I LOVE MAGIC BOOKS! If you love a good book of card tricks, coin magic, or other magical texts, you're going to love Sundays around here. Each week, Jeff will bring you a review, a hot tip, an interesting discussion, or a hidden gem from the conjuring world of books.
If there are specific things you want to see, don't hesitate to email or drop a comment in one of the videos! You'll find this channel to be friendly and interactive, so we're glad you stopped by. Enjoy the content, and be sure to spread the word!
I work for Vanishing Inc. as of October 2021 (which is public knowledge), but in case you didn't already know...now you do!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Jeff, Thank you for reviewing this book. It made me look back at my copy of Newspaper magic and realize how I need to learn more from Gene. I just ordered my copy of The Book from Gene and I cannot wait to start diving into it. So thank you for putting out your videos they have opened up so many new doors for me that I had not gone through. Nate
I think Card College can be defended by pointing out that it's about far more than teaching card sleights and tricks. It's about taking your art seriously and yourself seriously as an artist.
I simply love the content that you put out week after week. Most of the trick-of-the-day ads I get from the top magic dealers are really just a reworking of ideas and routines from past masters. If one simply aspires to be uncle Bob the Trickster then go ahead and keep purchasing the trick of the day. If the goal is to be a real magician, then no better investment than digging in to some of the works presented here.
I first heard of Al Baker in 1965 when my father gave me a copy of Greater Magic (in French). Baker became and still is my favorite magician although I have never seen him perform or even heard his voice. His creativity is without limits. I have tried to find films of him but never succeeded. Thanks for posting.
I am a Mamber of the Society of American Magicians Assembly #35 in Poughkeepsie, NY. It is the Al Baker Assembly! I never got to meet Al Baker but I was good friends with Jay Marshall and Walter b. Gibson. They talked often about Al Baker.
Thanks for the review! I’ve had both this and Annemann’s Enigma on my bucket list for awhile…seeing that they are both currently available I’ll ask the impossible question of if there is one you’d recommend more 😅
They are both awesome. Annemann's Enigma has the obvious draw that it's $100 cheaper. On the flip side of that, The Secret Ways of Al Baker has fewer copies available, most likely. 🤷 You can't go wrong with either!
Great as always! I've never owned one, but all the books from the miracle factory look so beautiful! Speaking of magic history, do you have a video on The Rich Cabinet Collection?
@@EruditeMagic I don't know too much about it, but from what I understand it's a huge collection of essays on magic history by a historian called Dr. Edwin A. Dawes. He's been writing for a magic magazine since the 70s, and now they've collected it in a number of volumes. It's not really for the average magician, but for people that are very interested in magic history (it's also very expensive). It's a project by Magicana 🙂 I thought it might interest you!
This is a fantastic book about an incredible performer and influence. Speaking as a mentalist, Al is sadly overlooked in that community these days. Thank you for highlighting such a great resource.
Wonderful book! In 2003 when it came out, I mentioned to Eugene Burger that I was contemplating buying another book. He said to buy the Baker book as it was full of excellent material. So glad I listened. By the way, Jay’s first marriage was to Al’s daughter Naomi.
@@EruditeMagic Hi Jeff.Could I ask a question about two books?Would you say Syzygy is a more modern version of Annemanns enigma?I’m looking for a modern mentalism book between the two.
One of the greatest single-creator collections of magic ever assembled. As far as the seasonality lesson goes: don't sell your books. You'll just end up buying them again!
@EruditeMagic do you have a video going over the benefits of having a 1st Edition/Print versus any other edition thereafter? If not I think it could make for an interesting topic.
I am really glad to learn that a new ''Greater Magic'' by Richard Kauffman is being prepared. I bought the original from a friend in 1965 and I still consult it. Thank you Erudite Magic, you always post great stuff.
I think card work card play by kostya kimlat should be featured. I met kostya and he is sooooo nice. He convinced me to buy his book and it is great for walk around magic. He also recommended fasdiu from Paul Cummins which is greay
This book is actually based off his you are all terrible lecture. Fun fact about that, the first time he gave the lecture and the last game he gave the lecture(this year) they were both at tannens magic camp. I was lucky enough to get to watch his last lecture this year at tannens camp. That’s the whole reason he wrote this book is because he stopped doing his lecture.
