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by **daleshrimpton** » Sep 21st, '09, 12:55

Reader of Minds…
Paul Voodini.

Well, as promised, here it is.
My review of Reader of Minds by Paul Voodini. ( A.K.A Paul Bell)

It’s fantastic.

I guess you want a bit more than that eh? Ok.
In This book, Paul has managed to pool together a number of existing “Tricks of the trade” and has produced a completely gaff free mentalism act.
Imagine getting a 2 hour booking at a nudist camp, after your luggage was stolen.
With this book, and the information it contains, you would still be able to fulfil the engagement.

It’s laid out in chronological order.

Chapter one, explains the differences between the various types of psychics, mediums, and readers. This chapter, also is a useful guide in identifying the character you wish to portray , and the kind of character you should avoid.

Chapter two, Introduces the “stock questions and answers” that you will use, and includes a handy dandy chart of popular names from the 1930s, to the present day.
Chapter 3 gives you a complete scripted performance guide, which leads into chapter 4. The scripted guide, deconstructed.

This highlighting the tricks, where they fit and, why they work.
Now you have a grasp of all the secrets, Paul shares with us in chapter 5, a few firsthand accounts of really bad mediums he has come across in his past.

Chapter 6, gives a good basic guide in Palm, and Tarot reading, ( and it is basic ) but by applying the reading techniques that you have learned in the first chapters, you can use them, as a gateway to other things. In other words, the book shows you how to do a thorough reading, despite only knowing the 5 Basic lines on the hand. (I have always thought that They cover all the sitter wants to know anyway.. money, health, life, and relationships)

Closing the book is a magic trick that combines both playing cards, and palm reading.

All in all I give this work, a huge thumbs up, and recommend it to anybody thinking of performing mentalism, or becoming a psychic reader.

For more details contact paul at his website...

http://www.readerofminds.co.uk/

by **themagicwand** » Sep 21st, '09, 14:24

Thanks for the kind review Dale. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to PM me.

by **Reverend Tristan** » Sep 22nd, '09, 14:09

Well what can I say that Dale hasn't?
Well with Pauls first book I really didn't want anyone else to read it as I didn't want anyone else with the information I was using.
Pauls second book is different, I want anyone and every one who is starting to do mentalism or readings to get it and those that already do, I still haven't finished all the book as work keeps getting in the way but I have taken the information in it out into the real world and used it. It works really well and I mean really well. What else can I say, just can't wait to finnish it and to read Pauls thoughts on palm and tarot readings as I have worked with Paul in the psychic fairs and he knows his onions about there subjects. Over all a good book with Pauls sense of humor thrown in bargin.

by **The Morrigan** » Sep 29th, '09, 13:22

I'm one of those people who tries to get back from a gig to my own bed no matter where I am, but when I have to stay over I have time on my own to read. Here's another one to go on my overnight reading list lol!

by **TonyB** » Oct 2nd, '09, 20:51

I got this book yesterday and I am loving it. It is a fantastic approach to mentalism - very high impact, yet very low tech. Nothing needed but a mind.

Years ago I read George Anderson's Dynamite Mentalism, which advocated doing a Q&A act without any billets. It used canned readings and was the germ of a good idea.

Paul's Reader of Minds takes this idea to the next level, showing how you could actually do a Q&A with no pre-show work and no questions. Just answers. It uses stock phrases as a starting point, and shows how shut-eye mediums go from there. With good presentational and cold-reading skills you could take the ideas in Paul's book and do a great show.

But there is more; the latter half of the book deals with one on one readings, using Tarot and palms. Great stuff.

If you want to move from mental magic to real mentalism this book is a great stepping stone. I'd recommend it highly. Tony.

by **themagicwand** » Oct 2nd, '09, 22:36

Thanks for the kind words Tony. Glad you enjoyed it.

by **Craig Browning** » Oct 2nd, '09, 22:57

The book arrived yesterday and I've spent a good portion of today reading it over... VERY WELL DONE!

I've done hands-free Readings for a very long time, frequently mixing intuitive elements with a handful of "cheats" (pre-show stuff) or in ways comparable to the Hilford Night Club Act approach but using the Tarot... all of it good! Paul's material adding to those proven approaches shared with us by the likes of Richard Webster, George Anderson, John Riggs and most recently Jerome Finley.

Very good stuff and from my point of view, sound for one other reason; you reveal many of the "legit" methods used in classes on both, mediumship and psychic skill development, perspectives that are sorely lacking (ignored) when it comes to what Mentalism is supposed to be about and where it comes from.

by **DrTodd** » Oct 3rd, '09, 06:44

This book combines a wealth of real working experience with a depth of knowledge about mentalism and readings to provide a great overview and entry into the world of propless psychic entertainment. Paul walks you through a series of easy to follow steps that take you to a new level of understanding. His experience shines through and his practical examples and avoidable pitfalls make this a valuable addition to the magical and mystery entertainment literature. A must read.

After reading this,I suggest Ron Martin's Tarot Reader's Notebook and the readings series from Enrique Enrique, then 'forget' everything you just read and go out and do it.

by **themagicwand** » Oct 5th, '09, 08:35

Many thanks for the kind words guys, it means a lot.

by **TheStoner** » Oct 13th, '09, 19:45

This sounds great - my order just went in. Bring it on!

by **Mandrake** » Oct 13th, '09, 21:07

I can only echo the comments above, it's a fatastic piece of work and ought to be on the required reading list for anyone aspiring to this area of work. To get a lifetime of tips, thoughts, advice and solid instruction for such a reasonable sum is a bargain and a half!