Two things are noteworthy. One, it is a must read book for magic theory interested. Two, it has a 20 page biographical index of card tricks. This includes sleights as well. Anybody doing research on card moves or routines should have this index. It makes searching a lot easier. And this index might point you to interesting books you have not heard about or which are not in your possession. This book was rated one of the ten basic books for a working library of conjuring by H. Adrian Smith, historian, collector and owner of the largest private magic library in his time. Other books in this top 10 list are
The Art of Magic by T. Nelson Downs
The Expert at the Card Table by S.W. Erdnase
Magicians' Tricks by Henry Hatton and Adrian Plate
Modern Magic by Prof. Hoffmann
More Magic by Prof. Hoffmann
Later Magic by Prof. Hoffmann
The Modern Conjurer by C. Lang Neil
Tarbell Course by Harlan Tarbell
Greater Magic by John Northern Hilliard
1st edition, 1911, E. P. Dutton & Company; 2nd edition, 1946, Fleming; original 487 pages; PDF 265 pages.
PART I: THE ART IN MAGIC by Nevil Maskelyne
I: The Real Secrets of Magic
II: The Three Degrees in Art
III: Unity
IV: Consistency
V: Justification
VI: Surprise and Repetition
VII: Effects of Transition
VIII: Climax
IX: Presentation
X: Rehearsal
XI: Speed in Presentation
XII: Patter
XIII: Stage Manner and Personality
XIV: Mental Attitude
XV: The Importance of Artistic Principles PART II: THE THEORY OF MAGIC by Nevil Maskelyne
I: Terminology
II: General Analysis
III: Misdirection
IV: Styles of Magic
V: Manipulative Principles
VI: Principles of Mental Magic
VII: Mechanical Principles
VIII: Optical Principles
IX: Acoustic Principles
X: Electrical Principles
XI: Chemical and Molecular Principles
XII: Magical Inventions PART III: THE PRACTICE OF MAGIC by David Devant
I: With Playing Cards. The Triangle
Bibliographical Index of Card Tricks
II: With Billiard Balls. Multiplication
III: With Figures. Simple Addition
IV: With a Borrowed Watch. The Forgotten Guest
V: With a Borrowed Handkerchief. A Lesson in Magic
VI: With Bells. Homing Bells
VII: With Flags. The National Colours
VIII: With Liquids. The Three Vases
IX: With a Rabbit, a Ball and Two Hats. The Silver Ball
X: With Fish and Letters. The Educated Fish
XI: With Doves and Rats. The Point of View
XII: With a Canary and a Target. "The Phoenix"
word count: 112190 which is equivalent to 448 standard pages of text
