Uncovered

John Luka

(Based on 1 review)
Uncovered is a compilation of first class practical card magic, including some powerful non-card items, written for the serious magician. Featured are several commercial creations that John has had the pleasure of performing in restaurants, at magic get-togethers, and at parties for friends. You will find magic that is well within the range of most magicians. The magic is devastating with most items requiring only basic sleight of hand. You won't find any knuckle busters within this volume. But, you will find MANY things you can use. Anything less is unacceptable!

All the items have been photographed and are explained in great detail. Here is what you will find.
  • The Ambitious Card: With all the "Get Readies" choreographed into the trick for automatic double turnovers.
  • Licked At Last: An easy to do "In The Hands Triumph" that really packs a wallop.
  • The Card To Wallet: A killer "no palm" card to wallet.
  • The Magic Cards: A fun routine that leaves them wondering.
  • Wow Revisited: A spiffed up version of "The Biddle Trick".
  • Chromo Balls: An updated Technicolor revamping of "The Three Ball Transposition".
  • The Airplane Card: Melding Vernon and Carlyle to produce an impossible "Card To Pocket".
  • Michigan Monte: A no gaff version of "Sidewalk Shuffle."
  • Coins Through The Table: This trick fooled Charlie Miller.
  • Invisible Palm: This version features the vanish of the last Ace that you can actually do.
  • Back To The 19th Century: An incredible assembly using no gaffs or extra cards.
  • Plus much more:

Pages 100 - Hard Bound

Reviews

Gordon Meyer

Official Reviewer

Feb 05, 2007

Subtitled "Secrets for the Serious Magician," Luka's Uncovered is for performers who know their sleight of hand. This isn't a bad thing, but if you don't already have a working grasp of intermediate, perhaps even advanced, card techniques you'll be facing a long slog.

If that doesn't scare you off then this is a book you should definitely consider adding to your library. The routines are thought-through and clearly described, with excellent photographic illustrations. Many of the routines are variations on standards, such as the Ambitious Card or Open Travelers, but each is well choreographed and benefits from Luka's decades of polishing and refinement.

The majority of the effects are card tricks, although coin workers will find a couple of items, and there's a fun three-ball routine.

The book is self-published, unlike Luka's earlier L.I.N.T. volume, but its an impressive effort. The book's design is somewhat pedestrian, but the almost complete lack of typos, the clear photographs, concise instructions, and hardcover production puts books by bigger names to shame. Luka gets a hearty "atta-boy" from me as someone who treats his material, and readers, with respect. And, it should also be noted, sells it at a fair price.

Uncovered is not going to a book that gets the magician's Internet groups buzzing--it's far too practical and studied for the hype-happy to glom onto--but it's a real treat for students of classic card plots and technique.
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