Another fine review. I agree with your choices as per your own definition of the topic. It is always difficult to please everyone, and the comments below reflect many different interests in the field. Karr has done a great job compiling and making such books available. Now if only he would finish the one on Erdnase.
Glad to say I have three of the five; sounds like I'd better start saving to pick up the last two. Also, I noticed that when you're panning up on your shelves the Goshman book "Magic by Gosh" comes before Giobbi's "Card College" series. You seem like a pretty meticulous guy so I thought you'd want to know! 😀
Interesting list - I'd add the following books to my list: The Magic of Johnny Thompson, The Books of Wonder, Complete Works of Derek Dingle, The Uncanny Scot, and In Concert
How about the Art of Astonishment trilogy? I know,(and am glad), Paul is still around, creates, and had contributors. But covering over 3 decades of material and all the essays are a good reflection of the magic life of Paul Harris.
It's a set I considered, but I specifically ruled it out in my own head because so much of it is contributions from friends, and it includes no biographical information. Don't get me wrong, I love it as a close-up magic set! But I don't know that it hits the criteria I was looking for. Still, a great suggestion!
Thank you! The older the book, the more people already have it. I don't know how well it would sell at this point, especially with as expensive as it is 🤷🏻
I agree with your selections and I am sure it’s always difficult to narrow such a wealth of material to only five. I have a collection of the actual Tannin’s bound JINX!
Terrific video, Jeff. What are your thoughts on the trade-off between studying modern technique vs (maybe outdated? ) technique of old masters. Should be studying legacy works after a thorough study of modern treatment ?
Great question! I'm not sure I agree that there is a trade-off. Yes, techniques hopefully continue to improve. However, we are still using the same basic method for ACR. 🤷🏻 I think there's way more to be gained by studying a lifetime of magic than just the latest and greatest. However, I would never argue one to the exclusion of the other. If I were to recommend an order, it would be the opposite of what you asked. I would recommend studying the older sources first to gain and appreciation for the history and foundation of magic, then study more nuanced approaches to specific sleights.
This reminded me of an interview I heard with Roberto Giobbi. He was saying that he thought Card College was better than Royal Road to Card Magic and that it wasn't him being cocky, just that there had been so many improvements since the time that Royal Road was published.
One that I wish was more extensive is Bert Allerton's The Close Up Magician. I appreciate Robert Parish’s work however it would have been great if Allerton had lived to participate.
I don't own that one, but I looked at buying it. However, I did not since his advice section is the shortest section of the book. Most of the text is dedicated to teaching his routines. That's great, but I don't think it falls completely into the bucket I was looking for in this video.
I mentioned these in the live chat, but two of my favorites are the Derek Dingle and David Roth books. I've only recently acquired the Dingle book, but I've found quite a few routines I plan to study. I am definitely a card guy, but I've been learning coins as a challenge to myself. The only two coin routines I've felt comfortably enough to perform for people have been from the Roth book. I've also been playing around quite a bit with the okito box section. An honorable mention would go to Dr. Michael Rubenstein's book. I haven't studied it as much as the Roth book yet, but it is a gorgeous book and has a ton of material. Does Card College count? If so, put that one on top of my list. I'll use this as another opportunity to press you to pull some strings at VI and get them to publish a big book from Bill Goodwin. There is literally a minimum of one person DEMANDING this becomes a reality!
Unfortunately, Card College does not count. It's not the work of one individual with their life story, it's an encyclopedia of card moves and tricks. The Dingle and Roth books are good, but they don't really share much of their life and story. I feel like they fall into the traditional magic book category.
@@EruditeMagic I was looking at the topic as a single book encompassing the life's work of a magician, which is why I chose those. I know CC is a stretch, but I once heard it described as not a complete encyclopedia of card magic, but a book that contains all of the tools that Giobbi uses as part of his work.
@@i_am_nishu Winged Silver and Hanging Coins. I do the On Edge variant of Winged Silver. I'm currently working on Roth's Wild Coin One from Coinmagic. My teenaged stepdaughter is completely unimpressed by magic, so I use her for feedback on new routines before I perform them for anybody else. Hanging Coins is pretty much the only magic trick she got excited about and asked to see it again, so we watched a David Roth performance on UA-cam together.
Great overview! That Annemann's Engima has been on my wishlist for awhile. Would you say it's worth getting if one already has the Max Abrams book? I'm sure there's overlap, but curious about differences, if anyone knows.
