Joshua Jay's Amazing Book of Cards

If you like playing cards,you will love this book. Joshua Jay has a really easy to read writing style. You will learn some really good card tricks, cool shuffles and imaginative things you can do with cards like making your very own playing card wallet. You also learn a lot about the history of playing cards and some weird and interesting facts. Best of all, you get a DVD with Josh showing you how to do the shuffles, tricks and hustles. This a great product and is highly recommended.

Congratulations, Joshua Jay, you did it again! This book provides its readers a very good reference about playing cards in general. From history of playing cards, tricks and flourishes, tricks as well as crafts, Joshua Jay takes you step by step into things that you didn't thought were possible with cards. His teaching style is as clear as ever and his DVD takes you not only the methods but as well as presentation tips. The book and DVD are really worth buying and you won't be disappointed.

New to Card Magic - review by 55 years old teacher:
Got Royal Road - great! Got Giobbi Book 1 - great ! Got Paul Wilson 10x10 - great !
Got Ingo Ahnfeldt ( german ) - great !
AND: Got THIS ONE - Joshua Jay's Amazing Book of Cards - not only great ! - Amazing ! - So much Fun ! - So fast to learn and make progress - Would be worth triple the price :-)

This is a well-written book of about 200 pages. Mine (which I bought about in 2011) came autographed which was nice. Be aware that the book covers more than just magic. The opening chapter covers simple displays of skill such as ribbon spreading the deck and the one-handed cut. Next is a chapter of simple tricks, all with terrific presentations. A chapter on shuffling is next covering riffle, overhand, and even the faro. An interesting chapter covers crafts with cards, mostly non-magical (though marking cards is touched upon). Another chapter on tricks and then a miscellaneous chapter on topics such as building a house of cards and fortune telling. The final full chapter covers mainly stunts and bets. A great appendix gives further reading then credits close out the book. Great photos throughout and clear explanations. A DVD covering many items is included. Five stars for the beginner, thee to four stars for more experienced magicians who will want to focus more on Jay's superb and unique presentations.

I purchased this book a few years ago when I was just starting in card magic and I am glad I did! I think this is a must have whether you only do cards (like me) or if you pursue the magic performance in general, as cards is part of the magic performance. I just don't give 5 stars because I consider this book to benefit more a total beginner (which was not my case when I got it). The book is not only about card tricks, it's actually about everthing card related - history of playing cards, basic cardistry moves, basic card handling moves like the overhand shuffle, bets with cards, among other things.

I remember being so excited for the second book and it didn't disappoint. I specifically enjoyed the history on cards. Great information to have the book is great qnd highly recommend.

I am only a short way in to the book and have resisted the temptation to jump forward and fall over.
The book is very well written, is perfectly structured, and has a truly engaging style to it.