Description

Many magic books come and go but when Wesley James releases a new book, serious students of magic pay attention. This is his first all new book since 2007 and it shows the same consideration for detail and exceptional technique he always delivers. In addition, it reveals new plots and insight into the thought he gives any new effect or routine he explores Each investigation is important;. any of them could change your magic forever.

It should come as no surprise to those who have read Wesley’s previous works that he examines card magic at a depth rarely found in any field, but less so in sleight-of-hand or magic. It will take time to extract all he has packed into these 200+ densely packed pages but it is, as the title states, the Real Work in more ways than one.

While this new work may not be the type actively sought by the novice readers, like the current crop of “self working ” material, it is a gold mine for those experienced in card technique now seeking to refine and perfect their performance. It is also excellent for the student in the early stages of development, as it can help them avoid the time consuming mistakes others have made. Rarely does a magic book offer so much sophisticated thought and analysis crammed between its covers. This is a book you will return to as you explore the array of subjects it addresses. It is a book you will continually turn to when looking for new plots to explore. It is also a book you’ll turn to when seeking the finest analysis of technique . Further, it is a book you’ll pull out when you want to know the history of some standard and not so standard effects, plots and sleights.

Obviously, no book can discuss every area of  card magic but those it covers are examined at a depth that, as the reviewer for the Linking Ring wrote of Wesley’sThe Complete Mojo, Is a PhD course in magic.

The Table of Contents below will give you some idea of the material covered and the breadth and scope of Wesley’s The Real Work.

Preface

Introduction

Problem Solving

Future Perfect

The Hofzinser Solution

Brown Tabled

The Spectator Cuts and Makes the Aces

The Greek Spectator Cuts and Turns the Aces

Spectator Cuts the Grand Coups

A Pain in My Ace

Zombies

Inspired By

Bolder Aces

Visible Riser

Dead Thumb Fake-out

Dispersed Transposition

The Jump Back Card

Stand-Up Magic

The Stuff of Legends

In a Glass with a Twist

Garuda Aces

Seven Deck Dream

Notes on the Tuned Deck

Tabled False Cuts

In the Cue

Aim a Canted Sinker

The Age of Knight

Frustration

Either Way is Good

Technique Notes

Notes on the Application of the Bottom Deal to Magic

Notes on the Under the Spread Force

Notes on the Improved Christ-Balducci Force and other Cut Force Strategies

The JJ Tabled Bluff Multiple Shift

Notes on the WJ “Invisible Pass

The Diagonal Palm Shift

Closing Observations

Bibliography

Index

1st edition 2014, 212 pages with illustrations and photos.
word count: 107350 which is equivalent to 429 standard pages of text