Actually, this came into my mind after a discussion with Morphine regarding instructional material for card sleights, and I must say, Morphine's right on this one.

There have been plenty of praises pertaining to Daryl's Encyclopedia of Card Sleights as a tool for learning essential sleights. Like what Morphine has said, "Many think that it is good, but I prefer Card College." Here's why:

If you're a lazy person (like myself) who finds joy in popping in a video and learning sleights from an FISM champion magician, you'll find Daryl's Encyclopedia a must-have. Indeed, it IS good. The sleights are explained, demonstrated, and taught with good and conceivable detail. Perfect for beginners because the difficulty levels increase with each volume. Perfect for intermediate magicians because you'll never know which essential sleight you've missed out in your head (and there are TONS of them), and perfect for seasoned practitioners because it offers you a source of reference should you forget or want to improve on a particular sleight that you have long forgotten.

So what makes Card College so good in contrast? Well, reading a book has its setbacks. Your comprehension of a sleight is dependant on your ability to ingest material based on text. You no longer have a "live" person performing and demonstrating. To tell you the truth, some of the diagrams in the book are hard to understand at first sight, and you'll have to flip back the contents page feverishly to pinpoint the sleight that you want to read on. Overall, learning from Card College is a tad more tedious and time-consuming than following a video.

However, upon reading my very first copy of Card College, I can't help but to be amazed at the level of detail put into ensuring that you can master the sleight PERFECTLY. The tips given are astounding yet short and practical, and far surpasses any videos I ever seen about card magic.

Card College puts you in the hands of a mentor. Somehow, you'll feel that you inder the tutelage of a patient teacher who demands no less that complete mastery of the sleight described. Timing, duration, misdirection, performance situations, exceptions, individual finger allocation are meticulously taught with no stone unturned. Think you have complete mastery of an Elmsley Count? Read Card College and be surprised at how much more there is to it.

Highly recommended reading material, be it whether you're a beginner or an expert. Diction and descriptive text are clear, conscise and easy to understand.

Get your Card College series today.

Disclaimer: No personal commission is collected if any members in SMC purchase the abovementioned. Please note that you will suffer from sleep depravation and aching fingers upon commencement of your Card College course. Increase in knowledge and decrease in social life is guaranteed. Purchase at your own risk.

spot on ^_^

i think generally speaking, books are more comprehensive in that way as compared to their vids/dvds counterparts. there are much much more info in books, and they are more value for $ imo.

Yeah, I guess so. But there are exceptions though. I have read real crappy manuscripts that I feel can be of much better use to a magic student if explained on video.

Still, Card College has proved that it isn't just a par above a video...it far surpasses its acclaimed standards.

There are many comprehensively detailed books and instructional text in the market indeed. But what makes Card College such an interesting read is that it is able to produce a clear mental image of its intended instructions, providing plenty of depth without complications, which has a functional simplicity that many books lack.

does card college comes with some effects within it or only card slieghts? :huh:

Card College comes with many effects for you to practice each of the sleight that is covered.

Daryl's EOCS on the other hand, has tons of variations and only a few teaser effects to go along.

Agreed with all. :)
Card College is the way to go...

sorry if i m irritating u... but... how many volumes are there in the book card college, where can i get it and how much izzit?
Thx.

5 Volumes, i think a set would cost at least $300, you can purchase it from our dealers.