Mentalism

Ratiocination · 8th May 2009, 06:20 PM

I want to take up mentalism as a hobby. Can anyone recommend some good books?

Chris H · 8th May 2009, 07:39 PM

I knew you were going to say that...

Chris H · 8th May 2009, 07:45 PM

In all seriousness, yes.

I own them and have never been able to get into them to be honest, but every magician/mentalist will recommend 'The 13 Steps To Mentalism' by Corinda, and 'Practical Mental Magic' by Ted Annemann as the best starting point for a new mentalist. Whilst the books have aged a bit, but the techniques are still relevant. It's just the presentations that you need to update.

Depending on your location, I may be able to recommend some stores that may carry them. Alternatively, they're readily available online.

Cheers,

Chris

themagicwand · 9th May 2009, 06:43 AM

The above books are all you'll ever need... ever!

You won't believe me of course, and will run around buying all sorts of rubbish about NLP, body language etc., plus a zillion ebooks from various sources. But really trust me. Get 13 Steps and PMM. Then STUDY them, and they'll give more than enough ammo to last a lifetime.

And please. Don't get sucked into believing it's all about body language and NLP etc. It's not. People who say that are using it as their "angle" in the same way that the old time performers used to pretend to be psychic. It's all a trick, and you will learn it all from the above mentioned books.

Phew. Rant over!

Senex · 9th May 2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Ratiocination

I want to take up mentalism as a hobby. Can anyone recommend some good books?

That's a disingenuous question. If you were truly interested you would be posting the best menatlism books you came across not asking for recommendations.

Chris H · 10th May 2009, 07:13 AM

Another good book. Or so I've been told.

Peter S. · 10th May 2009, 06:51 PM

I second the recommendations for Corinda and Annemann. I will also recommend Phil Goldstein, AKA Max Mavin. He has several videos that are chocked full of wonderful ideas.

firecoins · 11th May 2009, 09:45 PM

you can download mentalism books at lybrary.com Bob Cassidy has many good books.

Ratiocination · 12th May 2009, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Senex

That's a disingenuous question. If you were truly interested you would be posting the best menatlism books you came across not asking for recommendations.

I don't have a lot of money and I would have to order those books. I didn't want to waste that much time, money, and energy when I could simply ask people who know something about it for a recommendation.

Bob Klase · 12th May 2009, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Senex

That's a disingenuous question. If you were truly interested you would be posting the best menatlism books you came across not asking for recommendations.

I don't understand what's disingenuous about the question. It seems like a typical question from someone who wants to learn a new subject and doesn't know where to start.

Last year when you posted this:

Originally Posted by Senex

Much of my children's equipment turned out to be tired or broken. I know I can spend $100 at a magic store and have two or three new kick ass effects, but this gig doesn't pay. I own books, and I doubt anyone would really be angry if we shared ideas for children's magic that was inexpensive.

no one suggested that if you were truly interested you would be posting the best ideas you came across and not asking for ideas.

Brown · 13th May 2009, 05:22 PM

Here's a cross-reference to another thread on a similar topic.

Garrette · 14th May 2009, 06:24 AM

Richard Osterlind's Trilogy or any DVD by him (I had neglected Osterlind for a long time until I finally took Brown's recommendations; I missed out on a lot and wasted a lot of money I could have avoided by listening sooner).

Paul Brook's "The Gift."

I'll pm a link to a long, good, recent, and inexpensive e-book on billet switches.

AgeGap · 24th May 2009, 03:50 AM

Can I recommend (again) Tricks of the Mind by Derren Brown. Lots of advice on magic and not just tricks. Best advice is not be a douche and how to avoid falling into the trap of becoming one.

Practical Mental Magic-Is it all taken from the Jinx magazine?

littlehulkster · 24th May 2009, 11:13 AM

Honestly, I think the first book any beginning magician, regardless of discipline, should read is Mark Wilson's Complete Course on Magic.

A lot of the older books, while still valid and full of good information, are presented rather dryly, are pretty vague in their instructions and often assume you already know something.

Wilson's book will give you a good foundation you can then build on through further readings, and it is very clear and concise, with the pictures really helping with learning the tricks.

8th May 2009, 06:20 PM	#1
Ratiocination New Blood Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 23	Mentalism I want to take up mentalism as a hobby. Can anyone recommend some good books?
Ratiocination New Blood Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 23

8th May 2009, 07:39 PM	#2
Chris H Magician Among Spirits Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 416	I knew you were going to say that...
	__________________ THE DAY ZERO PROJECT - http://tophersdayzeroproject.blogspot.com/ The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it. -- George Bernard Shaw There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out. -- Richard Dawkins

8th May 2009, 07:45 PM	#3
Chris H Magician Among Spirits Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 416	In all seriousness, yes. I own them and have never been able to get into them to be honest, but every magician/mentalist will recommend 'The 13 Steps To Mentalism' by Corinda, and 'Practical Mental Magic' by Ted Annemann as the best starting point for a new mentalist. Whilst the books have aged a bit, but the techniques are still relevant. It's just the presentations that you need to update. Depending on your location, I may be able to recommend some stores that may carry them. Alternatively, they're readily available online. Cheers, Chris
	__________________ THE DAY ZERO PROJECT - http://tophersdayzeroproject.blogspot.com/ The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it. -- George Bernard Shaw There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out. -- Richard Dawkins Last edited by Chris H; 8th May 2009 at 07:46 PM.

