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Zebaztian Special user The Netherlands 655 Posts |
There are several threads on the question Which book should I read? I open another one. Let me explain why.
Corinda's 13 steps is in my opinion the best book on mentalism, not only it explains routines - also because it is a kind of essay on its own and because of the style it is written in. Corinda sure could write. Anneman is not such a stylist, but his book Practical Mental Magic is also a must read, also because of its essayistical approach between the routines. Marvin Kaye's Handbook on mental magic is nice to read. But to my taste it has too much routines in relation to the essayism. I'm not only interested in routines or tricks, I want a book (with paper pages - not only ebook) which has a kind of philosophy of mentalism around it. Most books on mentalism are nothing more but a collection of routines (I've got several of them - very handy those are). Which books are recommended? BTW I did use the search engine of this site, so writing 'use the search engine' is not really helping me.
My mind reading routines: http://www.basjongenelen.nl/goocheltrucs/. Scroll a bit down to the English routines.
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Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1566 Posts |
Well, let me be the first, of I'm sure many who would recommend the Paul Brook book "The Alchemical Tools".
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Mind Guerrilla Inner circle Queens, NY 2670 Posts |
Banachek's "Psychological Subtleties"
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bdekolta Inner circle Texas 1636 Posts |
First Annemann did not put Practical Mental Effects together rather it was assembled from the Jinx by Max Holden if I remember correctly. I mention this because The Jinx is a very good read.
For other books I would recommend Our Magic by Maskelyn and Devant. In addition read all of the essays in the Tarbell course. Those two (8?) will give you a lot of food for thought. |
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
I think what you are looking for is the Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy. We once had two books (as mentioned above) we all recommended to people wanting to learn mentalism. With Artful Mentalism I believe we now have three.
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magic maniac Special user 516 Posts |
'Maximum Entertainment' by Ken Weber is an outstanding book on how to take your show to the next level.
Another great book is 'Building Blocks' by Luke Jermay. There are few routines between the pages, but the first half of the book details some interesting presentational points. |
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Zebaztian Special user The Netherlands 655 Posts |
I forgot to mention Banachek's Psychological Subtleties in my first post.
I'm hesitating on Artful Mentalism for a long time. I do like Bob's routines, but I wasn't sure what this book was about: a array of routines or a real book with a begin, middle and ending / one theme / all other intricate things that make a book a book. If it is routine after routine after routine, I'll buy it sometimes, but if it is written as a genuine book then I'll put it on top of my list.
My mind reading routines: http://www.basjongenelen.nl/goocheltrucs/. Scroll a bit down to the English routines.
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Zebaztian Special user The Netherlands 655 Posts |
And another reason I started this thread is that I like talking about books anyway.
My mind reading routines: http://www.basjongenelen.nl/goocheltrucs/. Scroll a bit down to the English routines.
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Zebaztian Special user The Netherlands 655 Posts |
'Building blocks' is not the cheapest book around: http://bit.ly/a9sWX0 .
My mind reading routines: http://www.basjongenelen.nl/goocheltrucs/. Scroll a bit down to the English routines.
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Owen Mc Ginty Special user not a stupid user, a special user. 533 Posts |
I second Mindbenders recommendation. I´m enjoying this book a lot!
If you never fail, you're not trying hard enough.
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
In addition to Cassidy's Artful Mentalism I would also strongly recommend his "Fundamentals of Professional Mentalism" which is reasonably priced ($29 as I recall) and is downloadable from http://www.Lybrary.com. Although it is an e-book (.pdf format) it can easily be printed if, like me, you prefer reading hard copy instead of a computer screen.
Dick Christian
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OnTiltSoon Special user Barcelona 543 Posts |
I've heard Derren Brown's Absolute Magic is a great essay with no routines...
- Joaquín Gasa Thomas
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insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
I second absolute magic!
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy begins with his book The Art of Mentalism 2. This is a detailed analysis one of Bob’s acts, beginning with exploring the logic of the program and performance details. The effects are then presented each followed by a section of further analysis and methodologies. Yes, you will learn four wonderful effects. But it is the analysis than can be applied to any effect you do that makes this section so valuable.
