This e-book is to my knowledge the first of its kind not just for magic literature but in general. The inclusion of several dozens of video clips extends and completes the description of moves and techniques and allows the student a deeper and quicker learning. Altogether 89 video clips are present. These show Giobbi hands without any comments, since one can find all comments already in the text. It would anyway be futile to try to capture all written information as a monologue in video. Video clips have to be understood as an addition and not as standalone. Each form of expression is used in its most efficient way. With the written word one can provide a lot of searchable details and present them in a clear and precise manner. Illustrations capture important moments and positions. And video clips convey the timing and motion of a technique. Video clips also allow one to acquire a basic understanding and overview in a few seconds. I am convinced that you will be delighted by this e-book. It will help you reach new levels in your card magic and reach them faster.

Card College is a modern classic. It is without a doubt the most important work on sleight of hand with cards. This is the first volume in a series of five. The specialty of this electronic book is its 89 video clips, which show how Giobbi executes each and every technique described. This e-book has also been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious EPPIE 2004 e-book award in the category non-fiction/how-to. This is the first magic book to be nominated for a non-magic book price. Please note that there are significant differences between the latest printed edition of "Card College 1" and this e-book, beside the video clips. This e-book was based on the German edition "Grosse Kartenschule 1" which has a somewhat different selection of chapters than the English one from Hermetic Press.

One could say it is the author's cut: Chapter 9, The Glimpse in this e-book appears in Volume 2 of The Hermetic Press Series. On the other hand chapters 13, 14, 15 and 16 from The Hermetic Press book are missing in this e-book. They will be available in the electronic "Card College 2". Beside the chapter differences between the paper edition and this e-book, Giobbi added about 20 new pages to "Card College 1" since the latest printing. There have been numerous additions particularly to The Final Notes and Check Points sections.

Chapter 1 has a new section on the card case; you might think that opening a card case is a trivial matter. Not so, says Roberto, who dissects this process into its smallest part and gives you plenty of good reasons why you should know all these details. A new routine "Further than that..."was added to Chapter 5 "Force Techniques Part 1". And finally the "Bibliographic Notes" have been updated and extended. So even if you have already "Card College 1" the book, there are plenty of reasons why you want to have this e-book.