Hey gang,

It has been years since I posted and years since I picked up the cards. I got into card magic about 10 years ago, got pretty good, and then work, family, and other obligations got in the way and my book collection gathered dust.

I'm back into the swing again, and would like everyone's recommendations of the best card related books (and DVD's although I prefer books) of the last 4-5 years. Things like Card College are pretty old by now, so wouldn't be in my list. What is the best new (or reissued) stuff.

Bill

Btw, I just ordered volume 4 of the Castle Notebooks.

Dorian Rhodell's Avenue is a wonderful DVD.

I know that it is not just cards, but Carneycopia is a good read. I'm also looking to pick up Aaron Fisher's the Paper Engine.

Puggo,

Carneycopia is a great book, but it is about 8 or 10 years old. I'm looking for more recent recommendations. but thanks! I don't know Paper Engine, I'll check that out.

Edit

If you haven't read John Bannon's "Dear Mr. Fantasy," that's the one I'd recommend. It's the book that got me re-interested in things again.

As for DVDs, if you aren't familiar with the Bucks' stuff, you could consider "Trilogy." You may not want to do any of the flourishes -- I don't -- but their card magic is quite elegantly done and the entire package represents a new style of card magic.

But really, the top recommendation is DMF.

Three books that have done it for me in the last five years are:

• Dear Mr. Fantasy, by John Bannon; RT @bugjack
• The Magicians Cookbook Ltd.; any book that includes tricks from Ackerman, Cummins, Dancy, Draun, Duffie, Hartman, Jay, Parker, Racherbaumer, Solomon and more can't be all bad.
• 52 Memories, by Andi Gladwin; this book, of Jack Parker's work, makes you smile at Jack's devious ingenuity, and sad that we lost him far too soon.

Ben Earle's Past Midnight, is terrific.

My two favourite books along with Stars of Magic which has just been reprinted!

Don't wait Mr Pugsley, get the Paper Engine from Aaron's website (very resonable price to UK) and it should come quickly too. I would also suggest Aaron Fisher Speaks DVD as he performs some of the material on the London tape (and in the book) but so much better it's scary!

Pit Hartling "Card Fictions"

Great book with only a few routines, but they are gold and you will use them!

David Regal's Approaching Magic is GOLDEN.

Past Midnight is very good.

The Trilogy WAS great but got old for me fast somehow. I do nothing from the DVDs.

Surfaced by Chad Nelson is a great buy.

Tangled Web, Eric Mead, a SIGNIFICANT release, focuses primarily on card magic and theory (but has other close-up items within as well). This changed my views on card work.

Dear Mr. Fantasy was the book I picked up this week when I decided to get back into magic, along with 5 points of magic which I've always wanted but was always out of print. Thanks for the other recommendations.

Dominatricks by Tyler Wilson and Enchantments by Wesley James are both excellent books, as is Approaching Magic already mentioned.

I forgot who made the video. But the one that I really like is called "seven".

Another vote for Dear Mr. Fantasy, and the two Card College Light(er) books are great, and easy material.

John Carney's The Book of Secrets, if you can find a copy.

The 2002 reprint/update of Frank Simon's classic Versatile Card Magic.

I was disappointed with Card College Light, a bit samey for me.

Book of Secrets is available from Carney Magic and definitely a great investment for anyone interested in learning the classic pass and palming – and outstanding magic!

Welcome back to the madness Bill!

Is there anything really "new" in magic? I'll second Dorian's "Avenue" DVD which has some awesome handling of some old sleights!

I don't know that I've ever heard anything derogatory about "Dear Mr. Fantasy"! It's one of the many still on the list of adds to my library!

If you're interested in gambling themed work James Swain has a great (IMO) 4 DVD set out called "Miracles"! "Fast Company" is another gambling 2 DVD set that I've learned a lot from!

Good luck in your quest,

MMc

Another vote for both Past Midnight - Benjamin Earl and Card Fictions - Pitt Hartling.

Simply Sidney by Syd Segal is great, too.

Dear Mr. Fantasy is great: everything in it is usable and most importantly, a lot of the material is impromptu.

If you want a journey through magic, check out Paul Harris's True Astonishments DVD set. It has a bunch of great material but also has a journey through performing and exploring the boundaries of magic.