EndersGame wrote:I particularly appreciate it when there's a combination of written and visual materials.
I fully agree, particularly when the videos come from the author of the book. Roberto Giobbi and Michael Close come to mind here.
Explanations aside, I think it's also great to simply see the author perform his pieces. What a great way to experience the look and feel of a routine, its flow and duration, etc.! This can tremendously help in making your purchase decision.
Take, for example, Switzerland's Christian Scherer's big book of original magic in German, "Schlaglichter" ("Bright Lights"). It is accompanied by a website (
http://www.schlaglichter.ch/schre/index ... f=1&i=home) that features performance videos of all routines for close-up, parlor, and stage featured in his book (almost 30 in total).
I wished more authors would go this extra mile!