When I first received this book, I made a quick comparison with the 3 hardcover volumes of the earlier edition in my library.  The 3 volumes contain a total of 1,030 pages.  This tome contains a total of only 435 pages and is slightly large in size than the 3 volumes.  Is it possible that this new book contains all the materials in the 3 previous volumes?  Yes, it is. 

Volume 3 of the original edition contains various chapters, each devoted to rope tricks contributed by Tom Sellers, Allan Lambie, Glen Gravatt, Stewart James, Eddie Joseph, Robert Harbin, and from Abbott Magic Company, “Tops” and “Genii”.  All of these tricks have now been categorized into one of the 8 chapters in the new book.  The chapters are:  C & R Cord, C & R Rope (Impromptu), C & R Rope (Prepared), C & R Rope (Unprepared), Knots, Miscellaneous Rope Tricks, Penetrations (One Rope), and Penetrations (Two Ropes).  In addition, there are 3 specialized chapters, niz The Hindu Rope Trick, “Hen” Fetsch Rope Session and “Sefalaljia”.  This gives you an idea on what types of rope tricks are covered in this tome.  There must be about a total of 400 rope tricks described in the book.

The compilation was originally from the 1940s to 1970s and, understandably, does not contain the rope magic of modern masters such as Pavel, Francis Tabary, George Sands and Daryl Martinez.  Still, it is a monumental work by Stewart James, providing valuable information on this special branch of magic.

Of the 3 earlier volumes, only Volume 1 is readily available, having being published by Dover books.  Volumes 2 and 3 are different to obtain.  Therefore, this hardcover anthology is a must-have for every magician.  After-all, which magician does not want to include at least one rope trick in his repertoire?  Rope magic belongs to the “pack small and play big” category.  (5/5 stars rating)