Switchcraft
The Billet Work of Elliott J. Bresler
122 page e-book, $19.99
Available from:
http://ebswitch.googlepages.com/home
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Elliot Bresler’s brilliant new billet manuscript shows how the billet switch provides an unbelievably versatile utility for all sorts of mental effects.
In his own words, Bresler states, ‘…just about any effect in Mentalism can be accomplished with a billet switch.’
The book provides a comprehensive explanation of the EB Switch and many variants. Bresler gives you 13 switch techniques in total, all of which are illustrated with multiple colour photographs using different coloured billets to show in a really accessible manner the moves you need to learn step by step.
The prose is humorous and entertaining. The techniques cover the first 76 pages, which are then followed by a selection of powerful effects, suggestions, musings, and further ideas on how the switch can achieve a variety of effects (the disappearing elephant is hilarious).
He also provides frequent reference to other mentalism tomes, further readings, and the history of his ideas, so you get a great sense of the history of billet work. There is a nice application of the flower principle from Banacek’s
Psychological Subtleties that is really superb!
The book finishes with a very helpful glossary.
If you are new to mentalism, billet work is essential (see Craig Browning’s sticky in
support and tips). If you are not, Bresler’s take on things is a must read!
Overall, this is great value for money. Loads of great ideas for a fraction of what many of the other ‘billeteers’ are charging. If you want a good introduction or more fodder for the masses, I can highly recommend this manuscript.
10/10