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I've had to come back to Annemann and Corinda time and again as things that didn't make sense to me when I first picked them up now (with a little more experience) seem clear, so with time I will understand more and more of them.

Equally, subjects that didn't interest me when I first got the books now fascinate me.

They're worth giving the time to, but not just once.

I have yet to see a commercial mentalism effect that does not use one or more principles from either book.

There was a brilliant post somewhere on this forum that said all you need are these two books and a trip down to the stationery store.

I find myself lurking in Staples and Ryman's examining the size of index cards, the shape of envelopes, the different varieties of clipboards, bulldog clips, and business card holders.

There are so many 'anytime anywhere' things that can be done without spending a fortune.

DrTodd wrote:I find myself lurking in Staples and Ryman's examining the size of index cards, the shape of envelopes, the different varieties of clipboards, bulldog clips, and business card holders.

Yeah me too Pay envelopes are good - nice and square and they fit well in the hand.

Well Art of Astonishment, 13 Steps to Mentalism, and Psychokinetic Time all arived in the mail today...happy does not even come close to describe my mood. Psychokinetic Time is not probably my favorite impromptu effect, or at least tied with Stigmata. Art of Astonishment is a bit hard to understand, but I have already started pacticing Cross-Twist (never realized how simple this could be and always thought it was 4 cards when in fact its not ). I also have already changed a bit about how I think about magic just by reading the prolouge (or whatever the "story" is called before the actual tricks begin). I also absolutely love what he has to say about astonishment. I have also skimmed through a bit of 13 Steps to Mentalism, it seems very good, but also hard for me to follow as my perception of mentalism was what I have read in Swami/Mantra, Mark Wilson's Complete Course of Magic, and a few other books and DVD's. I have never realized how complex mentalism is and how much psychological forces are involved in it. Psychokinetic Time only proved that to the next level. I have forced so many things already that I thought I could never force, it is just increadible and a great experience. I cannot wait until the weekend so I can read these even more although I will be reading as much as possible today...if I can wade through all of these posts! These are a great find, and I highly recommend all three of these to anyone who does not have them. Steve Shaw (Banachek) is a genious for creating Psychokinetic Time and a * for releasing (just kidding, but if this had been my effect, I'd shoot myself before releasing it, nevermind for 18 bucks!).

I will post a bit more on what I think of these when I read enough to get the idea of the general direction each book is going in and also how much usefulness is in each book (some of the tricks in Art of Astonishment I will most likely never be doing, but I still have about 210+ tricks to read through).

~David

I've finally taken the time to read 13 Steps to Mentalism and it's brilliant!
covers every aspect of mentalism and is packed with mentalist routines etc.

Strongly recommend!

I've just noticed that you have to vote on the poll in order to see results. This will lead to many people who havent read the book voting just to see the results, essentially resulting in false results.

Hade wrote:This will lead to many people who havent read the book voting just to see the results, essentially resulting in false results.

Well spotted! As the results of these Polls rarely get used for any serious purpose, it's not a big problem.

Hade wrote:I've finally taken the time to read 13 Steps to Mentalism and it's brilliant!
covers every aspect of mentalism and is packed with mentalist routines etc.

Strongly recommend!

Agreed, but it deals with what I call "mechanical" mentalism, meaning that other than for a short section in Step 11, it doesn't really deal with psychological techniques.

Just finished my first read through 13 steps. Its taken longer than I thought because I had to go and re-read some of the steps again because there was so much to take in and I could see the opportunities. In short this is one of the best purchases I have made - anyone who has any interest in this sort of effect needs to get hold of a copy. The principles behind the stpes and the incredible number of effects that you get gives the phrase "value for money" a whole new meaning. I agree an earlier post that this is up there with Bobo and RRTCM for coins and cards.

I don't know how many times I have read steps 1 (swami), 4 (predictions), 6 (billets) and 7 (book tests) - and I have now got hold of the necessary to allow me to practice Step 1 for real...

Some of the Steps were of less immediate personal interest, because they didn't light my fire, aren't the way I want to go, or are too early on in my learning path. Specifically, the skills discussed in steps 5 (blindfolds) and 8 (2 person) didn't feel right for me and I will need to go back to 12 (publicity stunts) and 13 (presentation) as things develop beyond just trying things out. Having said that, even in these steps there was always something that I enjoyed.

Couple this with going through the first two Osterlind DVDs (ETMMM) (as I prefer a mix of book and DVD for learning and these seemed like a good place to start), and I think that I have made some solid first tentative steps in mentalism ..

Now for the next ones....

Richard

This sounds like an interesting book!

One to add to my Christmas list I think....

I'll concentrate on coins and cards to the time being though. Thanks for the informative review.

As I've been moving rapidly towards the area of mentalism, I felt it was high-time I get this ordered; should be with me tomorrow, along with a pack of nail w***ers (now...stop being rude, you KNOW that's not what I meant )

Many thanks to all who've reviewed this so far in this thread - looks like my reading time will be very well spent over the coming months

where did you get your nail writers from??

Im getting a boon writer plus at the end of the month.. i wouldnt mind trying an nail writer and tt boon type too.. to see which one works better for me.

Im starting with Ted Annemans PMM then Ill work through 13 steps.. ( which I sold on ebay but am buying back for a measly £12 )

Pack of 4 nail writers @ £3.99 from magictricks.co.uk - don't really see how I could have gone wrong for that price

http://www.magictricks.co.uk/shopexd.asp?code=4363

Sadly, I suspect I have to grow my TN a little, before I'll be able to use 'em

Where you getting your Boon from?

ebay

but £8 inc p&p.. supposed to be advanced technology or something.. I wouldnt know though ..

I chew me nails, so an NW is completely out.

When I used one, I used to use a boon. I think it's very a flexible solution because you can place it in a wide variety of places rather than the usual one and it stays stuck. I've got the Vernet model. It's very good at what it does and is difficult to spot being so small, but when you get it you think "is that it?". Learning to use one such that your predictions aren't that of a drunken spider's is probably the real art to them, too...