Is there anyone who owns this book that is willing to give a review of it?

I've been waiting on a review of it as well. I downloaded the preview version of it from Dan and Dave's e-mail and it contains some things that do interest a card guy like me. I wish to read some reviews before I pull the trigger.

I recently purchased this in paperback form from my local magic shop and have spent a fair amount of time reading through all the material. I have not yet had a chance to work on more than a small handful of the ideas presented in the book, so this represents an initial assessment more than a detailed review. I’ll assume you’ve read the marketing blurb about this book (http://shop.dananddave.com/card-men.html) and that you are already familiar to some extent with the material and style of the Buck twins from either The Trilogy and And Then Some. Several items in Card Men reference moves directly out of those sets without re-teaching them, so owning one or both of those titles, while not necessary, will increase the value and enjoyment you derive from this new title.

The manuscript itself (not speaking about the digital download of course) is artfully constructed, if not exactly ‘durable’. In so far as it is soft bound, and composed entirely in black and white, there is a quality to this book that reminded me of the paperback version of The Card Magic of Paul LePaul - a comparison I’m sure the twins would welcome. Of the 24 items in the book, I would break down the material at a very high level as follows:

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UTILITY MOVES:

Fan Palm (a method for palming one or more cards from the top of the deck in the action of closing a fan)

Fancy Change (a method for taking a centered double and performing a color change as it is revolved onto the deck)

Murphy's Control (a flourishy method for controlling a card to the top of the deck. Not for the faint of heart or those weak index-fingered. You will need to know TG Murphy's deck flip from The Trilogy)

Secondly: (a quick and fluid method for the KM move)

Naap Change (a tabled color change which is vaguely reminiscent of the color change found in Swiss Made on The Trilogy)

Toss Palm (a method for tossing a card into the deck and secretly securing it in palm)

Pivot Change (a card sticking out of the deck changes as the deck is spun 180 degrees)

The C.C. Center by R. Paul Wilson (a method for controlling one or more cards during a riffle shuffle and waterfall. Several ideas are contributed with applications for center dealing; and impossible location style effects)


FLOURISHES

Buck Shot (a method to shoot a single playing card in the air from hand-to-hand)

Revvle (an embellishment for the overhand shuffle which causes the pulled-off packets to spin off the deck before settling into the left-hand)

Swirly (an embellishment of the riffle shuffle shuffle in which the top card of the shuffled pack spins 360 degrees as the halves are waterfalled together)


ROUTINES:

Hank's Triumph (a direct routining of the classic that references a shuffle taught in And Then Some. You will not be able to learn the necessary move from this manuscript)

Direct Message (a biddle-trick reminiscent effect without the biddle move or presentation. It will be helpful to know the DMB Spread Control from The Trilogy)

CardEx (a sandwich routine in which a selection travels to between two tabled court cards that have been in view since the beginning of the effect)

AdCopy (a comedic effect in which a playing card is isolated in the spectator's pocket. After failing to pick-the-pocket of the spectator, the magician produces the card by other magical means. When the spectator reaches for the card in their pocket, they find the magicians business card. Requires preparation.)

Take Me Home (a concept for a multi-phase card to box routine. Requires preparation.)

Peekaboo (a novel method of catching a glimpse, which can also be used to create an instant stooge. Weird, but strangely delightful.)

Body Double (a selected card is cleanly reversed in the center of the pack. The top card is removed and tabled face up. In the act of spreading the deck on the table, the two cards instantly transpose)

Triple Cask Triumph by Elliot Terral (a bluff triumph that you may need to read several times before understanding - I did. But once you do, the boldness of the method will astound you. I don't like Triumph routines generally, but I can’t wait to try this as a pure experiment in method.)

Kepplinger Prediction by Ricky Smith (a routine in which the performer feigns the existence and application of a holdout using only highly-advanced sleight of hand. I'll eat my hat if anyone ends up learning this routine and performing it but the idea is cute and at least makes for a breezy read. You'll need to know the diagonal palm shift, as well as a palm-to-palm type gesture to perform this)


MISCELLANEOUS

Magic or Real (a discussion with 4 accompanying sandwich methods which explore the idea of enhancing the 'magical moment' of an effect with flourishy moves that can pass as extraordinary demonstrations of skill. These ideas touch on some philosophical debates (i.e. Too Perfect) but there is no real recognition or discussion of that, which is a shame in my humble opinion.


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As you can see, there is a good diversity of material here, and fans of the Buck’s material should find plenty of ideas and moves to keep them busy for a while. The material has the visual, finger-flicky goodness for which they’ve come to be known.

On the downside, as is typical of the Buck's magic, the routines lean heavily to transposition and sandwich effects. Yet, for my money, their material feels compelling by virtue of the direct and visual handlings that they construct. The material in Card Men is no exception to that.

Speaking of the visual quality, obviously much of this material is knacky. With that in mind, I have found the lack of photo numbering, (or any photos whatsoever in some cases) to be a let down. I think that the idea was for readers to consume the photos together in a sequential bunch, as though dissecting a video in stills. That’s a nice concept, and it does work at times throughout the book, but there have been plenty of times already that I’ve found myself wishing for clearer visual reference points to accompany the methods.

I think the boys wanted it that way, because the procedure of reading; looking at photos; re-reading; re-looking at photos; etc. is what the old-fashioned process of reading a magic book is all about. Just be forewarned however, acquiring this material will not be as easy for some as it would have been on video. This will require an investment of time, mental energy, and likely, some frustration.

Also, some of the items (e.g. Take Me Home, Peekaboo) were described in such short-hand, that they almost qualify as ideas, more than full-fledged routines. While that certainly leaves room for readers to create their own handlings, my personal sense is that both these ideas will suffer the "buried in print" effect for lack of a more detailed handling.


CONCLUSION:

If you like the Buck twins and their previous card magic releases, and you are ready to invest time into acquiring tricky material from a book, then I cannot see you being disappointed with the purchase. However, if you are new to card magic, or not yet familiar with the work and moves of the Bucks, then this will likely not be the manuscript for you. I look forward to hearing other people's opinion abou this work, so get it; read it; and respond!

Great, review, thanks for posting it.

Thank you for the review!

Thank you for the review!

Can anyone comment on how triple cask triumph would work in a walk around situation? is there any reset? if so, how much? are there any gimmicks that need to brought in or out of play?
Thanks!

Triple Cask Triumph requires only one thing: boldness. There are no gimmicks, thus no reset, but this is not material for the feint of heart. I still can't believe this works, and although I haven't performed it for anyone, I have fooled myself in the mirror a few times with the first phase of the routine. Good luck!

Thanks shikina.

Just go for it. It's great, and it is bold, but no worries. I've performed it couple of times and the reactions were amazing.

Mike