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Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Mar 30th, '12, 17:01
by artychris


I figured that I had enough books of tricks... the last thing I needed was another one!

This seemed to be more than just tricks, so I bought it.

In short, it's great! I REALLY like this book!

It's made me rethink what I do, and how I do it, and what I say when I do it! And my magic is so much better and stronger for it!

There's a big part of me that wants to say all that I got from this book, but that would be a bit like exposure!

What I will say is that this is the first book that I think I've ever finished and imediately started re-reading, and secondly, the reactions I get now from my magic have certainly improved!

And to answer again a question from earlier in this thread, yes, primarily this is aimed at mentalists, but really the advice in it can equally be taken by anyone!

As far as the cost goes... yes, it's a little pricey for a book, but I have a stack of tricks I've paid £25 plus for and never used, this I can apply to just about all my magic, and use each and every time I do any sort of performing! In fact, a fair bit of it applies to every day life too...

I'm off to read a chapter or two again now...

Chris


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Apr 3rd, '12, 15:50
by A J Irving
If you've got a bit of spare cash hanging around and you want to improve your work even more, Paul does an audio course which is a perfect follow on to this book and covers a lot of what he talks about in AT in LOADS more depth.


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Oct 31st, '14, 17:35
by Malini
I didn't like this book either...even aside from the spelling and grammar.
The author frequently patted himself on the back,
telling stories of his defeating another magician by performing OOTW,
and referring to his book as a "tome."

I agree with the previous statements about the NLP
and even some urban myths
in the book, which the author treated as "science."

Brook claims to have a background in psychology,
but at times he mentions myths that are found in pop psychology books,
such as "we only use 10% of our brain," etc. This is not part of any patter,
this is a statement in the book (and an incorrect one, which is not found in any scientific textbook).

I recommend Ken Weber's Maximum Entertainment, and after that Mentalism Reveals.

From what I've seen in this thread, this site has the same problem as themagiccafe...
but this site is more beautifully designed.
Unfortunately, those who write 100% glowing reviews are encouraged,
and those who write a 100% negative review are accused of "being jealous,"
and their reviews are assumed to be "a deliberate hatchet job,"
before the moderator bans the critic from the site.

I really did not like most of the book, Alchemical Tools.
I also gave a few reasons why I did not like it,
and suggested some other books in the same vein.
You can ban me now, Mandrake.


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Oct 31st, '14, 19:39
by Ted
Malini wrote:From what I've seen in this thread, this site has the same problem as themagiccafe...
but this site is more beautifully designed.
Unfortunately, those who write 100% glowing reviews are encouraged,
and those who write a 100% negative review are accused of "being jealous,"
and their reviews are assumed to be "a deliberate hatchet job,"
before the moderator bans the critic from the site.


I don't see things the same way as you do. But I do think it's OK for you not to like the book.

Did you register here just to make the point above?

T.


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Oct 31st, '14, 19:51
by Mandrake
Malini wrote:You can ban me now, Mandrake.
Now why would you assume I'd do that? If you don't like an item then that's all there is to say. As long as you give reasons and are suitably polite about presenting your thoughts and opinions then your views are as valid as any other. To be honest there are a lot of items being sold and strongly promoted which I don't like but I work on the basis that others may find such things to their taste so live and let live to a certain extent.

We're really are nothing like the green place so I'd take exception to comparing TM with the Cafe, especially with such a small sample as one thread, but it's not a banning offence! Mr.Brooke's professional qualifications are a matter of public record but I guess even those who have strings of letters after their names can be guilty of using generalisations ant times. In any event, he said some time ago that he would no longer visit or read posts on discussion forums so I doubt he will see or take notice of any of this!

Anyway, now you're here how about you nip over to Introductions and tell us more about yourself?


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Nov 1st, '14, 00:16
by Malini
Mandrake wrote:
Malini wrote:You can ban me now, Mandrake.
Now why would you assume I'd [ban you]?.....

Anyway, now you're here how about you nip over to Introductions and tell us more about yourself?


Because this was the conclusion of your reply to Brainbuster's critical review of AT:
" we’ll deal with matters in quite a different way."

And then he was banned.
But that was 3 years ago, so we've all changed.

I just wrote an intro.


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Nov 1st, '14, 02:10
by artychris
I still really like this book!

But differences of opinion are what bring it all to life!

And I'll certainly look out for Mentalism Reveals!

Happy Halloween! :)


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Nov 1st, '14, 18:48
by Part-Timer
Malini wrote:Because this was the conclusion of your reply to Brainbuster's critical review of AT:
" we’ll deal with matters in quite a different way."

And then he was banned.
But that was 3 years ago, so we've all changed.


We wouldn't know about that with you, would we? Unless, of course, you used to post here under a different name. I noted that Mandrake pulled Brainbuster up on his spelling of "behaviours", but the spelling used was correct in North America and you apparently share that location. A coincidence, no doubt, but no matter, people do indeed change.

I think there is a difference between a critical review (allowed here, but not on some magic forums) and a deliberately picky "hatchet job", as Mandrake pointed out.

Good luck in finding Mentalism Reveals, artychris. Each volume was a limited edition, selling for £100 each, as I recall. The third and final one is going to be about two years late (I am optimistically hoping it will be out this year, but suspect a further delay is likely). It's a good job the first two were excellent, but that will make them even harder to find.


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Nov 3rd, '14, 10:14
by Lady of Mystery
It's very unusal that someone would just be banned (unless they were just here to spam), there would normally be warnings and suspensions long before anyone got banned. I can't think that we'd ever ban anyone for just posting a bad review, if someone was banned I'm pretty sure that there would have been alot more going on behind the scenes.


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Nov 3rd, '14, 14:44
by Mandrake
In any event, that was all of three years ago, plenty of water under the bridge etc.


Re: Paul Brook - The Alchemical Tools

PostPosted: Apr 4th, '17, 18:12
by Malini
Mandrake wrote:In any event, that was all of three years ago, plenty of water under the bridge etc.


Water under the bridge?
Brainbuster isn't banned from talkmagic anymore for his critical review of Alchemical Tools?