, with over 400 pages there will be at least a dozen tricks I guarantee you will do. Thurston's spirit cabinet, knit picker, rising broom, Sorcar's flying carpet, impromptu devil Hank, devil production box, knife thru thumb, Grant's magic mirror and spirit knot tying, and It floats are the most creative ideas inside and besides the flying carpet using black art and fake legs. Everyone I named I will do. It does not need a creepy feel if you do not like that. Highly recommended.
Annotated Secret Professional Pseudo-Hypnotic Methods
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Good stunts. Some use stooge. The flower trick uses a chemical not available to anyone but surgeons. That is why I gave it 3 stars. If he had other chemical methods. Same with animal hypnosis.
Zenith Spirit Manifestation
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
It is only $3 for a reason. Nobody will do this stunt. It's like sneaking drugs into a jail. There are better chemical tricks.
The Unknown Silence
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Took forever to get the page on my phone. Great idea. Too confused as to why so many letters or words are used for the changing effect. I do not understand it. This should be a video download. But the effect sounds good. How many people have candles out anyway? Should I carry small candles to give away? A lighter is easier. That is the main reason I could not give a higher rating. The red and black letters don't even show up on my phone easy. I do not have a computer or WI-Fi in my area. So I am extremely limited in what I can explore. Why I prefer actual books. They don't freeze up or disappear when my signal goes out. I never get more than 2 bars.
Unbroken
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Long routine. Flash paper and friction pen are needed. Other than that-5 common methods are explained. Great for Halloween or home shows. Professionals can use it. Recommended.
The Uncanny Rising and Floating Iron Bar
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Don Jarrard (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 21 August, 2022)
Another trick where something actually happens. Not all his books are dumb. This could be a real winner at a real show. Do not carry a 4-foot pipe for street magic.