Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

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Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

Postby anicetus » Apr 19th, '08, 11:06



The Effect
The Alchemical Tools is not so much an effect as it is a handbook for magicians and mentalists alike. It not only provides tricks (listed below) but gives advice as to how you can turn your magic into miracles.

Effects Included:
At The Doors of Deception. A card is chosen from a deck never touched by the mentalist and shuffled back in by the spectator. Then the mentalist removes one card...their chosen one.

Deuterium. (potentially) Think of a card...The mentalist names it.

Insightful Sequence. The mentalist predicts the sequence numbered business cards will end up in after being mixed by a spectator.

Killer Hertz. Spectators choose ESP cards and leave one for the mentalist, who then not only tells them which card they chose (and why) but proves that he knew which card would be left for him.

Also included are Paul's tips on C**D R*****G (didn't know whether you class this as exposure)

Cost
£38 direct from Paul's website

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)

I would say 2-5, as the effects in this book are relatively easy (because they are so streamlined). However, the thoughts in the rest of the book will take some practise.

Review
The book opens with a cautionary tale of one of Paul's apprentices, which shows that, even though you may be achieving claps and cheers, your magic can do more.

The next few chapters explain in detail the psycology which can be worked into your performances (and indeed everyday life) to build better connections with people. The results are staggering, with the ultimate goal being having the opportunity to see that little spark of magic in the spectator's eye.

Paul gives his advice on personas, language used, body language, etc. It is so meticulous, it really opens your eyes to the arsenal of tools you have at your disposal, but have yet to try out.

Each section ends with a summary, so you remember all the stuff you just read through. (Don't worry; you will want to re-read it anyway)

The effects are clearly explained (as usual) with a special section for subtleties. I had never tried c**d r*****g seriously, but after reading this book, I have started to try it out, with great results.

The book ends with essays and thoughts from the author himself.

When reading this book, it is as if Paul is there speaking to you one-on-one, explaining the thinking and reasoning behind everything. He reveals more than just secrets, but real tools.

Do not underestimate the power of this book. It may only have a few effects, but once you have read the rest, you will understand why. This is advice from a pro, not only in magic and mentalism, but in psycology as well. THIS GUY KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT!!!

Overall
Yes, you have to read through 246 pages before reaching an effect, but those of you who buy this book will LOVE all 398 pages of the book.

The title reveals all. This book can (and will) change any base metal performance into a polished nugget of pure gold.

This book is for the professional worker. If you read nothing else this year, read this. You will not regret it. This book is genius.

11/10

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Postby Craig Browning » Apr 19th, '08, 17:15

Let me add...

This book sold out of the first 1,000 copies in under ten days time. It has become mandatory study material within the "schools" associated with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and I believe Kenton Knepper as well as my self and several others of note. The moral of the story being SCREW THE TRICKS! Learn how to do MAGICK by following the logic and "science" Paul outlines within the confines of this tome... the tricks really are "nothing", they are in there more as to show you how to apply the system he's tried to share and too, the fact that Paul is wise enough to know that "magicians" won't buy a book unless it has tricks in it and more especially card tricks... trust me on that, more than a few have learned that lesson the hard way.

Unofficially ALCHEMICAL TOOLS has obtained the status of being one of the newer and more important "Bibles" for the student of Mentalism and/or Bizarre Magick. Most that know it are saying that it WILL become one of the most recommended classics of the craft for generations to come. :wink:

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Postby storm01 » Apr 19th, '08, 17:35

Dis sounds good

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Postby sleightlycrazy » Apr 19th, '08, 17:59

It is excellent.

Despite being an amateur and a high school student, I collected up much of my money got this. Apparently, early enough to get a signed first printing, too! :D

Unfortunately, I used my mom's account, so the book, which is doubtless going to be a collector's item in the future, is signed to my mother...


The content is worth reading, rereading, and reading several times more. There is no filler, just the knowledge and wisdom of someone who loves his art and has the tools available to make it incredible. More than just his psychological techniques, he also hints towards his performance philosophy. Personally, I disagree with it (somewhat), but then again, I'm currently making no money by performing.

