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I think possibly a better beginning book would be Trick of the Mind (available in all good book shops), and this gives you a brief insight into most of his techniques, you know, a little bit here, a little bit there.

I think Pure Effect is a little advanced, I mean, I've had it sitting on my shelf for months, and I'm far too scared to read it just yet, I just don't feel prepared. Better to have a little nibble around the edges first.

Also, have a look at the recommended reading at the back of TOTM, and you'll be able to see (and hopefully understand), where the lovely Derren finds his techniques, and then read them.

His art is indeed in magic, but also misdirection, suggestion, showmanship etc etc, he fuses 101 tecniques to do what he does, and I doubt you could fit it all concisely in one book.

Hope it helps.

Anaryn xx

I wouldn't say that PE is advanced. Not in terms of methos and technique anyway. If it's advanced then it's only in the sense that it makes you think much more about the tone and style of your performance. It makes you think more about what you're doing.

I found it quite an easy book to read, and definitely the most entertaining magic publication I've ever read. There are a lot lof of laugh-out-loud moments in there. He's a bad man.

Tomo wrote:Well, I don't know where you got the impression I was talking about you for you to cop an attitude from. Actually, I do. It's called the Forer effect.

I guess you are right there! I do assume that you are making broad sweeping statements that apply to everybody and therefore can be interpreted/misinterpreted by an individual. Or if it isn't the Forer effect maybe it was personal.

Tomo wrote:And this is called assumption, very cynical assumptiopn. Yes, I do have very special terms with the site. I advertise here, so they unblock my URL. It costs money to do so. Lawrence Jones, the site owner, can give you a rate if you email him.

Apologies due... However house rules state "2) No blatant advertising is allowed " and not "Only authorised resellers may advertise - Please contact for details." or any other disclaimer. An animated GIF on every post you have ever made seems to me... well a little... blatant.



I think more cynical is that just because someone is humble or honest enough to call themselves a layman but who is:

Phant6121 wrote:...interested in the whole psychological precess that derren browns work involves...

Is on a lesser intellectual plain maybe, as per your:

Tomo wrote:The kind of books that do tell you how, I don't think you'd understand.

and

Tomo wrote:EDIT: And, as you realise the book is over £100 now but want a "cheaper" way of getting inside it, it looks like you're after someone either telling you what you assume is in the book or, perhaps want a photocopy? Either way, I'm thinking sin bin.

Well with regards to Cynical Assumptions, pot and black spring to mind... or could that be the Forer effect again :-p

Tomo wrote:Suffice it to say, none of Brown's books contain special secrets of mind reading. One's got a few rather good but advanced tricks in it, one's a treatise on performance, and the other's a mass market book. His DVD contains a very nice (but again advanced) card tricks. They're not something the layman will get any value out of.

I do not know about the Derren Brown section of the 'local library' but I have not read any of his works...

Phant I do think you have made the slight mistake of posting in the actual 'reviews' (ok and in another of not searching for the Pure Effect review/s ) section rather than the 'reviews requested' section but I see no need for sinning... (although maybe that will change after this addition


for the record I have clicked on a few links which ORIGINATED FROOM THIS SITE and have found a blurb on the book - they were selling it for $45.00 (£23.00) but no longer have it in print. I hope that is a better answer. You would be looking at a 600% mark up! If you are looking for a copy at a "closer to publishers price" - The most constructive things you can do is contact a few magic shops to see if they have any back stock. I think we all recognise that there will be an 'additional premium' due the supply and demand of the item.


Now please be told...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic17018. ... =ebay+book

I think the above posting is a far nicer way of someone answering a question.


Apologies for the bad karma people or if I read this in a few days and feel I have over-reacted

wow, the controversy i've caused just because i posted something in the wrong section. I think Hemphandle saying “slight mistake” was an understatement and for it i suspect i will be forever apologising for. HemphandleThank you for your help. I think I’ll leave the book as I have been advised against it, only “slightly”. Also I fear that I may be proving your point and may seem ironic in saying, what do you mean by “Is on a lesser intellectual plain maybe, as per your”?

Anaryn thank you for you’re interest. I have however read Trick of the Mind. I found it very interesting but I didn’t find a lot of answers. He mainly talked about himself (not complaining by the way), hypnosis, coin/card tricks and his views on topics such as alternative medicine. There was, as you pointed out, a rather large list of books in the index but I’m not sure which ones I should read. I’m a very slow reader and I have the job of trying to get hold of them as well. You are also right in saying that I will not be able to find a book containing all of Derren Browns techniques which is why I specifically suggested “mind-reading”.

Cardza I forgot you ask you earlier, you said that you can direct me to some good books on psychology; I would very much appreciate that.

Phant6121 wrote:Cardza I forgot you ask you earlier, you said that you can direct me to some good books on psychology; I would very much appreciate that.

