I have just ordered this book, and fear I may have made a mistake, because after reading some of the threads, they say that you shouldn't buy this if you haven't already read any of his other books. Have I made a mistake? Will it take for granted that I already know the stack? Because I don't?

This is the first book I read from Aronson and it is great. You did not make a mistake and will not be disappointed. There is a fair amount of work that does not require use of the memorized deck.

Dave

Rest assured you did not make a mistake. This is a great book. Many of the effects in this book rely on his stack BUT do not rely on the memorization of this stack. The effects at the beginning of the book titled 'Undo Influence' are self-working astonishers. You'll like his stuff.
Ed

Yes!!! This is a great book. The Undo Influence section alone is worth the price of the book, but there are other fascinating things in there, too. This is the first book by Aronson I have read, and it makes me want to get his other ones, too. I don't know his (or any other) memorized deck, but if anything could make me want to learn it, this book could do that. You did NOT make a mistake.

I have read all of Aronson's Books, and this like all of the others is wonderful. As Hushai says, The Undo Influence is outstanding, this principle has so many applications, and you will probably fool yourself the first few times you play with it.

There is a section of memorized deck effects, but some of them just use the stack, and memorization is not necessary. The book also comes with a Joker, with the stack printed on the reverse.

If you like good quality card magic, I can't imagine you not liking it. It really is a goodie.

Iain.

Personnaly I really don't like the section on the stack cause it is a lot of spell variation effect wich are not interesting and that i can hardly do cause i'm french.
But that's right the section on undo influence is really great the routine on the ring and band is also good.

like Jemy, I disliked the spelling effects which just repeat themselves.
but the Undo influence is amazing. it is so NATURAL to do and yet so devious.
I was happy with the book after reading the first effect described!

Don't overlook Aronson's "flash speller"...great, great utility (especially if you ever perform things like "The Trick That Cannot Be Explained").

Paul

I would say that about 50% of the material or more is not spelling effects and strong material. Some of the spelling effects are really good too.

Dave

Simons FlashSpeller.... simple and great for impromptu jazzing, if that's your cup of tea (its not really mine but I love the thinking).
Undo Influence... incredible, and I look forward to future creations of this kind, I think(hope) we have only scratched the surface here. Prior Commitment is my favourite effect from this book though like most of this material I don't think it will be as fully appreciated by the lay audience as it will by magic creators and thinkers. Yes, the effects are repetetive(as Simon very openly says) but this book is not so much about expanding your repetoire as it is about doing the same for your love of this fabulous art and your appreciation for the true thinkers that elevate our artform beyond mere trickery and into the realm of the impossible. This is the kind of book that will stimulate the the thinkers in magic, and I for one cant wait to see what new creations come of this kind of insane devotion to discovery and exploration of the possibilities and impossibilities we can create with a deck of cards.

I have all of Aronson's books, know his stack, etc. The man is a genius who writes very clearly. Whether you ever learn the stack, his books still have plenty of material that you can use. Not every trick is for everybody. You probably would've done better to start with another, but it shouldn't matter too much. If you get a notion to learn the stack, get Bound to Please next. You'll be on your way to one of the strongest weapons any card afficionado can have in their arsenal.