I tried a couple searches and the only place this came up was the "Book of the Year" threads for 2016 and 2017. I guess I will try to give a brief review and let others add their thoughts as / when needed. I am not a "seasoned book reviewer" but I will give it a start.

First off, I love the look of the book in general. It has a "leather" (real or not) spine and a different material around the front and back covers. Surprisingly, no dust jacket but I think a dust jacket would take away from the good looks of this book aesthetically. It reminds me a bit of the Alex Elmsley Books by the same author. In general, I like the looks BUT, I really do not like the way the pages are cut. If you lay it on it's spine and look at the pages, they look like the spiked tops of a picket fence. This gives me some minor difficulties turning the pages at times but it is the only "CON" I have with the whole book (and it is a minor "Con").

Now the Pro's. The book does "Look" very aesthetically pleasing which sets the standards kind of high for the contents. Fortunately, the contents live up to (and surpass) all expectations. Stephen Minch knows how to properly explain an effect and Tony Dunn is a fantastic illustrator who knows how to bring an effect on paper into life. The book contains 192 pages of mostly card and coin close up material. Of the sleights, I have seen a few people talking here and there about his alternative to the MCF called "The UNT Card Fold" A card is folded in 6ths right "under their noses". There is some really "out of the box thinking" like "the folded card color change" and "card in finger ring" along with some "in and out of the box work" on the Okito Box. I really liked the "Half Buck Torture Cell" as it can be played as bringing a big stage illusion to the close up table.

The cost is $65.00 most places. I have only seen it on the "used market" 2 or 3 times so I assume those who buy it like what they see and are keeping it. I was lucky enough to get it on a Penguin "Open Box" auction for $26 (so keep your eyes open, I have seen it there 3 or 4 times since). Although I do believe it is worth every penny of the retail price and consider it right in line with other "Magic Books" published in the last several years/decades.

Anyone that has something to add, feel free. I can't believe this has slipped under the radar for so long.

I picked this up when it came out but only got around to reading it recently. It is a beautiful book, which is admittedly why I bought it.

The material inside is great. I think part of why it hasn't gotten a lot of attention is that the stuff isn't super easy. You're going to have to focus and practice, and that means many casual performers are not going to like it.

I agree, wonderful book but pretty tough stuff.
Like poof daddy, I don’t like the way the sheets are cut. Of course it is on purpose to make it like a centuries old book. But it’s not very nice neither convenient.
Again, some wonderful ideas in it.

That's called a deckle edge. Read about it here.

https://themillions.com/2010/02/deckle-e......ion.html

Thank you for the reference, I didn’t know that technique.

I love the book so much, though frankly I doubt I will use any card material in the book cos they are somehow too out-of-the-box thinking.

BUT, there is an item I value so high that I doubt many readers will pass it as a 'joke'.

I won't name that effect cos it is a real gem that looks real magic. If you happen to know what I am talking about, try it. People (including magicians) will screa.

Alex Hui

Name it, maybe I missed it the first reading.

While I knew what a deckle edge book/page was, I didn't know the history. Very interesting.

His book is awsome!
I like the coin material a lot
From his card material I’d recomend his raising cards handlings, his version of Germain Twist and some other items that I don’t recall right now......before I forget, his force works flawless with lay people and magicians alike, just a matter of attitude
About the finish of the pages, I go back go Tannen’s asking if it’s anything wrong with it 🤦🏻‍♂️

I'm a fan of the coin box material -- great stuff there that not too many do! or at least that is the way I see it. so if you aren't doing coin box stuff don't start. Thanks ! But it is very cool.

I posted this in a recent "for sale" thread where a copy finally sold after several price drops and multiple listing but since it will auto delete in a day or so, I felt it worth mentioning here also.