Scott Tokar and Harrison J. Carroll, from Amazon.com or BN.com.  Perfect bound, 8 1/2 x 51/2,216 pages,

with 153 ultra-clear Tony Dunn illustrations. $19.95 USD

Side-Fx is subtitled "Clinically relevant magic tricks and effects for the health-care provider." That is exactly what it is.: It is full of effects done with items found in most Examining Rooms, Doctors Offices, etc. The two authors have been assisted by a most impressive list of doctors and other health care professionals. The result is a well researched book of tested and clinically relevant effects designed to: break the ice, build patient rapport, relieve exam anxiety, reduce stress, motivate patients, challenge and entertain, expedite exam time, and add magic and wonder to the patient-caregiver relationship.

Indicative of the care with which this book was developed, each trick, riddle, or puzzle carries an icon key telling what its value to the caregiver is: rapport overdone, builder, familiarization with a medical device, examination aid, game, time saver, post-exam, clinical motor skill experiment, clinical reasoning and thinking assessment, and just for fun. In addition, a five-point rating scale gives the skill level required from 1) Easy, no practice required to 5) Advanced; needs special extensive preparation.

The book closes with a five-page bibliography of books and articles constituting additional sources and references. Endorsements from doctors are sprinkled throughout the book. Totally professional and highly recommended.

Side-Fx DVD -

Scott Tokar and Harrison Carroll specialize in performing magic for the medical profession. This DVD, created as a companion to the book reviewed above, features our two magicians tag-team performing and explaining some dozen magic effects performed with objects readily at hand in examining rooms. Rubber gloves, swabs, cotton balls, band-aids, even a stethoscope are used to make magic, make friends, break the ice, relieve patient anxiety, reduce exam time, and add magic and wonder to the medical prescription.

Youthful patients and medical personnel take part in both the performances and explanations. Experienced magicians will find the careful explanations overdone, but do pay attention as hard-earned advice is given that will prove invaluable to the –non medical person (and perhaps some medical ones as well). Again, highly recommended.