I Never Would Have Believed This ...

[Richard Kaufman]

If someone told me that Persi Diaconis was writing a book on magic, I would have said the person was crazy.

If the person further stated that it was a book on magic for the public, well, that's not even remotely possible.

And yet today I hold in my hand a galley of "Magical Mathematics" by Persi Diaconis and Ron Graham, with a foreword by Martin Gardner. Quite substantial at 230 pages ($30 retail, but you can get it for under $20 on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Mathemati ... 125&sr=1-1).

Haven't read it yet, but did notice a reference to my edition of Greater Magic which says that it's in print and available. This tells me that the book was probably written five to ten years ago, since Greater Magic has been out of print for a long time.

[Joe Mckay]

I have being looking forward to this book for a number of years. I pre-ordered it when I first heard about it a few weeks ago.

Anyway - Richard. If you get a chance can you let us know what you think?

I am unsure exactly who this book is aimed at - but I would be curious to know if you think it details any clever (and new?) card tricks? Persi is a bit of a genius and I was hoping the book might detail some novel ideas - and maybe some new principles?

Really not sure what to expect.

Joe

[Brandon Hall]

Persi is a bit of a genius

That's an understatement

[Larry Horowitz]

Earlier today I watched pigs fly over the frozen wasteland of hell.

[Robert Allen]

I just added it to my wish list. ...and I wish "they" would re-release the next book in the Martin Gardner series (they being a such and such university press I can't recall the name of...)

[Pete Biro]

Persi did a lecture at Stanford and invited yours truly and Ricky Jay to attend. It was based on his work on the order of cards after shuffling.

He talked theory to the PROFESSORS in attendance (from all over the world).

He then proceeded to perform a series of amazing card tricks. Then at a wine/cheese break an Asian gentlemen said to Persi, "Ah, professor Diaconis, I believe somehow you UN-SHUFFLED the deck after trick number five."

Ricky and I looked at each other and smiled. Persi, still the mountebank.

By the way, most of the tricks were premises that neither Ricky or I had ever seen.

[Bob Farmer]

Here is an excellent article:

http://chronicle.com/article/The-Magica ... si/129404/

I read the book Sunday afternoon and it has some wonderful material (including the Steve Freeman Hummer trick). Don't worry about the math: as soon as I see a formula, my mind freezes-skip all that and just read for the ideas and principles that can be used. You don't need to understand how something works to use it.

I've already got an idea for a trick using the two-dimensional De Bruijn sequence.

[Matthew Field]

I can't wait for this book. I lecdtured at The Magic Circle Library on Monday on "My Ten Favorite (Under Appreciated) Magic Books" and I included the trilogy by Leo Boudreau in which he explores the Bracelet Code, also called the Gray Code, which is the de Bruijn Sequence. I explained it to the group and only three people fell asleep.

Matt Field

[Bob Farmer]

All of Leo's books are fabulous. I believe that some of them may be available for download.

[Jeff Eline]

Matt,
I'd love to hear the other nine books on your list. :)

[Bob Farmer]

My guess for at least two would be:

1. Balloon Bunnies

2. Fun With A Woman And A Topit

[Jonathan Pendragon]

West saw an ad for the book, ordered it, didn't mention it to me. A week ago this book comes in the mail. I open it and read Persi Diaconis, PERSI DIACONIS! I have read about half the book. I love math, but it is not a must to get great stuff out of this book. Having OCD helps, but isn't required either.

[West McDonough]

I don't actually remember where I first saw it, but it was probably and article rather than an ad. I pre-ordered it months ago, then forgot about it until it arrived. I told Jonathan, "oh yeah, I ordered that awhile ago because it looked interesting... do you think it will be any good?" His freakout let me know that I had, indeed, done well.

I'll actually read it when I can pry it away from Jonathan :)

[Richard Hatch]

I did the first trick described in the book (using four cards) for 3 shows at a theater last weekend, everyone in the audience receiving 4 cards as they entered the theater. It got an excellent response. I learned the trick online from amazon.com preview!

[Steve Bryant]

The table of contents, also accessible on Amazon, is very exciting.

[Dustin Stinett]

I received my copy twice and am now waiting to finally read it once it arrives for the third time. (Hey, that almost sounds like a riddle!)

Dustin

[Mark Paulson]

He just lectured at the University of Washington last Wednesday night.

http://www.grad.washington.edu/lectures ... onis.shtml

[AJM]

Have just ordered this book from the mighty Amazon and I'm very much looking forward to receiving it.

Judging by the UK/US price (18 pounds / 18 bucks) and the estimated delivery time (1-4 weeks) - I'm assuming Amazon aren't stocking the book in the UK.

[Dustin Stinett]

I finally received a copy that was not defective (third time was the charm), so check your copy carefully. The damage was not done by Amazon, but at the printer during trimming.

Dustin

[Jim Martin]

What, specifically, had been mistrimmed?

[Dustin Stinett]

Book #1, page 155 (top right, folded in and also subsequently torn, otherwize I could have trimmed it myself).

Book #2, title page (bottom, folded up and still had the color plate markings on it--very bad).

Book #3 I would not have picked up at a B&M bookstore. The front end paper has a bad wrinkle in it. But I was not about to send the book back a third time for something that picky.

I'm not thrilled by the weight of the paper, but I suppose you get what you pay for in that regard.

And, in case anyone is wondering, the book was printed in the USA.

Dustin

[Jim Martin]

Thanks Dustin - I went through the entire book carefully. My copy has that odd wrinkle (yes, on lighter weight paper, given the 'heavy' material) at the bottom on the first ten pages.

[Gary Kosnitzky]

This book is a gem.
Thank you Persi.

[Bill Mullins]

I don't see this interview with Diaconis linked anywhere in the archives . . . .