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Jack Veteran user 371 Posts |
After my review of Mr. Hartman's 'Card Dupery' received positive feedback, including a private e-mail from the very private J.K. Hartman himself, I'm compelled to give it another go and review his latest and probably last book, 'Card Dodgery'.
'Card Dodgery' is hardbound and 283 pages, published by Vanishing Inc. Magic. The quality put into this book is exceptional. It's solid and surprisingly heavy considering its physical stature as it's not a big book by height and width. The paper quality is top notch and the inking is highly accurate and easy to read and the illustrations by Tony Dunn are outstanding and abundant when words may not be adequate enough to convey certain moments of performance. The pages are typeset with ample spacing between lines and a comfortable font and font size which allows for an easy read. The illustrations follow the paragraphs along their right side in that if one if mentioned, you don't have to look far at all to see it. That makes getting lost in learning the magic almost impossible. This is a very outstandingly laid out book. My copy even is signed by Mr. Hartman and not a stamp or part of the printing. It was done by pen and by J.K. himself! Wow, what a wonderful gesture and finishes my collection of his books perfectly. Thank You Mr. Hartman for that. I'm not sure if they all have it, you may want to verify before purchase. I bought mine from Vanishing Inc. Magic which they mentioned it having the autograph. Now for the magic. I don't think I'm going out on a limb here if I was to say this book is his best, I truly think it is. I don't mean in quantity as that would belong to 'Card Craft' or quality of magic since all his books have memorable magic in them. It's the methods and secrets and the abundance of special and new ones that set this book apart. The magic in here makes me wonder if some of them are ones that he'd purposely kept private throughout the years and finally allowed to be put in book form, this being his last. They are some of the most straight-lined routines I've ever read. If you were close your eyes and think of what a particular card illusion would look like if real magic were occurring, you'd find the methods explained here to accomplish it go neck and neck. There are no wasted or gratuitous subtleties here. All the tricks have a wonderful flow that is easy for the spectator to follow with nothing to see. It's not that the tricks are self-working, they're just very cleverly created and structured. I perform more from this one book than any other single book I own. 'Outjog Force' - This is a method of forcing a card that just may cause it to become your favorite of all methods. It is so clean an honest looking that I've already fried quite a few magic brains with it. The secret isn't new, but the use, presentation, and structure is. I would have bought the book for this one alone. 'I Think I.C.A.A.N.' - The routine Mr. Hartman created for this classic not only takes an easier method of accomplishing it to a practical level but also renders the dirty work virtually invisible. This trick is easy to do and brilliantly clever. 'Garden of Eaten' - This is in my opinion the best method of accomplishing Lin Searles's 'Cannibal Cards' classic theme. I will never perform it any other way. The method J.K. teaches could outrun the patter if you wanted it to. It is methodically perfect. 'Johns and Jills' - Here's another classic plot brought to the ultimate method of accomplishing. It's Lou Gallo's vision of the 'Hotel Mystery' illusion combined with a practical and very clean method. You'll love it. If Richard Kaufman has read this book I can see him saying "Well there you go!" 'Set-Two II' - Paul Harris's 'Reset' card illusion has been redone many times by many magicians. Wait till you learn this J.K. Hartman idea for accomplishing it. Remember that uncomfortable necessity that was always required towards the last part of the routine? Not anymore. A simple and natural action totally eliminates it and creates the ultimate version of the trick. 'Invisibull' - An invisible card constantly returns to a tiny packet of cards despite becoming visible each time and returned to the deck. This trick has a great surprise ending. By the way, there is no palming, this trick is quite easy to do, once again it's J.K. Hartman's brilliant arrangement and structuring. There are so many great tricks in here and I've barely scratched the surface, but I'm getting exhausted. So, let me end with this: 'Holey Grail' - Do you know that excellent version of C.A.A.N. called 'Grail' by Alakazam? In this version the envelope is opened by the spectator without any interaction necessary by the magician. J.K. also teaches a clever method of determining a certain something. If you've ever wanted to learn this trick, this is the definitive method. I can't say enough about 'Card Dodgery' though by now you may be in disagreement. The energy drink made me do it. Every card magic lover needs this book and none shall be disappointed. Very Highly Recommended |
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Peo Olsson Inner circle Stockholm, Sweden 3260 Posts |
Thanks Jack for that nice review. Im halfway through the book myself. I agree with you that the book is higly recommended.
Pictured to the left my hero and me during FISM 2006 in Stockholm.
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JanForster Inner circle Germany ... when not traveling... 4190 Posts |
Thanks for your great review! I' m still waiting for my book, but not too long as I ordered in the UK. Now I'm looking even more forward to it although I liked always Hartmann's direct and clean approaches. Jan
Jan Forster
www.janforster.de |
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Failed Magician Inner circle Still working on the DL even after made 2100 Posts |
Anyone else wants to contribute in reviewing this great book? I'm hoping to get a copy this very soon.