A very eye opening section is the chapter on how affective a single word can be in a script. For those who have Wonder Words, Paul's thoughts on such things might seem a bit redundant, but they are not. He breaks down the important words and their effects. Very worth reading a few times.

Get this book if you wish to do miracles in people's minds. If you're happy doing flourishy sleight of hand and tricks, this book is probably too expensive to be worth getting. Maybe not.

Really, it's up to what you want from your magic.

Currently Reading "House of Mystery" (Abbott, Teller), Tarbell, Everything I can on busking
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Postby MickyScouse » Apr 19th, '08, 23:01

*Enters debit card details*

I have no self control :oops:

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Postby MickyScouse » Apr 26th, '08, 21:22

Received it yesterday. I've hardly put it down. Probably making love to it as you read this :wink:

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Postby DrTodd » Apr 26th, '08, 22:22

MickyScouse wrote:Received it yesterday. I've hardly put it down. Probably making love to it as you read this :wink:


Steady on...

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Postby Craig Browning » Apr 27th, '08, 05:36

MickyScouse wrote:Received it yesterday. I've hardly put it down. Probably making love to it as you read this :wink:


:? why is it... the fact that finding the better magic books at a friends home can be sustained by way of sticky (and sticking) pages? :shock:

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Postby storm01 » Apr 27th, '08, 18:07

I'm not sure whether to buy this now or save it for my "holiday read" in June.

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Postby MickyScouse » Apr 28th, '08, 14:40

I'm sure if you've read the book and had it signed you'll understand what I mean by 'making love to'.

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Postby storm01 » Apr 28th, '08, 16:46

Just a thought.

Does this book include another piece of the jigsaw to the mother of all cryptics, and if so is anyone any nearer solving it ?

I mean come on, making somebody else fall over !!!!

Whats all that about ?????

just noticed this posting

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic24810.php&highlight=

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Postby MickyScouse » Apr 28th, '08, 17:13

I have a few ideas but nothing I've really gone in depth on because I havn't had the time. I'll let everyone know though whether it leads somewhere or not once I get round to it.

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Postby storm01 » Aug 14th, '08, 15:28

Ok so I went against my initial judgement and ordered said book.

I think without doubt this is the most informative book I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Paul takes a lot of his NLP(Neuro Linguistic Programming) teachings, and shows how you can apply them to not only your magic but also life in general.

For anyone who has studdied NLP you will already know the depth and sheer volume of the subject. What Paul does however is break this information down into easily digestible chunks or "nuggets" of information.

This could possibly become a bible for mentalists, only time will tell.

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Postby Rufio » Aug 16th, '08, 00:28

Wow... for someone who has a severe and axiomatic diagnosis of Cumpolsory Unnecessary Purchase Syndrome, I think this book can easily slip the net as it has been mentioned with much acclaim by the highly respected mentalists on this forum that this is essential reading for budding and aspiring mentalists such as myself. The more that is said the more enticing and alluring the concept of applying NLP and other areas not only to your own magical presentations, but with positive repurcussions on your course of life.

Does anyone know a place or website where i can purchase this book for less than the advertised £38 on the official website? I know I have an insatiable penchant for buying and selling items on Ebay but, alas, my searches unfortunately only reveal item desxcriptions with a certain Paul Brooks (note additional S) who would appear to have released a post apocolytpic neo-chill out CD album.

On a conpletely off topic point, for those of you into Ebay classic scandals there is a listing doing the rounds at the moment (I believe the MSN homepage featured an article on it), some disgruntled housewife is currently auctioning her ex-husband's empty condom packet and "tart's" knickers she found in his bed after returning from work. It is currently $25,500.00 US dollars. You can read the interesting item description and story of how this wife discovered the aforemtnioned items after an elaborate and, frankly, most comedic explnations one has ever had the brazen audacity to devise. Seriously... check it out by searching for "packet", "tart" and "knickers" on Ebay... i think you'll agree it's a hilarious reading...

I won't spoil the twist at the end!

Enjoy!

Rufio

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Postby Craig Browning » Aug 16th, '08, 16:02

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