Next come the Principia Mentalia, Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Each element begins with a Prolouge, for example Fire starts out with Bob’s exploration of the distinctions between magic and mentalism, mentalism’s evolution and disclaimers and ethics. The Elements all contain several “Principiums” that are then taught via essay and effect. For example, under the element of Fire, Principium 1 is “Plausibility depends on context (Or, as Annemann asked, “What would a real mindreader do?”).” This leads to Bob’s classic essay “Riding The Web” which is how “I explain mentalism to the public, and it has served to create a plausible argument in support of psychic functioning. It provides a context to my act and is the essence of my persona as a performer.” Other Principia are brief but hard hitting. Bob can say more in two sentences to provoke thought than many of us can do in several pages. And I would describe his exploration of many of the effects as a combination of essay and effect. Earth begins with Principium 7, starting with how to make your effects look like the real thing. No effect in this case and it leads directly into Principium 8 where Bob examines the importance of “the little ‘miracles’ that seem to occur on the spur of the moment.” Again the effect and, this time, a technique (the microphone switch) enhance your understanding of the principles. Between Principium 9 and 10, Bob describes his thinking on nailwriters and nailwriting. After the effect in 10, Bob returns to an exploration of the glue, or silent script that holds his act together, The Web. Air begins with Bob’s recommendations for readings outside of magic and mentalism and why these works are valuable. Principium 12, “If charismatic you would be Act enthusiastically” starts with how to tap into your own enthusiasm and use it to not only enhance your entire act but as a means of misdirection. Water explores originality and the evolution of Bob’s thinking on the subject, having created one of the most ripped off acts in all of mentalism. His original concept of “jazz mentalism” is broadened and taught in the context of a Q & A performance. The minutiae for why Bob does what he does and when he does are all looked at in detail. Water ends with several pages devoted to learning from your mistakes and anticipating the inevitable. Principia Mentalia is a tremendous collection of theory and effects. Though effects and essays are separate there is a synergy between the two where the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts. The next section is Theories and Methods for the Practical Psychic. Before any effects are taught we are given a Bob Cassidy bio which is highly informative in its own right. He proceeds to attack the eternal question of “The Difference Between Mentalism and Mental Magic.” While I don’t agree with everything Bob says here it is a must read. Next comes an essay “On Creativity and Originality” expanding further on Bob’s ideas put forth in the Principia Mentalia. Between the effects he writes on a variety of topics ranging from what to call yourself, theory behind using billets, a “rant” on theft, how magic has changed due to the Internet (in the form of an amusing parable) and several pages devoted to Bob’s “Thirty Second Rule,” including the story of how he learned it the hard way when he got in over his head accepting a gig on a cruise ship with nil experience in this venue. The next part of this extensive collection is Bob’s Strange Impressions, effects using impression devices. He also includes his highly amusing, and probably illegal, take on Bank Nite. But the bulk of this section, along with the effects, includes Bob’s reasoning for using props that you can make yourself, in this case teaching you how to make the clipboards he uses in his own act. But Stranger Still describes the creation of the Doctor Bob character to play those rougher gigs he has earned a reputation for taking on. Such as biker bars. Not a niche most of us would want to perform in but his reasoning and exploration of persona are highly valuable. Following are some great effects, particularly A Day at the Movies, which explains and illustrates what Bob terms his “Backwards Rule” and its importance in creating the illusion of real mind reading. And so it ends, a bit abruptly and following the performer’s motto of “always leave them wanting more.” Artful Mentalism is a collection of a decades worth of intensive examination on the creation and presentation of mentalism by an acknowledged master. Along with some of Bob Cassidy’s signature effects, many updated for this publication and I can’t imagine a serious performer being without it. |
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Zebaztian Special user The Netherlands 655 Posts |
Thank you Bill, this is an answer I needed to hear. I def. buy Bob's book now. I'm glad you took the time to write such an elaborate answer, you were very heplfull. This is going to help further.
My mind reading routines: http://www.basjongenelen.nl/goocheltrucs/. Scroll a bit down to the English routines.
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Zebaztian Special user The Netherlands 655 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-07-25 06:34, Dick Christian wrote: This ebook hasn't been published as a real book? And with a real book I don't mean a pile of paper sheets which I printed myself.
My mind reading routines: http://www.basjongenelen.nl/goocheltrucs/. Scroll a bit down to the English routines.
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Lord Of The Horses Inner circle 5406 Posts |
Paul Brook, Bob Cassidy, Jerome Finley, Rob Domenech, Sean Waters...
Those five people were the first off the top of my head.
Then you'll rise right before my eyes, on wings that fill the sky, like a phoenix rising!
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Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1566 Posts |
Dr. Bill, that's a terrific write up. I purchased it a few years ago, and I am constantly referring back to it -- all of those works are filled with amazing Cassidy thinking. I think it is by far one of the great values in all of mentalism writings.
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r1z08 Inner circle 1158 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-07-25 18:10, Lord Of The Horses wrote: Thanks for the mention! -rob |
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insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
Absolute Magic is also not the least expensive book out there, but it is filled with treasures that will be more than worth it for the individual that is very focused on the performance.
Regards, Mike |
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