9th May 2009, 06:43 AM	#4
themagicwand New Blood Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17	The above books are all you'll ever need... ever! You won't believe me of course, and will run around buying all sorts of rubbish about NLP, body language etc., plus a zillion ebooks from various sources. But really trust me. Get 13 Steps and PMM. Then STUDY them, and they'll give more than enough ammo to last a lifetime. And please. Don't get sucked into believing it's all about body language and NLP etc. It's not. People who say that are using it as their "angle" in the same way that the old time performers used to pretend to be psychic. It's all a trick, and you will learn it all from the above mentioned books. Phew. Rant over!
themagicwand New Blood Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 17

9th May 2009, 10:53 AM	#5
Senex Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: An autobody repair shop in Connecticut Posts: 1,835	Originally Posted by Ratiocination I want to take up mentalism as a hobby. Can anyone recommend some good books? That's a disingenuous question. If you were truly interested you would be posting the best menatlism books you came across not asking for recommendations.
	__________________ I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have ever been irreverent, except toward the things which were sacred to other people. Mark Twain

10th May 2009, 07:13 AM	#6
Chris H Magician Among Spirits Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 416	Another good book. Or so I've been told.
	__________________ THE DAY ZERO PROJECT - http://tophersdayzeroproject.blogspot.com/ The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it. -- George Bernard Shaw There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out. -- Richard Dawkins

10th May 2009, 06:51 PM	#7
Peter S. Magician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 847	I second the recommendations for Corinda and Annemann. I will also recommend Phil Goldstein, AKA Max Mavin. He has several videos that are chocked full of wonderful ideas.
	__________________ Wil In Space Wil in the Haunted forest Please vote for Wil In Space HERE

11th May 2009, 09:45 PM	#8
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,065	you can download mentalism books at lybrary.com Bob Cassidy has many good books.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

12th May 2009, 03:20 PM	#9
Ratiocination New Blood Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 23	Originally Posted by Senex That's a disingenuous question. If you were truly interested you would be posting the best menatlism books you came across not asking for recommendations. I don't have a lot of money and I would have to order those books. I didn't want to waste that much time, money, and energy when I could simply ask people who know something about it for a recommendation.
Ratiocination New Blood Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 23

12th May 2009, 04:18 PM	#10
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by Senex That's a disingenuous question. If you were truly interested you would be posting the best menatlism books you came across not asking for recommendations. I don't understand what's disingenuous about the question. It seems like a typical question from someone who wants to learn a new subject and doesn't know where to start. Last year when you posted this: Originally Posted by Senex Much of my children's equipment turned out to be tired or broken. I know I can spend $100 at a magic store and have two or three new kick ass effects, but this gig doesn't pay. I own books, and I doubt anyone would really be angry if we shared ideas for children's magic that was inexpensive. no one suggested that if you were truly interested you would be posting the best ideas you came across and not asking for ideas.

13th May 2009, 05:22 PM	#11
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,117	Here's a cross-reference to another thread on a similar topic.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

14th May 2009, 06:24 AM	#12
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Richard Osterlind's Trilogy or any DVD by him (I had neglected Osterlind for a long time until I finally took Brown's recommendations; I missed out on a lot and wasted a lot of money I could have avoided by listening sooner). Paul Brook's "The Gift." I'll pm a link to a long, good, recent, and inexpensive e-book on billet switches.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

24th May 2009, 03:50 AM	#13
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803	Can I recommend (again) Tricks of the Mind by Derren Brown. Lots of advice on magic and not just tricks. Best advice is not be a douche and how to avoid falling into the trap of becoming one. Practical Mental Magic-Is it all taken from the Jinx magazine?
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803	__________________ Cool Uri Geller site by Steve Knight

24th May 2009, 11:13 AM	#14
littlehulkster Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 423	Honestly, I think the first book any beginning magician, regardless of discipline, should read is Mark Wilson's Complete Course on Magic. A lot of the older books, while still valid and full of good information, are presented rather dryly, are pretty vague in their instructions and often assume you already know something. Wilson's book will give you a good foundation you can then build on through further readings, and it is very clear and concise, with the pictures really helping with learning the tricks.
	Last edited by littlehulkster; 24th May 2009 at 11:14 AM.