Looking Foreword: Nth Degree

Nothing sets the stage for a new book like a great introduction. “Looking Foreword” is our new series where we give you exclusive sneak peeks at our upcoming titles through their prefaces, introductions, and of course, their forewords.

To start us off, we're getting ready for John Guastaferro's Final Degree by looking his latest book, The Nth Degree. Please enjoy John Bannon's foreword.

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“So, who’s your favorite magician?”

Tough question. And one I generally avoid answering. But all in, I would have to say this guy, John Guastaferro. You’re about to find out why.

Ever since he burst onto the scene twenty years ago, I have enjoyed and admired his creative approach to card magic: engaging presentations, subtle methods, and especially, well-crafted constructions. All the good parts, without any gratuitous ego-driven embellishments. Many practitioners use their sleight-of- hand ability to cover up incomplete, half-baked, or simply bad tricks. John is highly skilled, but he does not let that get in the way of developing sound, effective, card magic.

We’ve had a lot to talk about.

Knowing John personally, I am more impressed. A true Renaissance man, John is not only a talented magician but also an accomplished musician, composer, motivational speaker, and an all-around good guy. Further, he has spent a career developing non-profit and charitable endeavors. An old soul generating a lot of good karma. You’d like him. Well-rounded people make better, well-rounded Magicians.

We’ve been kindred spirits for decades now, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that we’ve been able to hang out and session on a regular Zoom call (that continues to this day). So I’ve seen all of these tricks—and been schooled on a few of them. He gets it. He gets that it takes more than cobbling a few moves together and calling it a “trick.” There needs to be a spark and, without fail, John finds it!

Since his first major collection, One Degree, John continues to raise the bar. Exponentially. Thirteen years ago, I happily observed that John’s magic was not only “good, fresh, and finely wrought,” but “oozed style and substance.” Still true today.

In the intervening years, if anything, John has refined his style and developed an even clearer vision of what he wants from his magic.

With The Nth Degree, he continues to share that vision giving us more of his trademark great card magic. Works for me.

Bet it works for you, too.

John Bannon June 2023