No comments about Tricks to Freak Out Your Friends.

5 comments about Self-Working Close-Up Card Magic: 56 Foolproof Tricks.

1. Having had no magic creating experience, it amazed me how with the clear illustrated instructions in this book, I could within a very short time have over a dozen card tricks at my command..now I've ordered Fulves' other "Self-Working" books to expand my ability to entertain and amaze others! It's really fun!



2. The tricks in this book are not totally self working. You have to remember a lot and tell people what to do.



3. This book, along with all the other Fulves Self-Working series are full of really great magic that can be done without years of practice. That however, doesn't mean no practice. As with any presentation before an audience, attention to instructions and good audience management are essential. This means that, just like an actor in a play, the magician-to-be must know exactly what to do and when to do it, what to say and when to say it. This requires several run-throughs with no audience. (Sound like practice to me!!) I think that 'self-working' in the title means that you can do the effects without working on sleights for several months/years before you can do anything magical. This material can be presented after a few hours practice!



4. I got this because the other reviews said how good it was, but i opened it and gave up almost immediatly. The instructions are difficult to follow.



5. Karl Fulves has been putting out these kinds of books for what seems like an eternity. They are good books for kids and even a skilled performer can pull some good material from these books.
   
   [...]

1 comments about Martin Gardner's Table Magic.

1. This book has excerpted material also found in Gardner's mammoth "Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic," and the material, as the title suggests, is limited to items performable in an after-dinner setting. This is the sort of magic, when one produces seemingly off-the-cuff miracles, that helped great magicians, such as Alexander Herrmann, Max Malini, Nate Leipzig and Dai Vernon become legends. For if you can do magic any time, anywhere, with anything, then the magic is not in the props, but in YOU!

   The most recent person to take advantage of the power of seemingly casual magic is, of course, David Blaine. He has created the illusion that magic happens wherever he goes. And David Blaine is the magician foremost in the public's mind.

   Do not be put off by the apparent simplicity of these magic tricks. Done well, at the right moment, they are reputation-makers. Gardner has a knack for finding excellent yet simple material. This simplicity is usually only achieved by rank beginners and hardened professionals. In this book, it can be yours.

   Just one thing: show the author the respect he deserves, and rehearse these well and perform them excellently.

5 comments about The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Card & Magic Tricks.

1. This is by far one of the most comprehensive books on magic I have seen. I have been a magician for nearly ten years now, and I still find use for this versatile manual of magic. It has everything from card and rope magic, to amazing parlour tricks!!! If you are beginning in magic or are just looking for a new resource for your repetior, you will find what you need to spice up your act in this book. I love the book and would recommend to anybody!



2. This book is great for those wanting to learn easy to moderately difficult card and magic tricks.



3. This book is an excellent guide to those who wish to put on magic shows or just make friends ask you, "how the heck did you do that". While some of the props you have to make yourself, most of these tricks can be done with everyday objects. It also allows you to add your own creativity to the tricks. A great book!



4. I am an amateur magicican and I must say this book is lousy at best. This is definately a book that you should judge by its title. (it is actually quite small barely fitting in your hand). As the latter suggests, it is quite difficult to hold on to this book since its really so small in size. As far as the contents, the book does not contain any useful slights. In addition, the tricks are not explained in a whole lot of detail and the pictures don't help at all either. I did learn some tricks which were quite good, but it took considerable time to learn based on the nature of the book. Do yourself a favor and buy Mark Wilson's Complete course in magic.



5. I think this book is the best! It has everything including slight-of-hand maneuvers and a great deal of card tricks! I would recomened getting this book. Even after four and a half years of being a magician, this book was still useful. GET THIS BOOK

1 comments about Magical Techniques.

1. Draja Mickaharic has come out with a new book. I have spent the last week checking it out and I have found it a fascinating tome. Like everything else he writes, this is a book that is short on hyperbole and long on practical recipes.

   In previous books Draja Mickaharic, an eastern European magician who has long lived in New York, has published titles on various aspects of practical magic from the various cultures with which he has rubbed shoulders in the Big Apple. He has written on practical European magic, hoodoo, and his own brand of both kitchen magic and necromancy.
   Everything bears the mark of his no-frills practical nature. In this book he draws a lot on Afro-Cuban, especially Palo traditions.

   These magical practices and recipes, he will be quick to point out, are the kind of things one learns from haunting botanicas for years and having beer or coffee with paleros and root workers, not the sort of material that comes from initiation. That being said, it is well worth the read.

2 comments about Card College, Vol. 1: A Complete Course in Sleight-of-Hand Card Magic.

1. This series of books (there are now 5 volumes) provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of everything a card conjurer should know.
   
   What I wonder is why hardcore magic books are so difficult to find? Amazon does not even offer this book, which IS in print. Booksellers are offering USED copies of the book -- at HIGHER than retail price! I don't get it! This book, as well as the others in the series, is available at many magic book websites. I recommend PenguinMagic.com, where you can purchase the book at slightly less than the $32 retail price.
   
   If considering the book, buy it. Topics include:
   The Tools of Card Magic
   Fundamental Techniques
   The Overhand Shuffle
   Card Controls
   The Glide
   The Spread Cull
   The Double Lift
   Flourishes
   and many, many more. It also includes many tricks based on the techniques. The tricks are carefully selected and surprisingly good. In fact, most of the tricks I've only been able to find in this book.
   
   Well written, well researched, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED



2. thats what the gentleman at the magic store told me when i bought this book. i looked at him like, "yeah, sure it will." Well, IT DID. this series of books, especially volumes 1 and 2, are the best magic books out there. Starting from square one, Mr. Giobbi gradually walks you through the fundementals of magic. Every so often giving the reader effects to learn using these new techniques.
   
   Simply stated, if you want to learn magic...buy this book! You wont be disappointed! But remember, magic isn't easy. Be sure to practice, practice, practice!

No comments about Science Magic Tricks.

2 comments about How to Become a Ventriloquist (Try Your Hand at Ventriloquism).

1. Edgar Bergen takes us on a personal voyage through his world and beyond, Ventriloquism. Bergen tells us "there is no deep, dark mystery about Ventriloquism" and exposes the secrets and Illusions of Near and Distant Ventriloquism, figure making as well as the start of his showbiz companion Charlie McCarthy. A book well worth reading and a history worth knowing.



2. For about five bucks you can't go wrong. It has some useful tips on ventriloquism for beginners, but there's not a lot of info in this book. I would suggest picking up something else in addition to this book.

1 comments about Self-Working Handkerchief Magic: 61 Foolproof Tricks.

1. If you see a book written by Karl Fulves on magic that has the words Self-Working in the title then buy it. There is a wealth of knowledge in each of these books. -Diamond Jim Tyler

4 comments about Ultimate Street Magic: Amazing Tricks for the Urban Magician.

1. I bought this book for my 16 yr old who is into magic. He loves it! Lots of pictures. Very entertaining.



2. There are a few good tricks in this book, but not enough to justify its cost. Most of the effort in producing this book seems to have gone into the presentation, which is slick and glossy, but adds nothing to the book's ability to teach magic.



3. Ordered this book as a gift for my husband. He recently started learning card tricks. I thought this book would have more entertaining tricks for him to learn, but overall he wasn't impressed with it. It's mostly simple parlor tricks and would be best suited for teens or children.



4. This book is awful, the tricks suck, and he doesn't even show them at a good angle..I wouldn't even recommend this for a beginner, I would definately recommend Paul Zenon, he's much better and takes better angled shots