This book was good, but to tell the truth I was expecting more. Before I bought the book, I had learned the basics of contact juggling like the butterfly and different body rolls by looking at websites on the internet about contact juggling. I wanted to learn more about contact juggling, and since this is the only book out there about the topic, I expected it to teach me more. It did teach me more, but not as much as I was hoping for. Total, I would say there were only 3 or 4 tricks that I had not seen in the past. But then again, all this could be my fault for expecting too much an learning too much from the internet before I bought the book.
THe book itself is well written. Most of it is easy to understand, and the diagrams are nice, but they go hand in hand with the text. I found that just looking at the diagrams didn't explain the trick fully enough, so just skimming over the diagrams and not reading is not something you can do with this book. The book also had a nice section on other sorts of juggling which I found to be my favorite chapter in the book...
And thats my review of this book.
(...)
Here are the most important factors regarding this book: 1) It is written by a juggler for the juggle-minded.
2) The design is well thought out. It includes dozens of incredibly detailed, yet easily understandable, diagrams. They are all clearly labelled, and clearly show the movements of the ball and the body at all times, including angles. And it never gets complicated.
3) No having to bend the spine of the book or put a weight across it to hold it open. I have the second edition so can only refer to it when I say that the plastic-ring binding makes it easy to lay the book flat on any page so you can refer to the diagrams, hassle-free, while practicing.
4) Not only does it completely cover the basics, it moves into more difficult moves, yet it doesn't go so far as to insult your ability to create. An earlier reviewer was a bit dismayed that the book did not include what he thought were obvious tricks and so he called the book incomplete. Actually, there's enough in there to get anyone going, and it does what a good book ought to do which is to give you enough to get you going and interested enough to pursue your own unique tricks. Regarding its entry-level purpose, it is more than complete.
5) It isn't presumptuous. There's good, practical advice for all levels.
All in all, this book has not only what you need to begin, but also what can help one delve deeper into possibilities. It's worded in such a way as to put the reader at ease and to highlight areas where bad habits might show.
Honestly, it's a gem...a true one of a kind, and if you are seriously interested in contact juggling and are from beginner to advanced intermediate level, don't hesitate to get it.
Best wishes,
Eric
ps. Pier1 Imports has excellent 'granite' looking balls which sell for a few bucks or less each. And remember to practice over a rug or a bed!
