I'm very interested in magic and perhaps even in performing in some capacity, but I have a physical disability that effects mine fine motor movement and thus precludes all but the simplest sleight of hand tricks. As such, I've been thinking about putting together a routine that consists of sleightless feats that would still impress audiences, and I'm curios what the best sources to find such material. I have the following:

* The Memory Book by Harry Lorayne - The techniques here combined with a few performance ideas from an interview I've seen of him would make some great stuff.

* Secrets of Mental Math by Arthur Benjamin - Impressive stuff, but I'm not sure I'll be able to do the *really* impressive stuff Benjamin does any time soon.

I also checked out Gardner's Mathematics, Magic and Mystery from the library a while ago, and just saw that a local used book shop has it for $4, so I'll probably pick it up.

My question is this: what books are considered classic for this sort of thing? Are there any particular routines or tricks from them you would recommend.

A quick addendum - please feel free to direct me to other threads, if something similar already exists. I'm new around here and haven't had a chance to peruse everything relevant.

Oh, I've also read Ian Rowland's Full Facts book of Cold Reading

I'd definitely suggest my book, MATHEMATICAL WIZARDRY, if you can locate a copy. And, there are SO MANY non-sleight-of-hand "miracles" scattered throughout my books. Best - HARRY LORAYNE.

And if anyone does locate a copy of *Mathematical Wizardry* see if you find TWO copies and let me know about the second one.

*jeep!
-Grandpa Chet

You can find it (and many other books by HL)in your local library.
they even exist here (outside of the US). After all the posts by HL on the book, I decided to pop a visit to my local library and there was a copy sitting, just waiting for me.

It might worth a try.

Is Mathematical Wizardry by Lorayne out of print?

I know someone who would be happily willing to part with his copy.

The same fellow has a VHS copy of Vol 10 of "Harry Lorayne's Best Ever," the volume which contains Lorayne's hour long memory performance. This fellow only watched the VHS tape once. He tried to watch it a second time with his wife in order to get her reaction, but she found it extremely boring and couldn't watch more than a very small portion of it.

PM me if you're interested.

Stan

Ha!

Mathematical Wizardry is a great read, and I hate math. Harry writes in a way that makes it fun to read!

I love Harry's math work.
Parson

But Stanalger's wife and friend would be bored to death - and he'd let you know about it, too!! HL.