@@EruditeMagic I think that it is interesting you say that because I feel the opposite is true about these books. What is more valuable than the finished product is the journey and evolution of how a piece is developed. While most people will never perform his knife through coat routine or the “Oh chair” I found his process of refining a piece or problem solving to make a piece better was worth more than the tricks themselves. Rarely do people show this evolution and show the performers evolution of who they are now on stage and to me that’s gold🙂
I don't mean depth of thinking! I meant depth of material. They're worth considering on this list, but I did consider them and did not include them in my top five. That doesn't mean they're worthless, it just means they weren't in my top five
📕 Martin Lewis's Magnum Opus ▶ ua-cam.com/video/QzyYvNFPaYY/v-deo.html
Nice video and good question to consider.
Another fine review. I agree with your choices as per your own definition of the topic. It is always difficult to please everyone, and the comments below reflect many different interests in the field. Karr has done a great job compiling and making such books available. Now if only he would finish the one on Erdnase.
Thanks, Jim! Yeah, I hear you about the Erdnase book. A lot of people eagerly waiting on that one
Glad to say I have three of the five; sounds like I'd better start saving to pick up the last two. Also, I noticed that when you're panning up on your shelves the Goshman book "Magic by Gosh" comes before Giobbi's "Card College" series. You seem like a pretty meticulous guy so I thought you'd want to know! 😀
😄 what a catch - thanks! I know it was in the right spot at one point, but I must have put it back in the wrong spot 🤣
Some wonderful books. Magic at its best. Great review 😊💛😊👏👍👏🪄✨️🎩
Thanks, Robert! 👍
Interesting list - I'd add the following books to my list:
The Magic of Johnny Thompson, The Books of Wonder, Complete Works of Derek Dingle, The Uncanny Scot, and In Concert
Great list, Kevin!
I’m excited about this. Really love legacy books- always looking for Gold! Heard Benson by Starlight is one such golden legacy book ♥️
Hope you enjoy the episode!! 👍
How about the Art of Astonishment trilogy? I know,(and am glad), Paul is still around, creates, and had contributors. But covering over 3 decades of material and all the essays are a good reflection of the magic life of Paul Harris.
It's a set I considered, but I specifically ruled it out in my own head because so much of it is contributions from friends, and it includes no biographical information. Don't get me wrong, I love it as a close-up magic set! But I don't know that it hits the criteria I was looking for. Still, a great suggestion!
Awesome video! 😀 I don't understand why they don't print more Vernon books, there has to be a constant demand 🤔
Thank you! The older the book, the more people already have it. I don't know how well it would sell at this point, especially with as expensive as it is 🤷🏻
I agree with your selections and I am sure it’s always difficult to narrow such a wealth of material to only five. I have a collection of the actual Tannin’s bound JINX!
Those are awesome, Scott! I consider them some of my favorite reading when I'm feeling nostalgic
Didn't see my favorite magician set of books... The Books of Wonder by Tommy Wonder...the essays alone are worth the purchase
The essays are fabulous, as are the rest of the books
Great episode. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Since no one else has mentioned it, I will have to say the two volume set of Alex Elmsley. It's not all card magic by a long shot!
Great call!
Terrific video, Jeff. What are your thoughts on the trade-off between studying modern technique vs (maybe outdated? ) technique of old masters. Should be studying legacy works after a thorough study of modern treatment ?
Great question! I'm not sure I agree that there is a trade-off. Yes, techniques hopefully continue to improve. However, we are still using the same basic method for ACR. 🤷🏻 I think there's way more to be gained by studying a lifetime of magic than just the latest and greatest. However, I would never argue one to the exclusion of the other. If I were to recommend an order, it would be the opposite of what you asked. I would recommend studying the older sources first to gain and appreciation for the history and foundation of magic, then study more nuanced approaches to specific sleights.
This reminded me of an interview I heard with Roberto Giobbi. He was saying that he thought Card College was better than Royal Road to Card Magic and that it wasn't him being cocky, just that there had been so many improvements since the time that Royal Road was published.
I think the improvements would be in writing styles and technology to replicate drawings. The sleights themselves remained relatively unchanged, IMO
@@EruditeMagic The ghost of Ed Marlo may like to have a word with you...
I own no Marlo books, so send him along. I'd like a word with him, though I likely won't have time to get into all the derivative moves 😄
One that I wish was more extensive is Bert Allerton's The Close Up Magician. I appreciate Robert Parish’s work however it would have been great if Allerton had lived to participate.
That's always a plus when you can get first hand accounts of different stories, techniques, and history.
How about Scott Alexander’s (RIP) The Denny Book. The life and mgaic of Denny Haney
I don't own that one, but I looked at buying it. However, I did not since his advice section is the shortest section of the book. Most of the text is dedicated to teaching his routines. That's great, but I don't think it falls completely into the bucket I was looking for in this video.
