Shld I get AoA (Art of Astonishment) or David Regal's books.
Is AoA all bout cards?
Heard Constant Fooling 2 requires many gimmick cards?
Care to enlighten wat gimmick cards used?
Deja Vu Deck?
Double facers?
Double Backs?

What to get ? Sigh....

Speaking of deja vus, didn't I remember you already asking me this question yesterday? :mellow: :mellow:

Anyways, David regal has several sets of books out, so it depends on which ones you're interested in. Someone lent me Close-up and Personal to read through and personally I find that it's Regal's best book by far. Of course, I'm not sure if it's still in print or not, but if it is you definitely have to get it. ;) Of course, as an alternative most of the material in Close-up and Personal is scattered throughout his Tricks, More Tricks, and enough of the Tricks DVD set. (which is awesome as well) I still read through my copy of Constant Fooling 1 every now and then, and I still find some great ideas in there (Clandestine Jokers is one of the best effects in the book along with On Call ;) ). Constant Fooling is entirely card work, and there are two more segments, one which details his Cups and Balls and Cups and balls routine, and the other a section for all these weird little non-card effects using these weird little gimmicks and it's a really interesting read as well. :D

Of course, I don't have any of Regal's other books so I can't really comment on them. Star Quality is definitely out of print (so good luck searching for that if you want it) and Constant Fooling 2 I've heard is mainly gimmicked effects, or effects that use something a little "extra" in 'em. ;)

on the topic of art of Astonishment, I have book 1 and 3, and book 2 doesn't really have anything that interests me (I borrowed it for a little read as well). Book 1 and 3 have some creative gems in there, stuff like Limo Service, Las Vegas Leaper, Leaf, Tic Tac, Buck Naked, Cros-Twist, Big Time Leaper, Chocolate, Hi There babycakes, and the Torn Mentalist (I just stumbled upon this one in book 3 a while ago and I've got one word, WOW) and of course there are other interesting segments, like the entire segment in Book 1 dedicated to Gregory Wilson, and of course, the last segments of each book in the series have discussions on some pipe-dreams (in the positive sense of the term) and interesting methods to accomplishing some seemingly impossible effects.

So yeah, from what I've read, I pretty much enjoy both guys' books, so just read through my comments on 'em and make up your own damn mind. :D

Another thing you may wanna look out for is David Ben's "Tricks". It's being reprinted and David Ben is one of Canada's top magicians, and the book sounds pretty awesome as well. ;)

Regal, definately.
If you can, get his videos too! I tell you, even in half a centuries' time, you'll still enjoy watching that video over and over and over again...