The Classics

I think it is reasonably safe to say the main magician's of the past to study with regards to classics are Erdnase, Robert-Houdin, Sachs and Hofzinser. So why don't more magicians read the texts of these magicians? It seems that nearly every quesiton in magic has been answered directly or indirectly in the works of these men. Best of all; Erdnase, Sachs and Robert-Houdin's have all been reprinted in affordable formats. The Essential Robert-Houdin, although pricey at first glance is really quite a bargain when you start pricing out the individual books within the larger tome. Erdnase is 10-15 dollars at most and Sachs about the same, thanks to the Dover reprints. Certainly it can't be an accessibility issue to these texts. Those requiring translating are very readable so I can't imagine it being a language issue. Hofzinser's books are a little more difficult to fine but with a little leg work shouldn't be too hard to obtain. Perhaps a few quotes will clear up this lack of reading and studying and most importantly, of practice

"... as a conjurer, three things are essential- first, dexterity; second, dexterity; and third, dexterity." -Robert Houdin

"... it is absolutely necessary for the artist to be an expert." -J. N. Hofzinser

"The finished card-table expert will experience little or no difficulty in accomplishing the various sleights thatlie at the bottom of the conjurer's tricks. The principal feats have already been mastered in acquiring the blind shuffle, blind cuts, bottom deal, second deal, palming and replacing, the run, the crimp, culling and stocking; and his trained fingers will readily accommodate themselves to any new positions or actions." -S.W. Erdnase, The Expert at the Card Table

These masters make it quite clear that proficiency and therefore a great deal of practice are required to attain the requisite level of skill and dexterity needed to present magic properly. Magician's lazy? It's a thought, a visit to most local magic social groups will provide a window to peer through to see just how much people practice , the level of proficiency and the amount of study dedicated to the classics. Have you studied these books lately?
I haven't studied them nearly enough so I am back to the books! Specifically, Erdnase at the moment. Since those books mentioned are not hard to get and I am willing to bet that anyone serious about magic owns at least one of the titles mentioned earlie, I challenge you to go grab one of those books off the shelf and STUDY it, not just read it for fun. Have props or cards in hand and work through it. Learn something! Get good at something! Stop disappointing your audiences and be proud of something you can do.