PM'ed you!

I wouldn't say that PE is advanced

I thought the effects in their were extremely advanced, for me anyway (damn it!). With smoke being (technicaly) the exception. Some of the card work is quite skillful in there.

Phant6121 wrote:You are also right in saying that I will not be able to find a book containing all of Derren Browns techniques which is why I specifically suggested “mind-reading”.

I am very much a newbie in all of this too, but I believe Derren's 'Mind Reading' was something he has created from using aspects of everything else to make it look like he mind reads, he uses a little 'magic', a little suggestion, a little muscle reading (etc etc) to give to the spectator the impression of mind reading, because I am quite sure he will tell you, that he can't actually read mines.

Most of the time he will suggest a thought to you, and then tell you that thought and make out like he read your mind, when he implanted the thought there in the first place.

But maybe I'm wrong....

I got a copy of PE last week, and sorry to mention but i did find a 'cheaper' way of getting it, i was given a copy for free by a very nice magician i know. I would say that some of the card technique involved is advanced but not super-advanced, however there are moves that DB has invented himself that do require a considerable amount of skill, and moves such as the Tenkai palm etc.

The book is an absolute joy to read, and you can see him forming the basis for the kind of magic he performs today, however i would be hasty about paying the asking price some people have in mind.

The mixture of techniques that Derren uses for his 'mind reading' are his own blend and I don't think he's going to disclose those for quite a while.
Whether you actually perform the effects in Pure Effect or not, the book is a pleasure to read and does show a bit how the man thinks.

I find effects like 'Smoke' too linked to DB's style for me to perform, but reading the ingeniuos methods inspires me in my own creativity.

The current asking price for this book is ridiculous. I should imagine it will be reprinted at some point, so the only person then who'd pay a silly amount for a first edition is an avid book collector, whereas I assume many of the people on this forum want the book for the information it contains.

It is a great read, but for the current asking price you could buy a handful of just as good magic books.

Hey guys sorry to bump an old thread but for anyone who is interested there is a copy of this book for sale on eBay. The last time I checked the bid was £41

The Book
A mixture bag of bits and pieces. Is split into three sections. Practical, Magical Artistry (card effects) and Direct Mindreading.

Cost
Mine is a borrowed copy, but on ebay about £100.


Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
Different techniques. Varies from 1 - 5. "perfect Coin reading" being one of the easiest to the three card routine being (imo) the most complex.


Review
A lot of dry humour is spattered through the book, which is often a welcome release from the intense descriptions of some effects.
Mostly the book discussess performance technique, and has some good basic lessons, for any magician... etc, of any level.
Although the later editions do not contain lift and reminiscance, the basis of these effects i have found in other books so am fairly aware of their workings. Point im trying to say is the book is just as good with or without the "special bits" only in the 1st edition.



Overall
A pleasing book, the writing is fantastic and flows nicely, then a humourous remark will catch you off balance and make you re-read the same bit (sublim? hmmmm). Although i had no knowledge of working magic, or even basic magic when i read this, i was unable to fully make use of it, but i do believe the principles outlined have set me in good stead and without reading this book, i might have been more "trick" happy rather than trying to create something.

Just as an add note, this book goes wonderfully well with the international lecture dvd. And you can see the visuals of effects explained.

Overall for me a 10.

hello new to this forum but as Phd Psychology student I am v interested in any books you can recommend in the Derren/subliminal suggestion area? I sounds like Cardza may be able to help...

rabhickey wrote:hello new to this forum but as Phd Psychology student I am v interested in any books you can recommend in the Derren/subliminal suggestion area? I sounds like Cardza may be able to help...

I also do psychology as a degree, and as a magician as well I believe that I better tell you very quickly that about 90% of what derren does is via sleight of hand/magical means - just built up as psychology.

If you are after psychology books on persuasion I'd recomend staying away from Derren's books.

Take a look at "The art of deception" or "The lucifer effect" - much more worthwhile for a psychology student, depending on if you are after the social side, or real world stuff

and good reads as well!

Is a great book.

I bought it for the original sensible price, i think it was around £35 back then, and i even got my copy signed after going to a live performance.

Really worth a read.
BUT, for the prices its going for now, I'd be lying to say it's not overpriced.

But, depends on if you are a collector or not.
No doubt at all that Derren has been an adrenalin injection to the world of Mentalism. So it's a piece of history.

Its very well written, funny, intelligent and compelling.
But, it's still just a book.

I'm going to hang on to mine as no doubt the prices will keep rising.
BUT, I'd suggest if you are short on cash, spend your money elsewhere.

Just glad I got mine when they were being sold at sensible prices.

Try this and tell me if it's any good http://www.emagictricks.co.uk/Pure_Effe ... Brown.html