The Magician and the Cardsharp: The Search for America's Greatest Sleight-of-Hand Artist

by Karl Johnson

A famous magician's journey to find the greatest cardsharp ever evokes the forgotten world of magic where Americans found escape during the Great Depression

It has the nostalgic quality of an old-fashioned fable, but Karl Johnson's The Magician and the Cardsharp is a true story that lovingly re-creates the sparkle of a vanished world. Here, set against the backdrop of America struggling through the Depression, is the world of magic, a realm of stars, sleight of hand, and sin where dreams could be realized-or stolen away.

Following the Crash of '29, Dai Vernon, known by magicians as "the man who fooled Houdini," is tramping down Midwestern backroads, barely making ends meet. While swapping secrets with a Mexican gambler, he hears of a guy he doesn't quite believe is real-a legendary mystery man who deals perfectly from the center of the deck and who locals call the greatest cardsharp of all time. Determined to find the reclusive genius, Vernon sets out on a journey through America's shady, slick, and sinful side-from mob-run Kansas City through railroad towns that looked sleepy only in the daytime. Does he find the sharp?

Well, Karl Johnson did-after years of research into Vernon's colorful quest, research that led him to places he never knew existed. Johnson takes us to the cardsharp's doorstep and shows us how he bestowed on Vernon the greatest secret in magic. The Magician and the Cardsharp is a unique and endlessly entertaining piece of history that reveals the artistry and obsession of a special breed of American showmen.

Genres: Magic, Nonfiction, Biography, History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2005

Reviews

[Harold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this not long before I joined and just reread it now. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dai Vernon, a well known established stage magician with particulary developed sleight of hand card skills, hears of a card dealer in the midwest who has perfected dealing from the middle of the deck - an unimaginable feat of skill with big ramifications in both card magic and cheating at cards. He decides to track the dealer down and succeeds. The dealer shows him how to do it - and it is a move that requires relentless practice. I found the book totally engrossing.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The research that went into this book is extaordinary, considering the secretive nature of both the gambling world and the magic world. The author, who is neither a magician nor a gambler, did an incredible job of merging the lives of two legends into a cohesive narrative.

[Tom Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnson creates a vivid and atmospheric narrative with flashy, cinematic writing. I found reading this comparable to listening to a serial podcast—one that hooks you with a tantalizing topic, just a little off the beaten path, and then fills itself to the brim with unexpected details. We are treated to a "dueling banjos" type of structure, following first magician Dai Vernon and then gambler Allen Kennedy in alternating chapters. Unfortunately, the balance between these two storylines isn't equal, and Kennedy's chapters tend to ramble on, indulging in too many tangents and too much backstory to equal the much clearer and more direct events of Vernon's.

3.5 stars out of 5. A bit of a puff piece, truth be told. Interesting stuff, downright gripping at some points, but it does run too long on biography and backstory and tends to repeat certain info and phrases throughout. Also, I'd really have liked to hear more about the techniques and tricks these card handlers perfected; it was very hard to visualize them from the scant descriptions given.

[MagicDave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the greatest exponent of pure sleight of hand in Magic, Dai Vernon, known by his admirers as "The Professor", blazed a trail for others to follow and forever changed the face of close up magic. He was known by many as Magic's greatest teacher. Karl Johnson has created a brilliant slice-of-life, giving us not only a picture of this great artist, but of early 20th century Magic.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would of read this in one sitting if I had the time. Reminded me of why I like magic and it's subculture. I read a little of Dai Vernon in old Genii magazines, Stars of Magic and other places in the 60's and 70's & 90's so this was somewhat nostalgic for me.

[Target242 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic account of magician Dai Vernon's quest to find the 'holy grail' of gambling and card magic subterfuge: the middle deal, in 1930s America!

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. The true story of Dai Vernon and the discovery of the "center deal"

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine work, detailing the genius and dedication of two men. Vernon and Kelly were exceptional, and their greatest art was to remain hidden in plain sight.

[Sam Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. The story of 2 men. One who cheats at cards for entertainment, and one who cheats at cards to survive. Definitely one I'll read again.

[adri patamoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

neste livro incrível, o autor mostra o que conseguiu com um árduo trabalho de detetive, contando a história de um grande mágico em busca do maior truque com cartas de todos os tempos. o desenrolar dos acontecimentos é tão legal que a gente fica torcendo pro livro não acabar! além disso, como a história é verdadeira, fiquei curiosa, querendo ver os vídeos das muitas mágicas mencionadas no livro e morrendo de vontade de ver os truques feitos pelas pessoas pesquisadas pelo karl. adorei esta história incrível, contada de uma forma tão legal! fiquei com vontade de ver mágicas! rs.

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in this excellent book, the author shows us what he gathered through strenuous detective work, telling us the story of a great magician in his search for the biggest card trick of all times. the book is so nice that we don't want to see it end! besides, since the story is true, i got super curious and wish i could see videos of the magic tricks mentioned in the book. i wish i could see the card tricks executed by the people karl investigated. i loved this great story, told in such a wonderful way. i'm dying to see some magic acts now! lol.

[Cristian V. Bizau · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn more about The Professor's personality, about his character and also find out more about his adventure for finding/discovering the Center Deal this is the book for you. You'll be laughing at "The Professor"'s ingenious mind, you'll be laughing at Malini and his misfortune (poor Malini) and you'll be mesmerized all throughout the story. Even if you're not a magic enthusiast, this is still a good book. But if you know who "The Professor" is, then this is one hell of a book. You'll be sad when it's finished.

[Zachary Rawlins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite non-fiction read in a long time - a fascinating overview of a forgotten time and place in American history, a broad and encompassing look at the worlds of performance magic and card cheating, and a gripping story to boot - a genuine historical mystery, solved. If you are at all interesting in sleight-of-hand, card sharping, or the history of magic, then this is absolute must read. Very enjoyable.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty interesting book about a famous card magician, a Canadian named Dai Vernon (1894-1992), and his search for a cardsharp who was rumored to be able to deal from the center of a deck of cards. The cardsharp is eventually located. I would have liked to have learned more about how the card tricks are performed.

[Dana Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before facebook people had to travel miles to find masters of magic to apprentice to. This book follows one man's odyssey to learn the most difficult card tricks and track down the only person he has ever heard of that can deal cards from the middle of the deck. Part magician, part gambler, this story predates the acceptance of magic into the mainstream.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up my alley - true tale of Dai Vernon (great 20th Century sleight of hand man) and his search for the K.C. gambler supposedly capable of dealing from the center. Well-written, but still has the ring of truth about it. Considering it's about a magician and a card cheat...

[Mark Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book. A bit like the search for the fabled 30ft+ python. Does it exist, doesn't it? Nevertheless, a nicely told tale, set against the backdrop of the American Depression, as our hero sets off in search of a legendary figure.

Does he succeed? You'll have to read it to find out!

[Clara.lafrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fun, it makes me miss working street fairs. Sometimes it drags a bit, but it's a fine book for reading on the T (it doesn't require much attention).

[Brian mcgee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great magic history lesson. Great introduction to Dai Vernon. Great story.

[Carla Remy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent book tells a fascinating historical story so well, there are times it feels like a novel. I was interested to read about Kansas City in the early 1930s. I'd heard the rumors.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't finish. i so wanted to like this one 'cause I'm a huge magic buff.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished 9-2-2014. Very good book with interesting anecdotes.