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Card Magic USA (ebook) compiled and edited by Peter Duffie.
Overlooked by Al Smith
Card Magic USA (ebook) compiled and edited by
Peter Duffie.
More than 280 Pages featuring a mix of 80 moves, routines ideas, hints and tips
and more.
Illustrated with photos and line drawings.
A collection of largely previously unpublished from more than umpteen (not quite
50, in fact) very active US card people. Plus a Bonus Section from some Past
Masters.
Available as a download from
Peter Duffie’s Alternative
Magic. £19.00 Sterling, $29.95 US.
Well,
what’s to say? Another card book? Yes indeed, I’m pleased to say. Peter Duffie
has long been a producer of stylish card stuff, usually his own. In recent times
he’s turned his hand to compiling and editing material from, well, all over the
place really. Not all cards, this is reflected in such titles as England Up
Close, Scotland Up Close, Mind Blasters, Miraculous Minds, to name not very
many. If you’ve seen any of these, you’ll know the quality he produces; and
you’ll want to dib in. Check out Peter’s website for a full list of the
contributors; there’s too many to list here. Just a few of the big hitters,
sampled at random are:
Lee Asher, John Bannon, Steve Beam, John B. Born, Steve Bryant , Jack Carpenter,
Steve Draun, Steve Dusheck, Steve Ehlers, Cameron Francis, JK Hartman, Harry
Lorayne, Bill Malone, Max Maven, Jon Racherbaumer, Steve Reynolds, Harvey
Rosenthal, Michael Weber.
The Past Masters Bonus Section features Gene Maze, Frank Thompson,
Michael Skinner, Paul Swinford and Roger Klause.
A blow by blow account of the routines is beyond the scope of this overview and
would not be overly productive. Even it was possible, just reading a few
effect-descriptions would prove overwhelming.
There are some moves, but it’s not all sleights. Bob King makes good use of a
thick card in an ace cutting routine and Steve Dusheck offers an interesting
take on the Svengali deck. Hardly cutting edge card wizardry, some might think,
have a look and have a rethink. But if you do want a workout, try Stevens’ Aces,
by Steve Ehlers. Less exhausting is a Michael Skinner ace production which makes
subtle use of Vernon’s Cold Deck Cut.
Somewhere in between is an idea of Harry Lorayne’s, which is very good, as we
might expect, but the real bonuses are descriptions of the Lorayne Spread
Control and the Lorayne Force. Hardly new moves, but it’s surprising
(or perhaps not) how many people aren’t familiar with them. Even folk with
Harry’s books on their shelves. I’ve seen Ricky Jay use the Spread Control
in the long ago (likely he still uses it) and according to Mister Lorayne
(in Apocalypse) the move fooled John Scarne. He thought it was the
Zingone Spread, which is something else altogether.
Suffice to say that Card Magic USA is a varied mix. I nearly said
eclectic, but that’s a word that’s been flogged to death. But it would fit here!
I like it, but then I like cards, which for some is proof of some sort
brain-sickness. What do they know. Well done Peter. And well done to the US
Cardmanics. Check it now, while you’re still logged on.
© A E Smith, January 2011