If there were such a thing as a magic underground in the UK, this book would be its bible. Authored by two mysterious card experts, Justin Higham and Roger Crosthwaite, this book represents some of the best card magic talent in the UK from the 1990's.
This considerably underrated, large hardback book contains modern, cutting edge magic that was certainly ahead of its time. Contributors include Jack Avis, Gordon Bruce, Peter Duffie, Cy Endfield, Trevor Lewis, Simon Lovell, Edward Marlo, Chris Power, Roy Walton, Herb Zarrow and many others.
There is so much to shout about with this book. Gordon Bruce's handling of Elmsley's Between the Palms is fantastic, David Carre is rarely seen in print, yet his magic is phenomenal. The work on Think A Card is fantastic ... and that's just for starters! The book contains 75 tricks, over 90 original sleights and subtleties, nearly 260 illustrations and over 30 photos.
If you haven't studied this book yet, you're in for a treat!
The Effect
Well - Its a reference book more than anything else!!
The blurb is as follows:
Roger's Thesaurus By Roger Crosthwaite
"I admire your work with the pasteboards very much " Edward Marlo "Light years ahead of its time. " Justin Higham Including underground material never before released, previously known only to the hard core inner circle of London's card magicians!
Topnotch card material from some of the world's best magicians, including Jack Avis, Gordon Bruce, Peter Duffie, Cy Endfield, Trevor Lewis, Simon Lovell, Edward Marlo, Chris Power, Roy Walton, Herb Zarrow and many others. Hardbound, 256 pages, 75 tricks, over 90 original sleights and subtleties, nearly 260 illustrations, over 30 photos, twocolor dust wrapper, and printed on acid free paper to last a lifetime
Cost
£30 - £40
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
3/4
Review
OKEY DOKEY - Firstly, I am a HUGE Roger fan and bought this as a result of seeing his 'Tribute to Farrelli' Lecture! So this review may be sleightly (sic) biased!! However if you have not had the opportunity to see the guy performing the art he is sooo passionate about and enjoy great 'clean' card magic please try.
Right - on with the review.
There are numerous routines described in detail with illustrations and patter provided. these are not for the faint hearted though as a series of quite complex sleights are called for.
There is a whole chapter dedicated to the Think a Card trick with alot of reference to the Gaze force/selection. Each Chapter has content from some of the worlds leading Pasteboard Magicians. In addition to the numerous routines and tricks/effects taught is an appendix which very carefully lists soooo many sleights and different ways to do them.
If you want to learn a Second/Bottom Deal - buy this book
If you want to learn the Lateral Tenkai Palm/Cop - Buy this book
If you just want a selection of different sleights to add in to your routines - buy this book.
If you want a collection of Rogers/Justins work - buy this book!!
GET THE PICTURE!!
If you want an easy to master card tricks book - DO NOT BOTHER!!
I am using this book at the moment to get insight/help with the Lateral Tenkai Palm/Cop - It is the only resours I have found with it in. BUT - the fact that this can be used as a reference tool has also given me food for thought on a couple of other effects which I wanted to develop!!
As someone who loves cards and has time to read books I have found this invaluable and would recommend it!!
Overall
9/10 (Would be 10 but now that we have better photographic technology may be nice to see it revamped with photos - Please Roger !!)
For the advancing cardician this is a fantastic reference tool but be aware - like the Devils picture book this is not for the inexperienced!
