Sharps and Flats (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Complete Revelation of the Secrets of Cheating at Games of Chance and SkillBy John Nevil Maskelyne
Length5h 54m
About this audiobook
Sharps and Flats is a meticulous exposé of gambling fraud, revealing the sleights, devices, and psychological stratagems by which card and dice cheats exploited games of chance and skill. Written in a lucid, demonstrative style, the book combines technical precision with moral urgency, situating itself within the late Victorian literature of detection, rational inquiry, and social warning. Its detailed explanations of marked cards, false shuffles, loaded dice, and accomplice play make it both a practical anatomy of deception and a remarkable document of popular criminology. John Nevil Maskelyne, celebrated stage magician, illusionist, and inventor, was uniquely equipped to write such a work. His professional life depended upon understanding misdirection, manual dexterity, apparatus, and the credulity of audiences; yet he distinguished theatrical illusion from dishonest manipulation. Sharps and Flats reflects his desire to protect the public by turning the magician's expert knowledge against the gambling sharper. This book is highly recommended to readers interested in magic history, Victorian culture, criminology, gaming, and the mechanics of deception. It remains valuable not merely as a catalogue of tricks, but as a disciplined study of how skill, secrecy, and trust can be weaponized.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.4 (11)
Includes Amazon
GenreOther
Length5 hrs 54 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 24, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Sharps and Flats (Annotated)
11CHAPTER X DICE
2Introduction
12CHAPTER XI HIGH-BALL POKER
3Synopsis
13CHAPTER XII ROULETTE AND ALLIED GAMES
4Historical Context
14CHAPTER XIII SPORTING-HOUSES
5CHAPTER IV REFLECTORS
15CHAPTER XIV SHARPS AND FLATS
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6CHAPTER V HOLDOUTS
16POSTSCRIPT
7CHAPTER VI MANIPULATION
17Analysis
8CHAPTER VII COLLUSION AND CONSPIRACY
18Reflection
9CHAPTER VIII THE GAME OF FARO
19Memorable Quotes
10CHAPTER IX PREPARED CARDS
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