All you'll ever need...


13 Steps of Mentalism- Tony Corinda
Bob Cassidy- Artful Mentalism
Banachek- psychological subtleties 1
Maximum Entertainment- Ken Weber

A note pad and a pen to start writing your own presentations... Sorted!

Col

He doesn't need to buy your books Colin?
And what about my DVD ?"..

I don't see how he can get anywhere with this 2 important items.
:)

Lior

My suggestions have already been given, so I’ll just second my top two. First, definitely check out Bob Cassidy’s 39 Steps. As important as the names of the books, are the reasons he gives for selecting them. It’s an education in itself.

Second, as Last Laugh suggested, learn how to really talk to your audience, engage them. I can’t speak for everyone, but as a magician I tended to hide behind my props. Of course I got the “wowwie” moments, and everyone felt connected, but with mentalism, it’s all you. You’ll still have a few tools to work with, but if you can’t carry it “alone and naked”, you’re simply not going to go very far.

I remember an interview with Jerry Clower where he decried the simple fact that most people don’t really know what a “raconteur” is; most interestingly, some people who claim to be that, don’t know exactly what it is.

Before magic, before directing, before acting, before anything else, I want to entertain. If I have to stand alone in front of thousand people with nothing but the lint in my pocket, I want them to leave there remembering that they had a good time. In martial arts I learned that there is only one weapon you have with you at all times. On stage, my words are with me always.

I'm flabbergasted by the great advice given here. Thank you all for helping me out in my studies, keep it coming.

I have to say Switchcraft is amazing, before I read it I was scared of billets (nightmares and all, terrifying bits of card!!) but after reading it I completely changed my mind about billets. Well worth a read, and obviously 39 Steps is a gold mine of great books.

Euan

Here is a book that hasn't been mentioned but should be owned read till it falls apart, bought again and read till it falls apart again, then rinse repeat 5 more times.

the book is:

How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Just finished reading two great books
- Mental Epic Compendium compiled by Paul Romhany- made me completely re-think and re-value the power of Mental Epic. My favourites in the book are the non-gaffed board versions. This is something we should all read. This has a wealth of fantastic routines and information that will make you think about other mentalism effects.
- Practical Psychic's Little Black Book - Neal Scryer & R. Webster - what a fantastic book this is. The chair routine is a gold mine!!

I have PPLBB from from N.S. R.W. (Phew) some awesome information lies within, I cannot wait for his second book to come out.

I'm bookmarking this thread!

Thank you, Euan!

I very much appreciate your post and am glad you are enjoying the book.

Elliott

Can we just make this a sticky topic already?

I have just bought and read Bob Cassidys Fundamentals of Professional Mentalism. This is a really great book. I would recommend this to anyone interested in getting into mentalism. It has some great idea's regarding theory. It's also an easy and entertaining read which helps! It's only $29 dollars too!

http://www.lybrary.com/fundamentals-p-562.html

all the best
Sean

Oh, and I'd hate anyone to think I didn't pay for it (as happened to someone else who posted about it)

So just in case..... http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j447......ed-1.jpg
Happy days

Thanks for posting that Bob. again.

Decomp

Just out of interest has anyone took the time to do the exercises in Fundamentals. I've been going through them mentally and it's actually quite fun and enlightening.