As everyone knows, Allan Ackerman has the technical ability to make a deck of cards perform symphonic masterpieces of magic without breaking a sweat. His recent DVD work on Erdnase has been well received and has met accolades from tough customers. While he has a considerable video legacy, his book offerings are somewhat more modest. I think he realized early on how important seeing the performances can be. I also have Las Vegas Kardma, and I was impressed with the variety and scope of skills demonstrated in that compilation.
I recently picked up this little book gem and flipped through it when it arrived. It wasn’t until I started really reading it that I started to realize how well the material is presented. The ideas are sound, the techniques are achievable with practice, and the effects are direct. He has sessioned and developed ideas with all the best, so a good number of his effects are alternate handlings and original approaches to ideas from the likes of Dingle, Marlo, Jennings and others card masters. His original ideas and utilities are well constructed and accomplish their ends cleanly and smoothly.
As always, I want to keep a variety of material at my fingertips. Simple or mystical, standing or tabled, presentational or visual, skillful or suble. I like this book because it has a sampling of them all.