talkmagic.co.uk

Hey, I just want to say thank you very much for putting this together, I can't wait to get started! 13 Steps To Mentalism and Practical Mental Magic are on their way. Luckily I saw this before having ordered too much wrong stuff, I'll definitely refer back to this later!

- Henrik

It's taken me a while to realise this sticky wasn't locked

It's this very post that actually brought me to TalkMagic some time ago (I was a long time lurker I did drive-by reads of the reviews and discussions without so much as a thanks, not because I was nasty but rather I mistakenly thought my input was worthless).

Anyways, at the risk of sounding like I'm trying to burrow up Craig's rear, I'd like to offer my own personal heartfelt thanks for this, it's been quite a good guide for me over the past few years. As I mentioned in my intro not so long ago, I started off with what was essentially 'packet' mentalism tricks until I discovered 13 Steps. Before I was even remotely absorbing any of that in (I was a bit daunted!) I came across this gem and have been using it as a guide ever since.

Oh, and the personal message at the end made me smile all day

I've just been watching Docc Hilford's "Monster Mentalism" DVD set and can recommend it as a good next step after Corinda and Annemann.

Four DVDs, six effects on each, and all based firmly on the classics (mostly Corinda and Annemann). They're good effects in their own right, and Docc Hilford is entertaining to watch. But mainly it's a wonderful example of how the classics really are useful, not stuffy and old-fashioned, and how they can be updated or tweaked to suit your own style.

Just found this wonderful site and looking about! Thanks!

I worked with Docc Hilford, Brian Flora, and Richard Webster, closely in the late 1980's. It was at this time that Jack Dean, editor of the Mentalist, got me started in mentalism. Jack lent me his books by Nelson, and I was on my way.

I spent a lot of time with Docc and Richard, so they colored my approach to doing mentalism. I always tried to be charming and friendly, yet knock people off their chairs. Mentalism was a real treat for me simply because I didn't have time to learn intricate sleights, but I could speak well and was well versed in performing at that time.

Because of my work with Brian Flora, i got to become friends with Tony Andruzzi at that time as well. Ha! Think of the conversations I had with Andruzzi, Webster, and Hilford all at the same table over dinner!

In any case, I got to learn the value of simplicity, guts, and theater. You've got to have these elements to be successful in mentalism.

Warmly,

Millard

Yes indeed Millard. I have studied your work. Indeed I even have a video and various audiocassettes featuring you.

I understand you have now become the Canadian Prime Minister and I congratulate you on it.

I assume you will know what I am talking about even if nobody else does.

Hey Millard, welcome!

MWGrubb wrote:Just found this wonderful site and looking about! Thanks!

I worked with Docc Hilford, Brian Flora, and Richard Webster, closely in the late 1980's. It was at this time that Jack Dean, editor of the Mentalist, got me started in mentalism. Jack lent me his books by Nelson, and I was on my way.

I spent a lot of time with Docc and Richard, so they colored my approach to doing mentalism. I always tried to be charming and friendly, yet knock people off their chairs. Mentalism was a real treat for me simply because I didn't have time to learn intricate sleights, but I could speak well and was well versed in performing at that time.

Because of my work with Brian Flora, i got to become friends with Tony Andruzzi at that time as well. Ha! Think of the conversations I had with Andruzzi, Webster, and Hilford all at the same table over dinner!

In any case, I got to learn the value of simplicity, guts, and theater. You've got to have these elements to be successful in mentalism.

Warmly,

Millard

Nice one!

Wow.........it's really interesting,I appreciate with that.




Thanks



Regards
Nancy


Leaders Made Note Born

Thanks for posting this.
I've already read a lot of the books but lately I've been looking for more reading material on the subject, and so it's nice to see some recommendations

I'm re-restarting my interest in this magic and mentalism lark after a number of false starts and though I've owned 13 Steps to Mentalism for a number of years now, I have felt a little daunted by the sheer scale of the book.

This looks like it'll make things much more manageable. I've recently bought Beyond Mentalism 3 as an easy, ready-to-use mentalist tool, and also forked out for the Submodalities DVD that was released for BM2. My modest performances appear to have whetted the appetite of my friends and family and have certainly given a fresh boost to my confidence (I especially like the Jazz Mentalism effect).

So, now I look forward to getting back into Corinda with renewed zeal and the aid of Craig's very generous guide.

Cheers!

This is such an excellent resource; possibly the best on this forum. Craig we are all indebted to you for the work you put in on this.

I do have to niggle on one point; the notion that sceptics are equivocal to cynics. As a sceptic myself I find it to be quite a hurtful insinuation. I am not cynical at all; I'm very excited about the world. I'm just more excited about the sciencey stuff than the magickey stuff. I mean compared to the inherent natural beauty of things like evolution, physics, biology and all that, notions of creator gods and psychics and such flim-flam seem a bit beige, don't you think?

But that's neither here or there really; we all have different beliefs and should all be protected in our rights to maintain and express those beliefs. But let's not descend to political framing in an attempt to equate the questioning of superstition with closed-minded cynicism. I am reminded at this point of noted sceptic Tim Minchin: "science adjusts its views based one what's observed; faith is the denial of observation so that belief can be preserved".

Oh and I don't think Rowland is especially cynical. And I don't understand people who take the "Psychic Baiting" chapter seriously; it's quite clearly tongue-in-cheek.

gwh123 wrote:Oh and I don't think Rowland is especially cynical. And I don't understand people who take the "Psychic Baiting" chapter seriously; it's quite clearly tongue-in-cheek.

Actually it's not so clear, especially given the number of idiots that have taken the suggestions to heart and go out giving people a hard time. While I appreciate your kudos we'll have to disagree on Mr. Rowland's position on things; he's never relied on Reading work as a means of livelihood, he walked into that world with preconceived views rather than an honest desire to learn and BE A PART of things.

This is a path we needn't go down.

Ian Rowland knows as much about psychic readings as I do about the art of breeding Japanese butterflies.

Thank you very much Craig, this was truly a great gift. I've been doing Bizarre and Mentalism for around 4 years and wish I'd had this at the start. This will help me greatly to progress further. Thank you again, so so much!!

mark lewis wrote:Ian Rowland knows as much about psychic readings as I do about the art of breeding Japanese butterflies.

But I thought you were make silk purses Mark. . . back when you were living on the pig farm