Along with the books that have been mentioned, I would include T. A Waters' MInd, Myth and Magick. I try to reread all these books at least once a year and it never fails to respark my imagination. Read these books from cover to cover, then read them again and again and... well, you get the point.
Greg

Though I certainly think that the T.A. Waters book is worth having, it's mostly a collection (albeit a good one) of Tom's clever ideas. He was not a performer, so most of this stuff is untested in the real world.

After one has mastered Corinda, the next step should probably be the acquisition and study of complete files of Annemann's "The Jinx" (this is where the material in "Practical Mental Effects" comes from) and Bascom Jones' "Magick". Then some contemporary masterworks, such as Richard Busch's "Peek Performances" and Banachek's "Psychological Subtleties". And finally, some good "effect" books... anything by Al Koran, Barrie Richardson, Richard Osterlind, for example.

At which point you may stop spending your money and settle down to really learn this stuff!

... Doug

13 steps definitely is the bible for any one who wants to gain an interest in mentalism as it covers some fundamental tools for any mentalist. As you can probably see from alot of the posts it is definitely highly recommened. From this book you will find what other area you might want to fall into with mentalism I then went for Derren Brown's pure effect, because I liked using cards with mentalism, but this is my one preference as I am sure others will try to disagree with this method. Hope this has been of some help to you

I finished reading 13 steps today! To my mind it is not only a great encyclopaedia of mentalist techniques, but also a magnificent manual of deceptive thinking. There are SO MANY devious things in the book that this last week I have giggled myself to sleep every night.

A word of caution, however (from one newbie to another). After having read 13 steps there isn’t a single thing in it that I actually feel like performing. Most people will recommend Annemann and Corinda to budding new mentalists, but few recommend anything truly inspiring or recent, something to give you an idea of the scope of mentalism, and what it looks like today. Sure, you are supposed to find your own performance style and framing and not to copy anyone (this is repeated like a worn out mantra), but this doesn’t mean you should blind yourself to what’s going on in mentalism today.

In summary: get 13 steps, read the whole thing (but don’t go through it step by step learning everything) and also make sure to read and see more recent stuff.

You don’t have to eat the spouts to savour the meat.

You mean I really don't have to grow a pencil moustache, wear a gigantic bow-tie and slick back my hair with half a tub of Brylcreme after all...? (as shown in all the illustrations in the Annemann book ) - But those are the main things that got me interested in mentalism!!!

Out of interest, which 'modern' mentalism books have you found useful (i.e. complement Corinda and Annemann)?

best wishes
Huw

Sorry David BUT you post this AS a newbie. If someone were to follow your advice to not bother learning all those techniques, it would be akin to the blind leading the blind. Take it from many knowledgable, working mentalists, learn ALL you can as far as technique goes and 13 steps will teach you many of those techniques. You and anyone else that does not bother learning ALL they can as far as mentalism technique goes does themselves a diservcie and prevents them from doing the best job possible from a creative angle later by restricting the techniques they know and can use.

PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat

Huw,
Modern mentalism books that teach both techniques and effects (that still build upon what you must learn from Corrinda) includes:
Peek Performances by Richard Busch, The Art of Mentalism by Bob Cassidy (both 1 & 2) as well as his Principia Mentalia series, Paramiracles by Ted Lesley, Theatre of the Mind by Barrie Richardson, My way to Mentalism by Tony Binarelli, books by John Riggs, Mind, Myth and Magic by T.a. Waters, Magick edited by Bascomb Jones and Professional mentalism by Larry Becker.

These are the modern great books but still build upon the earlier works by Corrinda and Anneman that need to be studied, learned and understood. As far as "old hat", one must also learn to see potential in something and to fit it to their own needs, their own personality and to update it as need be to reach their audiences.

PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat

Thanks for that advice, Paul. In short, then, would you think that a good approach for a newcomer would be to study Corinda and Annemann fairly thoroughly initially? And then, later on, take a look at some of the other books you mention?

