Magic Tricks

I remember the feeling, years ago, when I bought The Books of Wonder. It was as if one of magic’s greatest thinkers and performers had opened his brain for his readers. On reading I realized that he had not only opened his brain but his heart as well.
This, on a much larger scale, is what I felt when a very large package arrived at my door. The package contained the long-awaited set on the magic of Johnny Thompson. I make no claim to have read everything yet, much less worked through all of the material, but I know that this book not only contains gold, it is gold.
Every once in a while, a book or set of books comes along that is destined to be a treasure for years to come. This set is the epitome of such treasure. It opens with “The Gambler’s Ballad” which I had the honor of seeing Mr. Thompson perform years ago for a small, select group attending a “Card Clinic.” It was real magic! Seeing the piece written out and fully explained is an unbelievable gift to our community. Gold.
The books were written by both Thompson and Jamy Ian Swiss. Mr. Swiss is, in my opinion one of the finest writers in magic, both technically as well as stylistically. The photos are crystal clear and show exactly what is needed (as far as I have looked and I have no reason to doubt that this is true of the entire book). The set is beautifully produced for those of us who care about the aesthetics as well as the content of our books. They have been autographed by both Mr. Thompson as well as his character, “The Great Thompsoni.” They are housed in a beautiful case fitting for such wonderful words. Gold.
Inside, the reader will find magic. Not just tricks, and certainly not tricks that have been “invented” yesterday, tried out last night, and videotaped this morning. These are genuine pieces that have been worked on by the finest minds in magic (Vernon, Elmsley, Marlo, etc.). They are not “miracles” that have never seen the light of day, but workhorses that have been performed thousands of times until every small rough edge has been sanded off. Gold.
I purchased these as soon as the publisher began taking money for them. I was afraid that by the time they were published the set would be sold out. You have the opportunity to get them now. A lifetime of work shared by one of magic’s greats. I advise you to sell whatever you can and buy these books. They will teach you more that the last fifty DVDs and instant downloads. Working through them will give you a goal not for a week or two, but for your life.
The same chant that St. Augustine heard two thousand years ago should ring in your ears: Tolle Lege (take up and read). You will never look at magic the same way again.