Foreward

Back in the swinging 90’s, when the internet was in its infancy; when email and ebooks were yet to become a way of life, I received a large envelope in the mail.

It was postmarked Florida, USA and the sender was one Dr. Martin Kane. Inside the envelope were several dozen pages of card routines, all created by Marty.

When someone has taken the time and trouble to send me samples of their material then I think it only courteous that I send a reply.

The problem with that is; it means having to read the material! As I stared at the pile of Kane creations lying on my desk, I decided to … have a coffee!

Eventually, I plucked a sheet at random from the pile. The description was short and sweet, with a quirky presentation, and the trick worked.

The only problem I had was that I failed to see “how” it worked. Yes, Marty fooled me with the very first trick. There was no sleight of hand involved, it just worked.

I was impressed, and Marty’s creative mind has continued to impress me ever since.

Marty is a “man of principles” and you will discover, as you read this book, that he has the rare ability to take a baffling mathematical idea and run with it, creating even more baffling offshoots as he goes along.

And this book contains over sixty such routines featuring many diverse principles, each employed in a variety of ways. Often, this involves spelling names, colors, numbers, zodiac signs, etc.

However, do not expect to find your usual spella-card and find it type trick; any spelling is coated with layers of clever wordplay resulting in a humorous magical linguistic masterpiece, every time.

And Marty does this better than anyone else I know.

As you study this book, you will encounter principles developed by Alex Elmsley, Jim Steinmeyer, Bert Allerton, Henry Christ, Gene Finnell, Colm Mulcahy, plus unusual properties of the Deal Mix, and equally unusual properties of the Down Under Shuffle, and more.

And, if you think these concepts are boring, think again; Marty not only makes them entertaining, but his adaptations are often hilarious.

And, if his zany wit doesn’t get you, the clever construction of his routines most certainly will!

Over the years Marty has created and published a sizeable amount of material, but this is his first major work, and I am delighted and honored to write these few words.

So, go grab a coffee, sit back, and be amazed as you enter the tantalizing world of Dr. Kane, where the strange and quirky are the norm.

Peter Duffie
August 2016