📖 Overview
Card College is a comprehensive instructional series on card magic written by Swiss magician Roberto Giobbi. The five-volume work covers fundamental through advanced sleight of hand techniques with playing cards.
The books progress systematically from basic card handling to complex routines and principles used by professional magicians. Each technique is explained with clear text and illustrations, accompanied by variations and practical applications.
The series includes detailed sections on misdirection, psychology, and the theatrical aspects of performing card magic. Historical context and credits for various moves and effects are provided throughout.
Card College has become a foundational text in modern card magic, emphasizing both technical proficiency and artistic presentation. The work reflects Giobbi's philosophy that card magic is a legitimate performing art requiring both mechanical skill and deep understanding of magical principles.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight the clear explanations, detailed illustrations, and logical progression of card techniques across the volumes. Many note it serves beginners and intermediate magicians equally well.
Likes:
- Clear photographs showing exact finger positions
- Historical context for each sleight
- Step-by-step breakdowns
- Theory sections explaining the "why" behind techniques
- High quality binding and paper
Dislikes:
- Price point ($50+ per volume)
- Some find the writing style overly verbose
- Text density can be overwhelming
- Spanish translation has some errors
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.8/5 (350+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.7/5 (200+ reviews)
Theory11: 4.9/5 (80+ reviews)
Sample review: "Unlike other magic books that just list tricks, Giobbi teaches fundamental principles that let you create your own routines. The progression from basic to advanced concepts is perfect." - Magic Cafe forum user
"The only negative is the price, but the content justifies the investment." - Amazon reviewer
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🤔 Interesting facts
🎴 Card College is considered one of the most comprehensive modern works on card magic, spanning five volumes and over 1,500 pages
📚 Author Roberto Giobbi studied under legendary magicians Dai Vernon and Juan Tamariz, incorporating their wisdom and techniques into his teaching method
🔄 The series has been translated into seven languages, including German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese, making it a global standard for card magic education
🎓 Unlike many magic books, Card College follows a structured curriculum approach, building skills progressively from basic card handling to advanced sleight of hand
🌟 The original German version, "Grosse Kartenschule," was published in 1992, and its success led to the English translation and worldwide distribution through Hermetic Press