I would recommend AOA over the Classic Magic of Larry Jennings. Sure, some of the stuff in there are pipe dreams, but, there is a multitude of useable stuff contained in the book. It is considered overrated the same way Michael Jordan is considered overrated. Plus, it is just so much fun to read.

Jake

Deinitely the James file but would have to add all 4 of Harry Lorayne's Apocalypse.
Rennie

Thanks Jake. I'll take a look at AOA if I can find it in some magic shop. The Classic Magic of Larry Jennings looks like one to consider. Does anyone know what RCT stand for? It's the title of a magic book.

Also does anyone know if the Collected Works of Alex Elmsley is a collection of card magic? Does it have other types of magic besides card magic?

What do you fellow magicians think about these magic books?

The Apocalypse Volumes
Paul Harris AoA #1-3
David Regal's Constant Fooling #1-2
David Regal's Close up & Personal
Sankey Unleashed
Tommy Wonder Book of Wonders
David Regal's Constant Fooling
David Regal's Close up & Personal
Jay Sankey's Sankey Pankey

Are there other magic books to consider that has lots of usable tricks & information? Greater Magic is OOP. Does anyone know if Greater Magic is going to be reprinted soon? Please feel free to post your recommendations and advice.

I have been really thinking about buying Harry Lorayne's Apocalypse. It seems like so many magicians really like this book. I'm going to have to take a serious look at Richard's Almanac and the Stewart James Files. There must be something good in these books if people keep recommending them. Thanks Rennie.

Collected Works of Alex Elmsley contains mostly card magic, but also his torn and restored newspaper, cups and balls, color changing knives, and a few ciggarete effects.

To my knowledge Greater Magic is not going to be reprinted in the near future.
But you better ask Richard Kaufman about it.

Peo

Richard's Almanac is a great value(I just got it this week). I paid $50 bucks for my copy and it was well worth it! It's neat to read the "Bull" section each issue. Serious bang for your buck!

I agree with LeConte about Richard's Almanac, its great fun to read, not to mention the exellent magic therein.
Its also fun to read about his hate/love relationship with Jeff Busby. That goes for "Bull" too.

Peo

Check out this link, may help with some of the books,

http://magicref.tripod.com/books.htm

Rennie

I have found tons of usable material in the AOA series. And there are no magic books in existence that are more fun to read.

I just figured out what RTC stands for: Revolutionary Card Technique! The Collected Works of Alex Elmsley, AOA, and Richard's Almanac all sound pretty good. Just what I'm looking for.

Thanks everybody.

Does anybody know anything about Jay Sankey's books?

I have four books by him, what do you need to know?
Well five actually, one in coperation with Richard Sanders.

Peo

Peo, I have been looking for some large magic books that that has lots of usable tricks & information in them. You know something I could learn a lot from and study for years,

Before I posted the Magic Café Forums somebody recommended Sankey Unleashed to me as a book that has lots of things in it but I've never seen a copy of it so I don't know if it's any good.

In a later post somebody else mentioned that I should take a look at Jay Sankey's Sankey Pankey book. I don't know too much about Jay Sankey and was just wondering if his books were any good.

Pqo, what books of Jays do you have and can you tell me why you like them?

Sankey has some of his early stuff in the Almanac! Once again, I urge you to explore Richard's Almanac.

Here is a great link to the contents.
Richard's Almanac Contents Listing

Some awesome material indeed. Just look at the names of the contributers.

I am going to take a look at several different books that have been mentioned by Magic Café members but I am definitely going to take a good look at Richard's Almanac because several different people say it is good.

I did take a look at the Richard's Almanac contents. The book looks really interesting. Thank you LeConte.

I too would have to vote for Apocalypse.
Wonderful books. (If you're a card guy, you also must have card college.)

Alym

Thanks Alym.

I've heard that Apocalypse and Card College are both good. Are there any other big magic books out there that you would suggest?

If you don't have them, definitely get the card college books. They are a reference you will use again and again.

Hilliard's Greater Magic should be included on this list. 1,200+ pages of great information. I also second Mind, Myth & Magick by T.A. Waters for mentalism effects.

For card effects, one should not overlook Card Craft by Hartman.

For card effects, one should not overlook Card Craft by Hartman.

Card Craft has been out of print for some time now, and that goes for Greater Magic as well.

The Art of Astonishment
The Collected Works of Alex Elmsley
Tarbell
The Magic of Michael Ammar
Smoke and Mirrors
The Books of Wonder
Card College
Maybe Carneycopia

Andre