The Complete Al Leech

The Complete Al Leech is a substantial hardcover collection celebrating the versatile magic of Al Leech, bringing together his classic work on cards, thimbles, billiard balls, and more. Newly edited and annotated by Chicago magician Danny Rudnick, creator of the Selec-Trick Deck, this edition presents Leech’s material in a clear, organized format for modern readers.

Spanning 280 pages, the book compiles a wide range of techniques, sleights, and routines, carefully arranged by subject for easy reference. Original illustrations have been preserved to retain the character of the classic material, while new photographs by Lee Benzaquin enhance clarity and support the explanations.

The contents move beyond simple tricks, exploring Leech’s approach to performance structure, technique, and misdirection. Highlights include chapters on card demonstrations, gambling routines, ambitious sandwich effects, pick-a-card plots, gimmicked methods, ball manipulation, and thimble magic.

The opening chapter, The Smart Slant on Misdirection, offers valuable insight into presentation and audience management, making this more than just a collection of tricks—it is also a study in performance thinking.

Table of Contents Highlights:

• The Smart Slant on Misdirection
• Moves and Sleights
• Card Demonstrations
• Aces, Four-of-a-Kinds, and Gambling
• Pick-A-Card routines
• Ambitious Sandwich Transpositions
• Gaffs and Other Bits-O'-Business
• Ball Manipulation
• Thimbles
• Index of Publications & Tricks

Details:

• Features the magic of Al Leech
• Newly edited and annotated by Danny Rudnick
• Original illustrations preserved
• New photographs by Lee Benzaquin
• Covers cards, thimbles, billiard balls, and more
• 280 pages
• Hardcover edition
• Black and white illustrations

A broad and thoughtfully edited collection of classic sleight-of-hand and performance material from Al Leech.