I am already studying a number of general magic books (Tarbell in main, but I also find it handy to refer to other books when I need clarification of certain specialist subjects). The Tarbell course is great for giving some 'breadth' to my studies. However, I'd like to add some depth by making a special study of mentalism.

There is, undeiably, a great attraction to get every book I can on the subject (I love books. Don't care for videos. Indifferent to gimmicks.... But I'm addicted to books!) However, I recognise the danger of doing superficial study of lots of different books when it might be much better for me to do more detailed study of just one or two. Which is really why I'm trying to sort out the best approach to studying mentalism before I go too far down the wrong route...

Thanks again to everyone who's contributed to this discussion.

best wishes
Huw

My point is NOT that we shouldn’t learn as much about mentalist techniques (and magic and psychology etc.) as possible (Paul gives good reasons for why we should), my point is that this might not always be the best way to START for someone getting into this area for the first time.

The problem with 13 steps as a BEGINNER’S book is that the routines described (not what can be done with the mechanics given) are rather DULL (like swearing in church, I know). In other words, the book is not very INSPIRING for the fledgling mentalist.

An alternative is to START by reading and seeing some more current mentalism than the Steps so that you start out with a feeling of AWE and INSPIRATION, with an idea of the SCOPE and POSSIBILITIES that current mentalism has to offer. Then go back and read Corinda. So read the more recent books that Paul recommends.

As I newbie, I fell rather well qualified to give this KIND of advice.

Dear HUW,

Yes, it would benefit you to study and learn the techniques within the pages of Corrinda. The same way as you have described your study of Tarbell (which has some brilliant mentalism in it) would suit you well. The need for careful reading and study of books such as Corrinda (despite how boring it appears) is necessary to develop a well rou7nded knowledge and application of these principles and techniques. The reason that some did not care for Peek Performances was due to this. This is the definitive work on secret information gaining (billets, peeks, etc.) yet so many decided to skim it looking for tricks as opposed to read it from bigining to end,slowly which was how it was written to be taught.

PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat

Huw,

I know you don't own a copy of Corinda yet as we discussed this in a PM, but I seriously recommend this book as your next purchase.

Like you, I first read and bought Annemann but when I acquired my copy of Corinda a lot of Annemann's information became clearer. I personally think that Corinda explains it more clearly to a newbie like yourself.

Once you have a copy of Corinda, I recommend that you buy Richard Busch's "Peek Performances" as your next book. Then after that, "Paramiracles" by Ted Lesley.

A very good source of books in the UK is Magic Books by Post in Bristol. You can also get these books from International Magic in London.

Regards,
Eric.

...with so much expert advice pointing me in the direction of Corinda, it looks as though I'm going to have to take the hint.

Once again, thanks to all the experts here for your advice (it's like gold dust. whatever would I do without the Magic Cafe?) - and also to my fellow beginner, Lund, for letting me know that I'm not alone in trying to find the right mix of inspiration and perspiration!

Anyway, I think it's time that I put in my order for 13 Steps...

best wishes all
Huw

Huw,

when you get your copy of Corinda, make sure that you read the section on billets and learn the centre tear to perfection.

I don't know why some people avoid billet work, to me it's the bread and butter of a mentalist's routine.

Regards,
Eric.

13 Steps to Mentalism was THE BOOK for me, for a long, long time. I found it infinitely more interesting than AnnemanÕs Practical Mental effects from day one.
I thought that the effects were more interesting and that it alluded to more depth than AnnemanÕs. Blindfolds, Cold Reading, Code Acts,Book Test, Sound & Lip Reading, it is all there. Besides, the best of AnnemanÕs (well, nearly all - he left out Tervil) had already been culled out and published within the pages of The Amateur Magician's Handbook. I must admit to being particularly smitten by Step Three, which touches on Memory Methods and Quick Calculations. If only because few will dare attempt it.

There are some hidden explanations in Corinda for some of the effects that
a very famous mentalist in the USA shows.
Don't ask his name and don't PM me.
If you know (and some of you know)
and if you don't, run and reread it.
Lior