It's All in the Cards: Tarot Reading Made Easy (Paperback)

by John Mangiapane (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For nonexperts who want simple answers to their pressing questions on life, love, work, and the future, this unique approach to Tarot is the most accessible introduction ever. Author John Mangiapane discovered his special method of reading the cards after years of teaching experience, and it’s both practical and appealing. Begin by meditating on the cards and recording what they say to you. Then, determine the benefits of using various types of spreads; you’ll even learn how to come up with your own designs. Go card-by-card through the Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and Court Cards to see what insights each offers. And check out “Tinseltown Tarot”—a list of cards and the celebrities they personify. It’s fun and revealing too!

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (May 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402709862
• ISBN-13: 978-1402709869
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #225,384 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's All in the Cards: Tarot Reading Made Easy, May 14, 2004

By	MeeWah Reynolds (Virginia Beach, VA United States) - See all my reviews

Tarot reading is indeed made easy in this new book by first-time author, John Mangiapane. In a down-to-earth, conversational language laced with humour, the author has distilled the essence of his own experiences with the Tarot and also from his classroom experiences as a teacher of Tarot.

From explaining the four main areas of the life where most people want advice or clarity to the use of card spreads, the individual cards both upright and reversed, card combinations and more, the author deftly shares his insights. The examples included are anectodes culled from his experiences as a reader and as a teacher. Though he professes not to be "psychic", it is obvious that he possesses a natural intuition or ability for the use of Tarot as a tool for self-improvement and divination.

I especially like the organization of the contents, including the grouping of the numbered pips together by their number. That is, all the Aces or Ones are together, all the Twos, etc. This facilitates seeing how each minor arcana or pip card may be seen within its context of both number and suit as both qualities impact the possible meanings. Additional insights are offered through the inclusion of different card combinations; also that known as a "run", where three or more of a particular type of card appears in a spread. Those particular features and others are not commonly found in most Tarot books and attest to the thoroughness with which the author views his subject.

As a professional card reader who has not been particularly drawn to most books of the genre, I find the author's style not only appealing, but easily understood. Suitable for the beginner as well as for the more advanced student. The book's contents are structured so that the reader is taken in a step-by-step format towards a working understanding, almost without realizing it. This is one book that demystifies the mysterious often associated with card readings, and very expertly done at that.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars clear and easy, September 22, 2005

By	Vincent Defeo (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book makes Tarot clear and easy to understand. The author is well versed in his subject and is very witty and down to earth in his explanations. NO TYPOS!
The layout and organization of the book makes for easy reading and comprehension.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Totally refreshing, July 19, 2005

By	Claudia Picero Rogers (Santiago Chile) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a really refreshing book about tarot. The way Mangiapane writes is not academic and it doesn't have the typical tarot book wording or tone, which I for one, am thankful for.

Although I don't agree with a couple of things in this book, especially when he refers to the tarot of Marseille, this book is great for studiying the RWS, as I really don't think tou can use it with any Marseille Tradition deck or any Toth tradition deck.

All in all, a very refreshing book, great contents, a little annoying on the "you're not a doctor" thing (one time is enough I think). A book in tarot much needed and very welcomed.