Magic comes through perception. -HS
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-08-12 03:00, Failed Magician wrote: Jack's review really sums it up and you are spared my eye-bleedingly long reviews I would add that J.K. Hartman - who I wish would send ME an e-mail - has some very high profile fans. Derek Dingle admired and used Mr. Hartman's work. Harry Lorayne was very exacting in determining what material to accept for both Apocalypse and his Best of Friends series and there are many Hartman gems in those books. I've maintained that J.K. Hartman is one of magic's best kept secrets - and that's a good and bad thing. For those who know his work, you know why I write this, for those that don't, pick up Card Dodgery and find out. Best, Vlad |
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Atom3339 Inner circle Spokane, WA 3242 Posts |
Failed, It is a treasure. Definitely pick it up,
TH
Occupy Your Dream |
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Failed Magician Inner circle Still working on the DL even after made 2100 Posts |
With this month's spending and this book, I'm trusting you guys with my marriage, no cross that actually lol. I'm trusting your honest opinion and expertise.
Magic comes through perception. -HS
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smullins Special user United States 678 Posts |
If you read this book and you aren't inspired to do something with the material inside... You need to read it again.
The book is excellent as with anything that has JKs name on it. |
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Robert P. Special user Kansas 632 Posts |
I keep stumbling across J. K. Hartman's name in here every once in a while and have always been interested in learning more about his material. Because of this thread I went searching and came across a new copy of Card Dupery on ebay that I snatched up. If I like it, I will set my sights on Card Dodgery next.
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-08-13 10:15, Robert P. wrote: RobertP, Card Dupery is a wonderful book and did quite well in the Café Book of Year voting in 2007. It takes a little work but you might want to give the effect "Back to Earth" a read. My discovery of his work came from reading journals and as I had written previously, in Derek Dingle's works as well Harry Lorayne's and others. For anyone interested in getting a taste of J.K. Hartman's work and you have Apocalypse, you will find some killers from him in there. Also the Best of Friends series contains quite a few gems. I wonder if a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo campaign could be initiated to get a reprint of CardCraft? The publisher of CardCraft is Richard Kaufman. I think I'll write him a letter asking about the possibility. Best, Vlad |
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Adam Wood Loyal user Ontario, Canada 225 Posts |
J.K. is one of my very favorite magical inventors and writers. I own his all of his publications from '91 to present ( always on the lookout for his other booklets and manuscripts) and must agree with Jack that this is indeed his best offering yet. And, if it is to be his last book, it is the "crown jewel" of a most magical literary career.
“The hard must become habit. The habit must become easy. The easy must become beautiful.” -Doug Henning
"Don't make magic impossible, make impossible magic!" - Adam PEACE, LOVE & MAGIC!!! |
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Failed Magician Inner circle Still working on the DL even after made 2100 Posts |
Apocalypse as in Lorayne's book?
Magic comes through perception. -HS
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Dr. JK Inner circle Sandusky, OH 1191 Posts |
Correct, Mr. Hartman published many items in Harry Lorayne's Apocalypse. As a matter of fact, Card Dupery includes an improved version of an already great effect called "One of a Mind" which was originally published in Apocalypse.
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Robert P. Special user Kansas 632 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-08-15 07:46, Vlad_77 wrote: Thanks, Vlad. Now that I have it I hope to read some of it this weekend. Things have been hectic lately, but it sure is nice to just unwind with a good magic book. Need to check his stuff out in Apocalypse as well, so much great stuff in there. |
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magicfish Inner circle 7004 Posts |
Finally picked up a brand new copy.
I am so excited. I have all of Mr. Hartman's books except for CardCraft. I love them all. I can't wait to sink my teeth into this book. |
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magicthree Special user 619 Posts |
Great book. My Favorites are- I Think I.CAAN-Trap Rap-Piano Forte-Difference Maker-Match and Mix-Simple Simon-Psi-Cycle-Holey Grail.
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Wordsworth Veteran user 324 Posts |
I was very close to getting this for Christmas this year, but overspent on a couple of other books. This one remains on my shortlist. Magicfish, hopefully you'll let us know what you think as you get into this one.
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carlyle Regular user 166 Posts |
Nice there's still some posts about this book - it's one I keep coming back to since I got it. A big fan of his "Pushunder Switch" and "Deeper Dupers", the second version - I think it's a great control/switch (and a single cut is all that's needed, if you don't need a force). Passed it over a bit on the first few readings, but came across Robin Robertson's "Double Duty Balducci" in a book by Aldo Colombini and came back to it - love the idea of both moves.
"Pull Pushers" is simple and fun and a great little trick. I've been using the "Deeper Duper's" idea for the selection, and using the face up cards to choose my four cards - one of my favourite tricks for a while. Has a logic to it, and the spectator can shuffle and the selection comes out reversed. Fun magic. And "Sleight of Handle" is another that I really like - fairly simple but quite a fun trick to do. The idea/plot is also simple, which seems to make the climax even better. |
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Wordsworth Veteran user 324 Posts |
I was under the impression that Dodgery was to be Hartman's last book, but apparently Vanishinginc has something in the works around his work. I'm not sure if it's a book, or some other type of product but it sounds like there's something new on the way.
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Tim Cavendish Inner circle 1404 Posts |
Each of Harry Lorayne's books since the early 1970s has supposedly been his last.
Not too unusual in magicland. |
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