When I noticed this item on Penguin, I purchased it immediately. While I have almost all of Bob
White's videos, having a printed reference helps me in reviewing material later.
Watching
him on the videos makes it easy to see why he is a legendary magician. All of his work reflects
long-term thinking and refinement, as well as a lifetime of performance. His smooth, natural
handling of cards, false transfers, or linking and unlinking renders his moves essentially
unnoticeable, even on replay. (Besides, when I pause or replay his videos, I imagine this ornery
Texan on screen getting increasingly impatient with me, wondering why he has to wait for such a
clumsy dullard.) So, this well-designed booklet is a welcome companion to the videos.
Whether or not I had access to his videos, I would have purchased these notes for the
stand-alone description and photographs of his Flash Double, and for his presentation of E.G.
Brown’s spelling trick. All the rest, including even his torn and restored tissue, constitute a
terrific bonus. As Jason Womack notes in the introduction, the work is based on uniformity of action
and economy of motion.
Two of his personal notes struck me as especially good advice for
anyone who might read this material:
“The thought often occurs to me how much effort I
spent in my formative years practicing esoteric sleights and skillful novelties…. For the most part,
my time and practice was wasted…. I made the serious mistake of trying to learn everything and
mastering nothing.”
“At no time should the spectators be made to feel foolish. The audience
should leave each of your performances feeling better about themselves and you.”
Personally, I appreciate Jared Kopf’s efforts over a decade in producing Bob White’s materials
for public study, and in this instance Jason Womack as well for writing such clear and precise
descriptions of the work.
An outstanding reference
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