Another great video.
Thanks!
I mentioned these in the live chat, but two of my favorites are the Derek Dingle and David Roth books.
I've only recently acquired the Dingle book, but I've found quite a few routines I plan to study.
I am definitely a card guy, but I've been learning coins as a challenge to myself. The only two coin routines I've felt comfortably enough to perform for people have been from the Roth book. I've also been playing around quite a bit with the okito box section.
An honorable mention would go to Dr. Michael Rubenstein's book. I haven't studied it as much as the Roth book yet, but it is a gorgeous book and has a ton of material.
Does Card College count? If so, put that one on top of my list.
I'll use this as another opportunity to press you to pull some strings at VI and get them to publish a big book from Bill Goodwin. There is literally a minimum of one person DEMANDING this becomes a reality!
Unfortunately, Card College does not count. It's not the work of one individual with their life story, it's an encyclopedia of card moves and tricks.
The Dingle and Roth books are good, but they don't really share much of their life and story. I feel like they fall into the traditional magic book category.
@@EruditeMagic I was looking at the topic as a single book encompassing the life's work of a magician, which is why I chose those. I know CC is a stretch, but I once heard it described as not a complete encyclopedia of card magic, but a book that contains all of the tools that Giobbi uses as part of his work.
Sure, that's reasonable!
Hey,what are the 2 coin routines that you perform from David roth's book ?
@@i_am_nishu Winged Silver and Hanging Coins. I do the On Edge variant of Winged Silver. I'm currently working on Roth's Wild Coin One from Coinmagic.
My teenaged stepdaughter is completely unimpressed by magic, so I use her for feedback on new routines before I perform them for anybody else. Hanging Coins is pretty much the only magic trick she got excited about and asked to see it again, so we watched a David Roth performance on UA-cam together.
Johnny Thompson Book
this to me is, I believe he gave you his I'm tired of life In a 2 volume set.
A reasonable suggestion!
My Kingdom for Harry Loraine's Apocalypse set.
It's fantastic! But, it's not all his work
Great overview! That Annemann's Engima has been on my wishlist for awhile. Would you say it's worth getting if one already has the Max Abrams book? I'm sure there's overlap, but curious about differences, if anyone knows.
Definitely! I have both, and I don't really care for the Abrams book. It's messy, not as well organized, not as beautiful, and not as much history.
@@EruditeMagic thanks for the input! I am very interested in the history/biography aspect, so it might be an early Christmas present, lol!
Hope you can make it happen. I love this book!! 😍
Did anyone mention the two volume Tommy Wonder set The Books of Magic yet?
One person did - great books!
Criminal that Caveny’s wonders/conference illusion isn’t even mentioned 😫
I love them - they're beautiful books with a lot of great magic, but I don't think they have the depth that some of these other books do 🤷🏻
@@EruditeMagic I think that it is interesting you say that because I feel the opposite is true about these books. What is more valuable than the finished product is the journey and evolution of how a piece is developed. While most people will never perform his knife through coat routine or the “Oh chair” I found his process of refining a piece or problem solving to make a piece better was worth more than the tricks themselves. Rarely do people show this evolution and show the performers evolution of who they are now on stage and to me that’s gold🙂
I don't mean depth of thinking! I meant depth of material. They're worth considering on this list, but I did consider them and did not include them in my top five. That doesn't mean they're worthless, it just means they weren't in my top five
@@EruditeMagicahhh this helps clarify. I misunderstood your definition/ premise here. Thanks for clarifying 👍
You bet - thanks for engaging in the discussion!
Me I’m a John Bannon fan, but I love the Dai Vernon biography as well.
Bannon has great output, but it's not all in one book 🤷🏻
@@EruditeMagic- some day it will be, hopefully, when/if he publishes Cardzilla.
@StoneColdMagic "Cardzilla is coming..."
@@EruditeMagic what do you know? Spill it!
😄 nothing, I promise!!
I feel as if the Johnny Thompson set belongs on this list.
Reasonable
I love all these books. I have Annemann’s book by Max Abrams. I’ve been told it has everything the Miracle Factory book has in it. Is this true?
It probably has all the tricks, but I don't care for the Abrams book 🤷🏻 The Enigma book has so much more around Annemann's history and correspondence
Thank you! I’ll have to get it. I love Magic history.
@srsplato you won't regret it!!
@@EruditeMagicI wish I could figure out what changed in UA-cam, it says I’m srsplato instead of Scott Smith.
A while back they issued handles to everyone, and I believe you can change it. You may have to search for where to do so, though
Has no one mentioned mind myth and magick by ta waters
You're the first!
What about bascom jones magick
An interesting suggestion!